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| Photo courtesy Griffith University |
Griffith University researchers have developed the world’s first recyclable circuit boards to help tackle the growing problem of electronic or e-waste.
It is estimated that globally, up to 50 million tonnes of e-waste is generated annually and that in Australia alone, three million computers became obsolete last year. The e-waste problem is so serious that from 1 July, the European Union will introduce stringent laws regarding the use of hazardous materials in the manufacture of electrical equipment and the disposal of electronic waste.
Griffith University’s Centre for Wireless Monitoring and Applications research team, led by Professor David Thiel, has developed technology called Circuits in Plastic. This technology is recyclable and uses less toxic materials than traditional printed circuit boards (PCBs).
“It is clean and green. There is zero use of chemicals during the circuit board manufacturing process, meaning less by-products end up in landfills,” Professor Thiel said.
“Traditional PCBs, which use lead-based solders, do not comply with the new European standards. These new laws will have many implications on electronics manufacturers, even if they are not currently marketing to EU countries. The expectation is that more countries will adopt similar legislation, strengthening the need for alternatives like Circuits in Plastic.”
“Traditional PCBs, which use lead-based solders, do not comply with the new European standards. These new laws will have many implications on electronics manufacturers, even if they are not currently marketing to EU countries. The expectation is that more countries will adopt similar legislation, strengthening the need for alternatives like Circuits in Plastic.”
He said Circuits in Plastic had the advantage of being a one stage manufacturing process compared with three stages for conventional circuit boards and that the cost of circuits could be reduced by up to 15 per cent compared with lead-based circuit boards.He is currently negotiating with a Brisbane company to create a pilot plant to manufacture the clean and green circuit boards in Queensland.
Last reviewed 24 June 2006