With global population increase, and our evolution into an 'electronic device-dependent' species, there is a need for new and improved methods to sustainably supply requisite materials for the electronics industry. Energy demands are also on the increase and as such, high-energy processes are undesirable in this endeavor. On the other hand, critical materials, especially rare-earths, are under a supply risk unless new approaches to sustainably use them are realized. This talk discusses the ability to convert electronic waste into a source of these vital metals by engineering the free-energy landscape and the de-mixing process. We achieve de-mixing through a multi-pronged thermo-mechano-chemical approach while avoiding harsh reagents or energy intensive processes. Understanding the evolution of the thermodynamic landscape across a dynamic interface allows us to process mixed materials into their individual components whether these are mixed phase (composites) or single phase (alloys) materials. Through this effort, we demonstrate that frugal innovation is critical in sustainable management of waste especially where such materials are at a supply risk.

Dumpsites as 21st century mines: Affordable recovery of rare-earths and critical materials from e-waste

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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