There are many devices used during the day in which there are 22 carats -goldena among their components, which is an important metal for its operation. The problem is that when these artifacts are discarded, it is gold that can be used again, is also wasted.
To solve it, the team of ETH Zurich has developed an innovative process that can revolutionize the restoration of precious metals of discarded electronic devices.
This is an innovative method that allows you to extract gold using substances from the food industry, which is a stable and profitable solution.
The technique is distinguished not only to reduce environmental impacts, but also to the use of the materials included in the processed materials, without resorting to aggressive chemical processes.
The problem of electronic waste
Electronic waste includes mobile phones, computers and devices. Currently, they are one of the fastest growing waste movements around the world.
According to the International Telecommunications Union, it was estimated that in 2021 about 57.4 million tons of electronic waste were received.
Thus, this category of waste raises not only the problem in its management, but also a huge loss of resources, since many contain precious metals, such as gold, silver and a paladium.
Although the idea is to take advantage of their advantages, traditional production often implies the practice of mining, which are very polluted.
How can you restore precious metal from electronic devices
Nevertheless, a team of scientists created material from protein fibrils obtained from dairy products in products, for example, waste received after the production of cheese.
This approach offers a stable alternative, which can convert a growing amount of electronic waste into a valuable source of repeated materials.
The technique is based on the use of sponges developed from protein nanofibrils.
Due to the process of denaturalization of proteins in acidic conditions and high temperatures, scientists generate a suspension that turns into a sponge with the ability to adorize gold ions present in the motherboards of computers.
What devices can have gold inside
Several devices and electronic devices that are today in any house can contain gold, although in small quantities. Some of them include:
- TV and LED TVs and screens,
- Computers and laptops,
- Mobile phones,
- Digital cameras,
- Printers,
- DVD and Blu-Ray Players,
- Microwave oven,
- Air conditioners.
What is the process of gold extraction
According to scientists, you can get only 20 old computers, you can get a gold nugget, estimated at 34,000 US dollars, demonstrating the high economic potential of this process.
