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Virginia Tech Unveils Recyclable, Self-Healing Circuit Board to Curb E-Waste

The vitrimer circuit material combines liquid metal conductivity with heat-activated self-repair; it disassembles through alkaline hydrolysis to recover critical components.

Virginia tech e-waste.

Overview

  • Global e-waste has soared from 34 billion to 62 billion kilograms over 12 years and is projected to reach 82 billion kilograms by 2030, but only one-fifth is currently recycled.
  • Virginia Tech researchers Michael Bartlett and Josh Worch engineered a dynamic polymer composite that matches traditional circuit board durability while enabling recyclability and self-healing.
  • The new material embeds liquid metal droplets in a vitrimer matrix to carry electric current and withstand mechanical deformation.
  • Damage to the boards can be healed with a simple heat treatment without compromising electrical performance.
  • At end of life, alkaline hydrolysis breaks down the material to reclaim liquid metal, LEDs and other key components for closed-loop reuse.