New circuit boards can be repeatedly recycled
>formatting linkSource:
> University of Washington
>Summary:
> Researchers have developed a new PCB that performs on par with traditional materials
> and can be recycled repeatedly with negligible material loss.
> Researchers used a solvent that transforms a type of vitrimer
> -- a cutting-edge class of polymer -- into a jelly-like substance without damage,
> allowing solid components to be plucked out for reuse or recycling.
> With these 'vPCBs' (vitrimer printed circuit boards), researchers recovered 98% of the vitrimer and 100% of the glass fiber.
and 91% of the solvent. I wonder how much solvent it needs, and where did the other 9% go.
I'd expect that e-waste is mostly packaging and heat sinks and line cords and LCDs, not so much PCBs. My PC here might be a couple per cent PCBs by weight, and less by volume. A big TV or microwave oven, even less.