Medical Applications
Silver has been known to have anti-bacterial properties since Roman times when silver coins were put in water containers to keep them pure. These anti-bacterial qualities of silver are being utilised in medical applications where it is impregnated in burn dressings and chronic wound dressings to promote healing and minimise infection. Silver is considered to be very versatile with broad-spectrum anti microbial qualities but is not harmful to human tissue. Bacteria do not develop immunity or resistance to silver as it is thought to suppress respiration thereby inhibiting cell growth. Nano sized particles can easily penetrate the cell structure. The market for silver dressings was estimated by Smith and Nephew to have increased 82% from 2003.

Anti bacterial uses
Whitegoods manufacturer, Samsung, has recently introduced new refrigerator and washing machine models which have nano particle size silver incorporated in the the interior linings to prevent fungal and bacterial growth. Some airconditioning manufacturers are also using silver coatings on the filters to effectively remove airborne fungi and bacteria from recirculating air.

Tour-de-France winner Lance Armstrong used silver coated fabric in clothing to help control inflammation and promote healing during competition.

Sports clothing is becoming available with a silver coated filament yarn knitted into the fabric. Socks and clothing knitted with silver coated filament prevent odour by killing bacteria and fungi eg. Athlete's Foot.

May of the world's airlines are using silver water filters to protect passengers from disease transmission.

Industrial Applications
Electronics applications are increasing in importance.

Jet engines use high performance silver-coated bearings. Silver is used in low current silver membrane switches in computer keyboards, cable television and devices using digital electronics. Silver is the best electrical conductor and does not corrode. It makes superconductivity faster and more effective - silver jacketed superconducting oxide wires can carry more than 140 times the electric load of copper wire with less than 1% of the weight. This type of wire needs close to 500oz silver per kilometre.

Silvered windows in cars, offices and homes reflect 70% of solar energy keeping heat out more effectively.

Silver is the only catalyst suitable for some major chemical processes. It is the only catalyst that can oxidise ethylene gas into ethylene oxide - the main ingredient for polyester. Silver powder is also being tested as a catalyst to increase copper recovery from chalcopyrite ore.

Silver's increasing use in technology and medicine is playing a vital role in augmenting demand for the metal.