Scientists are tackling one of the trickiest problems in modern waste — electronic junk — and finding surprising value in it.
A breakthrough from Carnegie Mellon University's department of chemical engineering could change how we recover rare earth materials from discarded tech such as hard drives and electric vehicle motors.
An article from the university posted to Tech Xplore reported that the new approach is cleaner and more cost-effective than traditional mining, which can be toxic and expensive.
Rare earth elements such as neodymium and dysprosium are essential to building the tech we use every day, from electric vehicles and smartphones to wind turbines.
But extracting these elements from the ground is no small task. Mining operations can release harmful pollution and often involve radioactive materials.
Ana Inés Torres, a chemical engineering professor at Carnegie Mellon, developed a system that maps out every step of the recycling process using a method called "superstructure optimization."
Simply put, the system tests all possible ways to recover these rare materials and chooses the most eco-friendly and wallet-friendly options, adapting to changes in supply and market prices.
"Our world is fundamentally reliant on these resources," Torres said in a study published in Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy.
Torres and Ph.D. researcher Chris Laliwala have already partnered with industry leaders to test the approach in pilot facilities, one of which is now being scaled up to industrial levels.
Meanwhile, a new collaboration with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is building a drag-and-drop version of the tool that eliminates the need for extensive coding.
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Giving me money back 💰 By recovering rare earths from end-of-life products, we avoid the risks of traditional mining while unlocking new value from stuff that would otherwise be considered trash.
It cuts down on e-waste and the toxic byproducts that can seep into soil and waterways, reducing potential health hazards.
Recovered rare earths also cost less than freshly mined ones, a win for industries and your wallet.
That could help bring down the price of products such as electric vehicles and home electronics.
This solution fits neatly into the bigger push toward a circular economy, one that reuses and repurposes materials instead of dumping them.
It's the same model used by companies such as Trashie, which gives new life to old beauty containers and worn-out clothing instead of sending them to landfills.
Looking to make a difference yourself? You can start by choosing plastic-free alternatives for everyday items, an easy change that supports your health and the planet.
Torres' work is a reminder that innovation doesn't have to be intimidating.
With smart systems and a bit of creativity, we can build a future that's more sustainable, more affordable, and better for everyone.
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