- Copper news from Athens
Two kindergartens in Athens are leading a movement to replace frequently-touched surfaces in schools with equivalents made from copper alloys that will continuously kill germs, helping reduce the spread of infection between children and staff.
Read more - Copper and electricity: generation, transformer and the grid
This resource explores how generators produce electricity, and how electricity is subsequently distributed. It considers the principle of electromagnetic induction and how this applies to generators and transformers.
Read more - Reactivity of copper: etching and patination
Copper is low on the reactivity scale but reacts slowly in the atmosphere to develop an attractive pale green patina. It also reacts with ferric chloride solution and copper chloride which make copper etching possible.
Read more - Copper, pathogens and disease
This resource looks at the antimicrobial properties of copper and how these are being harnessed to help prevent the transmission of the pathogens that cause healthcare-associated infections in hospitals.
Read more - Long-term availability of copper
This resource explores the long-term availability of copper in terms of known reserves, copper production and recycling.
Read more - Copper in wind power
Copper is a vital metal in making wind power possible. Copper provides the conductivity, corrosion resistance, strength and flexibility to meet all the demands of harsh conditions, where servicing and repair are very expensive.
Read more - Copper in History
Copper has made vital contributions to sustaining and improving society since the dawn of civilisation, from the most basic tools of the Copper Age almost 10,000 years ago, through to the Large Hadron Collider, as can be seen in the timeline poster above. This resource describes some of the uses of copper throughout history.
Read more - Copper Alloys: Introduction
The history of alloys goes back thousands of years. Long before electricity was invented, ancient man discovered that copper alloyed with tin made the very first useful alloy, bronze. Bronze is much harder and stronger than copper and much tougher (less brittle) than flint or stone. This resource introduces the idea of alloys for pupils and the multitude of copper alloys which exist.
Read more - Copper and Electricity: Efficient Motors
This new resource form the Copper Development Association explores ways in which electric motors can be made more efficient and factors that affect their efficiency.
Read more - Bulk Properties of Copper: An Introduction
This introductory resource from the Copper Development Association starts to explore copper's electrical and thermal conductivity.
Read more - Bulk Properties of Copper: Density and Resistivity
This resource explores density, resistivity and electrical conductivity in the context of copper.
Read more - Copper Alloys in Aquaculture
Aquaculture is a $100 billion global industry that supplies almost half the world's demand for fish and is the fastest growing animal-food producing sector worldwide. Copper alloys inherently resist biofouling, without any special treatments or additions.
Read more - Copper Alloys in Sculpture
Copper alloys have been used in sculpture for thousands of years. These include bronzes, brass and gunmetal. This resource looks at the processes involve in modern bronze sculpture.
Read more - Copper Alloys in Music
Explore how copper alloys are used in musical instruments from brass tubas to cymbals and bells.
Read more - Copper: Properties and Applications
This document from the Copper Development Association gives a really useful overview of the versatility of copper and its alloys. It is an excellent starting point for exploring other resources from the Association
Read more - Copper Alloys in Coinage
The corrosion resistance of copper and its alloys means that coins and tokens are found which date back hundreds and sometimes thousands of years. Archaeologists use coins to help date excavation sites. The copper alloys used for coins can retain information such as names and dates, even after being buried in the soil for generations.
Read more - Copper Development Association Resources
The very popular Copper Development Association resources have now been expanded and updated. They are now available to download as Zip folders of interactive PDF files.
Read more - Copper - properties and uses
The chemical and physical properties of copper.
Read more - Copper - Electric Motor
A basic introduction to the DC motor
Read more - Copper and Electromagnets
Copper coils create the magnetic field in electromagnets
Read more - Copper - The Friendly Metal
A cartoon story showing the surprising impact of copper in our everyday lives.
Read more - Copper and Electricity
A detailed study of the role of copper in electrical motors, transformers, transmission through the grid. Resistance, resistivity and drift velocity are covered in detail.
Read more - Copper Extraction
An introduction to the extraction, purification and recycling of copper.
Read more - Copper for Life
Looking at the biological side of copper as a micronutrient and anti-bacterial agent.
Read more - Copper in Health
A detailed study of the importance of copper as a trace element in our diet, with interactive graphics showing how it is involved in our physiology.
Read more - Copper Mining
A guide to the mechanics, chemistry and electrochemistry of commercial copper extraction.
Read more - Copper Recycling and Sustainability
Copper is one of the most recyclable metals. This e-source looks at the science and environmental benefits behind recycling.
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