Recyclable self-healing circuit boards offer hope for reducing e-waste
Researchers Michael Bartlett and Josh Worch, with their team, have developed a groundbreaking class of recyclable, self-healing, and reconfigurable circuit boards that maintain the strength and functionality of traditional plastics. These innovative boards are made from vitrimers (dynamic polymers that can be reshaped and recycled) combined with electrically conductive liquid metal. Unlike conventional electronics, these circuits remain functional even after damage or deformation. With global e-waste projected to reach 82 billion kilograms by 2030 and recycling rates stagnant at 20%, this new technology offers a promising alternative. Traditional circuit boards are difficult and costly to recycle, often wasting valuable materials. In contrast, the vitrimer boards can be easily repaired or deconstructed using heat or alkaline hydrolysis, allowing for recovery of components like liquid metal and LEDs. This breakthrough marks a significant step toward reducing e-waste and developing a closed-loop recycling process for electronics. Learn more about this new process.
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