Electronic devices that dissolve in water could make it easier to create and recycle technology prototypes – and they could even inspire more sustainable commercial devices
Electronics such as Bluetooth speakers can be 3D-printed from a material that dissolves in water within hours. That allows designers to rapidly create prototypes, enables easier recycling of the resulting electronic waste – and may even inspire more sustainable versions of mass-manufactured consumer electronics.Researchers demonstrated the dissolvable technology in printed circuit boards, which contain the crucial components and wiring of modern electronics.
Using these boards, the researchers assembled working versions of a Bluetooth speaker, a fidget toy and an electronic three-finger gripper. A little splash of water won’t instantaneously destroy such devices – but after 36 hours in room-temperature 22°C water, the machines did dissolve. The fact anyone with a 3D printer can adopt this dissolvable electronics approach makes it especially unique when compared to other sustainable electronics efforts, says Lu. During use, Peng suggests, the devices could be further protected with temporary waterproof cases.But the limited durability of the circuit boards currently makes the dissolvable electronics better suited for the rapid prototyping of designs, rather than the mass manufacture of finished electronics products, says Lu.
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