University of Washington Develops Highly Recyclable Vitrimer PCBs

New vitrimer-based printed circuit boards promise significant reductions in electronic waste and toxic emissions.

Researchers at the University of Washington have created a new type of printed circuit board (PCB) using vitrimer polymers, which can be recycled with minimal material loss.
The innovative vitrimer PCBs (vPCBs) can be disassembled into a jelly-like substance, allowing for the recovery of nearly all components and materials.
Vitrimer PCBs are compatible with existing manufacturing processes and offer similar electrical properties to traditional PCBs.
Adoption of vPCBs could lead to a 48% reduction in global warming potential and an 81% decrease in carcinogenic emissions from electronic waste.
Significant regulatory and industry changes are required to facilitate the widespread adoption of this environmentally friendly technology.