In a study published in the journal RSC: Applied Polymers, researchers have presented a new material for flexible substrates that could help combat electronic waste.
Kapton, which is currently used, has many advantages, but it cannot be recycled and reused. The new material hardens when exposed to ultraviolet light and can be processed at room temperature, allowing more complex devices to be created.
The researchers added subunits to the new material that allow valuable metals to be extracted from chips and microchips for reuse. The ether groups that the new material contains make it easier to use and recycle.
The researchers believe that using the new material could lead to economic and environmental benefits because valuable components can be reused, reducing the need for rare earth minerals. The scientists also note that such a material could help address the shortage of microchips and materials.
The research was conducted by a team of scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Utah with the support of the University of Utah Startup Fund.
The researchers added subunits to the new material that allow valuable metals to be extracted from chips and microchips for reuse. The ether groups that the new material contains make it easier to use and recycle.
The researchers believe that using the new material could lead to economic and environmental benefits because valuable components can be reused, reducing the need for rare earth minerals. The scientists also note that such a material could help address the shortage of microchips and materials.
The research was conducted by a team of scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Utah with the support of the University of Utah Startup Fund.