Dive Brief:
- University of Illinois researchers created silicon circuit boards and sensors that dissolve in water.
- The findings could reduce e-waste; the technology could also be applied to the healthcare field.
- John Rogers, the lead researcher involved with the project, said this new class of technology has the potential to address challenges stemming from the vast volumes of electronics manufacturing.
Dive Insight:
Research conducted by the American Chemistry Council estimates that worldwide, 38 million tons of obsolete electronics were thrown out by consumers in 2005. Studies indicate up to 72 million tons of electronics will be discarded by 2017. The new technology has the potential to reduce these numbers but widespread adoption is still several years down the road at best, as the technology is not ready for the mass market.