Biodegradable Electronics

Biodegradable electronics? Is that even possible? Demand for batteries, requiring massive quantities of toxic metals like Nickle and Lithium, is rising along with concerns about pollution in China and the rest of Asia. Seems like our new technological world will come at the environment's expense. When you think of electronics, you might associate them with heavy metals, plastic and chemicals; not exactly safe materials. New research into using organic materials is getting closer to paying off. How are these new green electronics possible?

Check this out. What we're looking at is the product of vast amounts of research. It is electronics made with a combination of silicon, magnesium and bio-compatible silk. Why these materials?

Silicon is a staple of the industry and one of the most abundant elements on Earth. Doped with Arsenic and Gallium, its found in every microchip. It's a strong material and the foundation of modern electronics. Yes, it can take a really long time for silicon to break down, but what if it was cut into thinner wafers? By creating thinner and thinner wafers, researchers have made silicon more biodegradable by decreasing the time it takes to decompose.

Magnesium serves as a key metal that conducts electricity between OTFT gates that replace the traditionally toxic Arsenic and Gallium process to create microchip circuits. One wouldn't think of any metal as environmentally friendly, but magnesium is a common element in your body. It dissolves naturally and is a nutrient similar to Iron and Potassium. As a highly conductive yet water soluble metal, magnesium is the ideal candidate.

Finally, where does the silk come in? Made naturally by insects, it's a protein tougher than even kevlar. It is the key for a good bond between the silicon and magnesium alloys and is biodegradable. Researchers found that by changing the processing conditions of the silk, they could control how quickly the silk proteins start to decompose. Its the glue that holds this new technology together.

Currently the focus of this research is around medical devices.  Specifically, surgically implanted devices that are absorbed by the body once its task is done. Not only will it be an improvement in health care, it hints at possibilities for a new green standard of living. All the benefits of technology without the waste leftover. Sounds like a win-win situation right? Imagine all the other possibilities this research will open up. It’s nearly endless.