Display: Michael Faraday’s gold colloids
This event is part of the Royal Society's Summer Science Exhibition 2025.
Learn about one of the earliest known examples of nanoscience: Michael Faraday’s gold colloid solutions, preserved in the archive of the Royal Institution (Ri).
These remarkable ruby-red liquids - displayed alongside the NanoGlow: lighting up a sustainable future exhibit - owe their colour to tiny gold particles suspended in solution. This is the first recorded example of nanoparticles in history. Amazingly, the bottles have remained sealed and unopened since Faraday himself prepared them in 1856 in his Ri laboratory.
Don’t miss this rare chance to see one of the most scientifically significant artefacts in the history of nanoscience, on display at this year’s Summer Science Exhibition. While you're there, take the opportunity to explore the Royal Institution’s extraordinary scientific heritage.
Attending the event
The display will be available during the Summer Science Exhibition opening times.
- Free to attend, no ticket required
- Suitable for all ages
- Travel and accessibility information and details on planning your visit - contact us directly to arrange any specific accessibility requirements
- Food and drink will be available for purchase at our onsite café
For all enquiries, please email us.