I-Corps: Translation Potential of Electrochemical Gold Recovery from Electronic Waste

这个i-Corps项目的重点是开发可持续的资源管理技术，以促进关键金属的循环经济。这项技术专注于有效地回收黄金等稀缺资源，由于黄金的有限性质以及与开采相关的人权和环境问题，这一点至关重要。这项技术不仅减少了污染，还可以创造就业机会，帮助经济增长。这项技术有可能加速回收，同时削减运营成本。该解决方案还可能扩展到其他化学分离，如水修复，可能会影响到各种行业和环境倡议。在商业上，它可以提高效率，降低成本，并为多样化的应用提供一个开创性的平台，表明它对科学技术理解产生了实质性的积极影响。这个i-Corps项目利用体验式学习和对行业生态系统的第一手调查来评估该技术的翻译潜力。该解决方案基于一种从电子垃圾中提炼贵金属，特别是黄金的技术，解决了目前方法的低效和环境影响。这项技术使用了一种基于电激活的选择性吸附的电化学过程。这一创新导致了99%的纯产量，而不需要消耗化学物质。与传统的黄金提纯方法相比，该技术在速度、紧凑性、易用性和成本效益方面脱颖而出。潜在地，它可以更便宜50%，速度更快100倍(与几个月相比，一天的过程)，更简单(比提炼快4倍)，并且可扩展。这项技术可能会改变电子产品中的黄金回收，目前电子产品中只有9%的黄金得到了适当的回收。它消耗的电力最少(与可再生能源兼容)，提供了经济上可行、快速和直接的解决方案。这项技术提供了一个机会，以满足不断增长的黄金回收需求，同时在一个有利可图的市场提高可持续性，潜在地改变全球的电子垃圾回收实践。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This I-Corps project focuses on the development of a sustainable resource management technology to foster a circular economy for critical metals. The technology focuses on efficiently recycling scarce resources like gold, crucial due to its finite nature and the human rights and environmental issues associated with its extraction. This technology not only reduces pollution but also could generate job opportunities, aiding economic growth. The technology has the potential to accelerate recycling while cutting operational costs. The solution could also extend to other chemical separations like water remediation, potentially impacting various industries and environmental initiatives. Commercially, it can enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and provide a groundbreaking platform for diverse applications, indicating a substantial, positive influence on scientific and technological understanding.This I-Corps project utilizes experiential learning coupled with a first-hand investigation of the industry ecosystem to assess the translation potential of the technology. The solution is based on a technology for refining precious metals, particularly gold, from electronic waste, addressing the inefficiencies and environmental impact of current methods. The technology uses an electrochemical process based on the selective adsorption activated by electricity. This innovation results in a 99% pure output without chemical consumption. The technology stands out for its speed, compactness, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness compared to traditional methods of gold purification. Potentially, it can be 50% cheaper, 100 times faster (a single-day process compared to months), simpler (by a factor of four over refining), and scalable. The technology could change gold recycling in electronics, where only 9% get properly recycled. It consumes minimal electricity (renewable energy-compatible), providing an economically viable, swift, and straightforward solution. This technology presents an opportunity to meet escalating demand for gold recycling while advancing sustainability in a lucrative market, potentially transforming e-waste recycling practices globally.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.