Whether or not the impact of these particles becomes an issue of substance or dissipates as many environmental problems sometimes do, there is another good reason why the future of the metal might not be so solid.

BBC: Smelly socks raise silver stink

For the camera, a laser pulse is fired at a wall, and the impact of hitting the wall causes the particles of light to scatter.

CNN: A camera that can see around corners

Last week, a different research group unveiled new findings on the impact of volcanic eruptions, which pump vast amounts of particles into the air, some rising as far as the stratosphere.

BBC: More sulphur trails from the stratosphere

Two nearby detectors would record evidence of particles created by the impact.

ECONOMIST: Particle accelerators

At Bristol University, researchers led by Matt Watson, a professor of geophysics, are trying to determine which particles would have the maximum desired impact with the smallest likelihood of unwanted side effects.

NEWYORKER: The Climate Fixers