From electrical switches and solar panels to chemical-producing catalysts, silver is an essential component in many industries. Its unique properties make it nearly impossible to substitute and its uses span a wide range of applications.

Almost every computer, mobile phone, automobile and appliance contains silver. It is the perfect substance for coating electrical contacts – like those in printed circuit boards – because of its high electrical conductivity and durability. Painting silver ink on any non-metal surface provides an electrical pathway, eliminating the need for wires. For example, Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) chips are replacing bar codes on many items in supermarkets and supply chain inventories. The chips’ paper-thin antennas consist of sprayed-on silver.