Your Old Phone? Its A Gold Mine! Scientists Unveil Easiest Way To Extract Gold Sustainably And Its Going Viral
With the planet confronting a speeding expansion of electronic waste, researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery: an alternative, environmentally friendly, and safe way to extract gold from old phones, computers, and other devices. This breakthrough approach, outlined in a Nature Sustainability paper, offers a cleaner solution to the existing, frequently destructive, gold recuperation methods.
The age of technology, driven by quick development of AI and internet technologies, is producing e-waste at a shocking pace. In its Global E-waste Monitor (GEM) 2024 report, the UN declared that an astonishing 62 million tonnes of e-waste were produced worldwide in 2022, up 82% on 2010. By 2030, the level is set to increase by a further 32% to 82 million tonnes. This mounting mountain of thrown-away electronics destroys the environment while also valuing billions of dollars worth of valuable resources lost forever, with just 1% of world rare earth element demand being fulfilled through recycling of e-waste.
A Greener Method Of Gold Recovery
The new method provides a potential solution, bypassing harsh chemicals common in conventional gold recovery and minimizing the health and environmental hazards of small-scale gold mining.
The process, proven on electronic waste, natural ores, and other gold-bearing materials, consists of three critical steps:
Gold Dissolution: Gold is dissolved initially with trichloroisocyanuric acid, a chemical most commonly used as a disinfectant in swimming pools, and activated with a halide catalyst to oxidize the gold in the e-waste.
Gold Binding: The newly created polysulfide polymer sorbent is then added. This novel polymer selectively absorbs dissolved gold from the solution.
Gold Recovery: The trapped gold is retrieved in very high purity using either pyrolysis (heating) or depolymerization of the gold-bound polymer. The polymer can also be recyclable for reuse, making the technique even more sustainable.
This method is an important development towards greener primary and recycled production. Its potential for industrial-scale use could turn waste electronics into valuable material, fostering responsible global e-waste recycling.
With the sheer volume of e-waste generated each year still booming—comparable to 1.55 million 40-tonne trucks lined up around the equator—this scientific advancement presents a glimmer of hope, converting erstwhile trash into a precious, recoverable treasure.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
27 minutes ago
- Time of India
There is gold in your old phone: New easy 3-step recovery method discovered by scientists
As global dependence on technology grows, the world is grappling with a parallel crisis—an overwhelming rise in electronic waste . Driven by fast-paced advancements in AI and internet-based devices, old phones, laptops, and other digital products are being discarded at an unprecedented rate. According to the United Nations' Global E-waste Monitor (GEM), 62 million tonnes of e-waste were produced in 2022 alone—an 82% rise from 2010. Projections indicate this number will climb by another 32% by 2030, reaching an estimated 82 million tonnes. This discarded tech poses dual challenges: severe environmental damage and the loss of valuable materials such as gold, silver, and rare earth elements. Despite their worth, only about 1% of the global demand for rare earth materials is currently fulfilled through e-waste recycling . In response to this, a team of researchers has introduced a novel, environmentally safe method for extracting gold from electronic waste—an approach now published in the journal Nature Sustainability . A Three-Step Process That Turns Waste into Wealth The newly developed method replaces conventional gold recovery techniques—which often involve harsh, toxic chemicals—with a safer and more sustainable alternative. The procedure unfolds in three key stages: by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Step 1: Dissolving the Gold The gold present in old devices is first dissolved using trichloroisocyanuric acid, a chemical widely used in water treatment. This process is facilitated by a halide catalyst, which helps oxidize the metal from its solid form. Step 2: Binding the Gold A specially designed polysulfide polymer is then introduced to the solution. This polymer selectively binds to the dissolved gold, separating it from other materials. Step 3: Recovering the Gold Finally, the gold is recovered by either pyrolyzing (heating) or depolymerizing the gold-bound polymer. The recovered gold is of high purity, and the polymer itself can be reused—making the entire method more sustainable. Sustainable Solution with Large-Scale Potential Unlike small-scale gold mining, which can cause environmental degradation and health risks due to mercury and cyanide use, this technique avoids such hazards altogether. The researchers have tested the process successfully not only on electronic waste but also on natural ores and other gold-rich materials, underlining its versatility. As global e-waste output continues to escalate—equivalent to 1.55 million 40-tonne trucks that could circle the Earth—this method offers a tangible solution. It not only extracts valuable resources from discarded gadgets but also promotes a circular economy that encourages reuse and responsible recycling practices. With increasing interest from industries and researchers alike, the technique has potential for large-scale application. By turning obsolete electronics into a source of sustainable gold, the innovation could reshape the way the world handles e-waste, reducing both environmental harm and economic loss.
