New Recyclable Printed Circuit Boards Can Dissolve In Water To Minimize E-Waste
What if instead of sending used circuit boards to the shredder, landfill, or incinerator, there was a way to recycle the useable materials while disposing of the rest in an eco-friendly fashion?
That’s what Infineon Technologies AG, a leading semiconductor manufacturer, has taken significant strides towards with the development of ‘Soluboard’—a revolutionary and printed circuit board (PCB) substrate.
Developed in collaboration with UK startup Jiva Materials, this unique circuit board offers a sustainable solution to address the mounting issue of electronic waste generated by the electronics industry.
â™»ï¸ We are adopting Soluboard®, a #recyclable & #biodegradable printed circuit board substrate based on natural fibers. It was designed by @JivaMaterials & the #organic structure allows the components of devices to dissolve when immersed in hot water. More: https://t.co/3yLMC5cuGh pic.twitter.com/mnWjPbSok7
— Infineon (@Infineon) July 28, 2023
The Soluboard is a plant-based PCB material made from natural fibers, which significantly lowers its carbon footprint compared to traditional glass-based fibers commonly used in PCBs.
Then, the innovative organic structure is enclosed in a non-toxic polymer that dissolves when exposed to hot water. This key feature allows for easy recycling and composting of the board, leading to reduced waste when the electronic parts are no longer in use.
One of the advantages of Soluboard lies in its ability to recover and recycle electronic components soldered to the board. By dissolving the board in hot water, the components are safely separated and can be reused or recycled for future electronic products.
This circular approach not only minimizes electronic waste but also encourages the adoption of sustainable designs in the electronics industry.
Currently, the company is exploring the possibility of implementing biodegradable material across all its boards, aiming to make the creation—and the electronics industry as a whole—more environmentally-friendly.
At the moment, Infineon has produced three different demo boards using Soluboard technology. These prototypes are already in use, including one specially designed for refrigerator applications.
Combining the reduced carbon footprint of Soluboard with the removal of plastic casings would drastically improve the green credentials of a product.https://t.co/WWSyU50mwv pic.twitter.com/qtz5gQQeyS
— Jiva Materials (@JivaMaterials) November 5, 2021
The ongoing stress tests conducted will help provide valuable insights into the reusability and recycling of power semiconductors removed from Soluboards.
If successful, this research could significantly extend the lifespan of electronic components, reducing electronic waste and supporting sustainable product designs.
[via PC Gamer and Ars Technica, images via Infineon]
This article was crafted with assistance from an AI engine, and has been reviewed, edited, and fact-checked.
