Scientists from the University of Washington have invented new printed circuit boards that could significantly reduce the amount of electronic waste that ends up in landfills. These boards partially turn into jelly, which is easy to recycle.
Among other components, printed circuit boards usually have a non-conductive layer that serves as a substrate for electronic components. It consists of two ingredients: glass fiber and epoxy resin, which are very difficult to separate from each other. This layer is not easy to recycle, sometimes it is burned, but this process is harmless to the environment and can also damage electronic components.
Scientists have replaced the resin with a polymer known as a vitrimer. As long as the PCB is in use, it remains strong, rigid, and non-conductive, allowing the substrate to function just as efficiently.
After such a vPCB (vitrimer PCB) reaches the end of its use, it is immersed in an organic solvent that has a relatively low boiling point. When this solvent boils, the wind tunnel swells and becomes jelly-like.
All other elements, which remain completely intact, can be easily separated for reuse. Laboratory experiments have shown that 98% of the wind tunnel itself can be recycled, along with 91% of the solvent.
Such boards can be produced at existing facilities and recycled over and over again. Scientists estimate that the use of recycled vPCBs can lead to a 48% reduction in global warming impact and an 81% reduction in carcinogenic emissions compared to traditional boards. The study was published in the journal Nature Sustainability.