India Today
15 hours ago
- India Today
Space Junk Explained: What's Orbiting Above Us Right Now?
Space Junk Explained: What's Orbiting Above Us Right Now? By: Kashmik Singh Chouhan More than 34,000 large objects and millions of tiny fragments are circling Earth at 28,000 km/h. Space junk is no longer just a sci-fi issue it's real and growing. Space junk includes dead satellites, rocket parts, tools lost by astronauts, and debris from collisions. Even a paint fleck can cause damage at orbital speeds. What Counts as Space Junk? Junk builds up from satellite breakups, anti-satellite missile tests, leftover rocket boosters, and accidental explosions. Where Does It Come From? – 34,000+ objects >10 cm – 900,000+ fragments 1–10 cm – 128 million particles <1 cm How Much Is Up There? Debris can destroy satellites and threaten the ISS. Space agencies perform collision-avoidance maneuvers regularly. Risks to Satellites & ISS A chain reaction of collisions could trap us on Earth. More junk = more collisions = even more junk. This dangerous feedback loop is a top concern. The Kessler Syndrome Radar, telescopes, and satellites scan the skies 24/7. When needed, alerts are sent to move spacecraft out of harm's way. How It's Tracked Laser brooms, harpoons, drag nets, and robotic arms are being tested to clean orbit. Most are still in the early stages. Cleanup Ideas The UN and space agencies now require satellites to plan safe disposal. Some new tech burns up after use. What's Being Done? Space is not endless when it comes to orbits. Managing space debris now means safer missions, cleaner skies, and a future for space exploration.
India.com
20 hours ago
- India.com
Your Old Phone? Its A Gold Mine! Scientists Unveil Easiest Way To Extract Gold Sustainably And Its Going Viral
With the planet confronting a speeding expansion of electronic waste, researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery: an alternative, environmentally friendly, and safe way to extract gold from old phones, computers, and other devices. This breakthrough approach, outlined in a Nature Sustainability paper, offers a cleaner solution to the existing, frequently destructive, gold recuperation methods. The age of technology, driven by quick development of AI and internet technologies, is producing e-waste at a shocking pace. In its Global E-waste Monitor (GEM) 2024 report, the UN declared that an astonishing 62 million tonnes of e-waste were produced worldwide in 2022, up 82% on 2010. By 2030, the level is set to increase by a further 32% to 82 million tonnes. This mounting mountain of thrown-away electronics destroys the environment while also valuing billions of dollars worth of valuable resources lost forever, with just 1% of world rare earth element demand being fulfilled through recycling of e-waste. A Greener Method Of Gold Recovery The new method provides a potential solution, bypassing harsh chemicals common in conventional gold recovery and minimizing the health and environmental hazards of small-scale gold mining. The process, proven on electronic waste, natural ores, and other gold-bearing materials, consists of three critical steps: Gold Dissolution: Gold is dissolved initially with trichloroisocyanuric acid, a chemical most commonly used as a disinfectant in swimming pools, and activated with a halide catalyst to oxidize the gold in the e-waste. Gold Binding: The newly created polysulfide polymer sorbent is then added. This novel polymer selectively absorbs dissolved gold from the solution. Gold Recovery: The trapped gold is retrieved in very high purity using either pyrolysis (heating) or depolymerization of the gold-bound polymer. The polymer can also be recyclable for reuse, making the technique even more sustainable. This method is an important development towards greener primary and recycled production. Its potential for industrial-scale use could turn waste electronics into valuable material, fostering responsible global e-waste recycling. With the sheer volume of e-waste generated each year still booming—comparable to 1.55 million 40-tonne trucks lined up around the equator—this scientific advancement presents a glimmer of hope, converting erstwhile trash into a precious, recoverable treasure.
