Mining precious metals is expensive and environmentally destructive. As an alternative, researchers are increasingly eyeing recycling old smartphones, computers and other electronics.
Cutaway view of a Nissan Leaf electric vehicle showing part of its battery array (silver boxes).
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Lithium-ion battery fires are becoming increasingly common as electric vehicles spread, and are hard to extinguish. A new approach uses an electrolyte based on a commercial fire extinguisher.
In June 2023, a fire started at this e-bike shop in New York City and spread to upper floors of the building.
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Lithium-ion batteries power many electric cars, bikes and scooters. When they are damaged or overheated, they can ignite or explode. Four engineers explain how to handle these devices safely.
The two elements are essential in everything from smartphones to space electronics.
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A researcher explains developments in using light rather than electrons to transmit information securely and quickly, even over long distances.
Magnetic levitation is just one of the interesting attributes that make superconductors so interesting.
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Superconductors are materials that can transmit electricity without any resistance. Researchers are getting closer to creating superconducting materials that can function in everyday life.
Electronic devices are not, in and of themselves, a source of visual problems. Using these devices inappropriately can interfere with the natural development of the eye, as well as reading and learning skills.
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The impact of using electronic devices is critical during the first years of life, both visually and on the cognitive and social development of the child.
Semiconductor chips are electronic devices that store and process information. Today they can contain billions of microscopic switches on a chip smaller than a fingernail.
Nickel oxide, the gray-and-black-striped material, demonstrates unique properties when exposed to hydrogen.
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The ability to store information is central to learning and the field of artificial intelligence. Researchers have shown how a unique material shows basic learning properties similar to that of slugs.
Holograms with a sense of touch are being created at Glasgow University.
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The touch screen in your phone relies on a very scarce element called indium. But now researchers have used plasma technology to do the same job without the risk that the world will run out.
Shutdowns at microchip factories, panic-buying by electronics manufacturers, and legions of workers and home-schoolers needing new devices, have put a global squeeze on the electronics market.
Wind turbines and fighter jets both rely on imported critical minerals.
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Right now, the nation is almost entirely dependent on other countries for minerals that are used in everything from wind turbines to strike fighters and satellites.
The U.S. is still a leader in designing and selling computer chips, but the vast majority of the world’s chips are fabricated in Taiwan and South Korea.
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The high cost and long lead times for building computer chip factories makes it difficult for the U.S. to reverse the steady decline of its domestic semiconductor manufacturing capacity.
Most of the world’s electronics are not recycled, posing health and environmental risks.
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Technical advances are reducing the volume of e-waste generated in the US as lighter, more compact products enter the market. But those goods can be harder to reuse and recycle.
A “creuseur,” or digger, descends into a tunnel at the mine in Kawama, Democratic Republic of Congo.
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