Introductory Chapter: The Prominence of Thin Film Science in Technological Scale

Abstract

Since antediluvian times, the term 'thin film coating technology' is more captivating towards mankind. More than 2000 eons ago, goldsmiths and silversmiths developed a variety of methods, including using mercury as an adhesive, to apply over thin films of metals to sculptures and other objects. The ancient mercury-based processes like fire gilding and silvering techniques were used for the surface coating of less precious substrates having thin layers made up of gold or silver. They developed the technology of thin-film coating that is unrivalled by today's process for manufacturing DVDs, electronic devices, solar cells and other relevant products and used it on statues, amulets, jewels and more common objects.

Techniques of Preparation of Thin Films: Catalytic Combustion

“…Thin film technology is well understood and has been attractive to mankind since antediluvian times. The goldsmiths and silversmiths, more than 2000 years ago, developed a variety of methods for the benefit of all mankind, including applying mercury [9] as an adhesive for thin films of metals on sculptures and other objects. Ancient mercury-based techniques, such as fire gilding and silvering techniques, were used for the surface coating of less precious substrates with thin layers of gold or silver [10].…”

“…The technique is still in use today, although it is carried out in a more efficient manner, and is referred to as electroless plating [24]. The workmen developed thin-film coating technology that is unrivalled by today's processes for manufacturing DVDs, electronic devices, solar cells, and other relevant products and used it on bronze statues, amulets, jewels, and more common objects [9]. Today, several modern analytical and physico-chemical techniques are necessary to reveal these ancient artists' secrets [25,26].…”