Gold in UPS RFID Tags!

[PlainsScrapper]

I have been reading that RFID labels have started to be used in the packages that UPS sends out, which helps reduce the work needed to track the progress of shipments. So just out of curiosity, I decided to peel one of these smart labels apart, and sure enough, they did indeed have the signature aluminum foil antenna! I was curious about the small black chip, so I used some label remover and peeled off the plastic tape holding this in place. With enough of the solvent, the small chip came right off (aided with the use of a USB microscope and razor blade!) and it turns out there are some VERY small gold-plated contacts on those chips that come in contact with the flat aluminum foils! So, while I think there is far too little PM content for the processing time needed, I just thought I would share another place gold is used these days, and I'll probably start collecting these near-worthless chips just for the heck of it - they look pretty under magnification! I also plan on investigating other RFID chips to see if there are similar PMs as well, like EPC labels from Walmart and other clothing tags, not to mention the square foil tags found in other electronic goods.
Also, it turns out someone else did this before I had the chance: RFID chip from UPS shipping label - www.photomacrography.net
Hope you found that interesting