Smartwatches and fitness trackers, for example, are difficult to deconstruct and recycle. As a result, when a new model is released, most consumers dispose of their old devices in hazardous waste streams. Unfortunately, this goes for many of the electronic sectors. Whether it’s a new iron or the latest online game, it’s all becoming a problem. Researchers have developed a two-metal nanocomposite for circuits that disintegrates when submerged in water, according to a study published in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. The circuits were presented in a prototype transitory device, which was a working smartwatch that disintegrated in 40 hours.
Due to planned obsolescence and the rapid pace of technological advancements, new devices are constantly replacing older models, resulting in millions of tons of electronic waste generated each year. Recycling can help minimize the amount of e-waste produced and is required in many countries. On the other hand, small consumer electronics are generally not worth the effort to recycle because their pieces must be rescued by hand. However, some processing stages, such as open burning and acid leaching, can create health problems and pollution.
Both of these issues could be solved by dissolvable gadgets that disintegrate on demand. Xian Huang and colleagues had previously developed a zinc-based nanocomposite that dissolved in water and could be used in temporary circuits. Still, it wasn’t conducive enough for consumer devices. As a result, they intended to improve the electrical properties of their dissolvable nanocomposite while also designing circuits that could withstand regular use.
The researchers added silver nanowires to the zinc-based nanocomposite to solve this problem, which made it highly conductive. The circuits were then hardened through chemical processes driven by water droplets after being screen-printed onto a degradable polymer called polyvinyl alcohol.
The watch’s components, such as an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screen and microcontroller, as well as resistors and capacitors embedded into the circuits, were all that remained. According to the researchers, the two-metal nanocomposite may be used to make transitory devices with performance comparable to commercial ones, which could go a long way toward addressing the problem of small electronics waste.
E-Waste Problem
Only a portion of the problem is e-waste from discarded electrical and electronic equipment. Toxins released during mining and manufacturing are a substantial contribution to e-waste. Rare earth elements are currently essential components in high-tech electronics, yet their extraction is hazardous. Household appliances such as irons, vacuum cleaners, washing machines, and refrigerators are by far the major contributors to the amount of e-waste produced.
However, as connectivity becomes integrated into daily products, the quickly developing “Internet of things” – internet-connected electronics – is predicted to generate more e-waste. E-waste handling is governed by rules. When selling a new version of the same product, sellers of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) in the European Union must provide a mechanism for customers to dispose of their old household gadgets.
Several well-known electronics businesses have been chastised for lack of spare parts or updates, as well as suspected built-in obsolescence. Apple revealed in 2017 that it had purposefully slowed down some iPhone models as they grew older. Customers felt this was to entice them to upgrade, but Apple claimed it was to extend the life of their devices. Daisy, the company’s robot, was released in 2018 and is designed to disassemble iPhones to recover and recycle minerals. Owners of Sonos speakers chastised the company in November 2019 for no longer providing software upgrades for some of its older devices.
What can we do?
If you’re like most people, you’re probably stumped as to what to do with that drawer full of obsolete equipment. We all produce more electronic garbage than we can handle, which has been a big issue for the past decade. We should strive to limit the quantity of e-waste that ends up in landfills. With the advancement of technology, e-waste disposal will become a more critical issue. Because most consumer electronics, such as phones, computers, and televisions, contain hazardous chemicals and toxic elements like lead, mercury, and other heavy metals, when they are disposed of in local landfills, they endanger our soil, air, and waterways.
Donate or sell – Selling your working devices is a simple approach to manage e-waste efficiently. You might be able to locate a buyer on eBay or Craigslist. Many of these purchasers will use, resell, or use/sell the components. Otherwise, recycling and comparison websites will give you a price for your old electronics and allow you to ship them off to be successfully repurposed or recycled.
Think before you buy
REDUCE is the most crucial of the three R’s (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle). It’s so simple to get a new laptop, a smart TV, or the latest mobile phone. Most people don’t even consider whether they require them. Before purchasing anything, consider whether you genuinely need it. Why not upgrade the software instead of buying a new device if your old one is still in good working order? Instead of purchasing a new laptop, you can repair your existing one. Being a wise consumer will help you manage your household’s e-waste more effectively.
Online Data Storage
Why utilise a memory stick or device when you can readily save significant amounts of data over the Internet? There are various cloud storage options available online, including Dropbox and Google Drive (free). In addition, some paid services provide a free 30-day trial period so you can see what works best for you.