Olympic medals from old gadgets

The champions of the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver will celebrate their victory with gadgets around their necks. The Canadian Mint selected Teck Resources as a metal supplier for medals, which specializes in the processing of so-called “e-waste”. They mine gold, silver and other precious metals from cathode tubes, batteries, microchips, keyboards and discarded gadgets.



As part of the Olympic order, Teck Resources will supply the mint with 2.05 kg of gold, as well as 1950 kg of silver and 903 kg of copper. At the same time, metals from electronic waste will be 1.52% gold, 0.122% silver and 1.11% copper.

In total, more than a thousand medals will be made. Why do we need almost three tons of metal, that is, 3 kg per medal - it is not entirely clear, the figures are taken from the official press release and there is hardly any mistake. Apparently, difficult technical process.
')
The geekiness of the medals does not end there. The fact is that the rounders themselves are not flat, but have a shape arched by an incomprehensible formula.



According to legend, the curved shape embodies ocean waves, snow drifts and the mountainous landscape of Vancouver.

If interested, the video shows in full detail the process of recycling "electronic waste".



via Crave