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

该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。该技术专注于有效回收黄金等稀缺资源，由于其有限性以及与其开采相关的人权和环境问题，这一点至关重要。这项技术不仅可以减少污染，还可以创造就业机会，促进经济增长。该技术有可能加快回收，同时降低运营成本。该解决方案还可以扩展到其他化学分离，如水修复，可能会影响各种行业和环境举措。在商业上，它可以提高效率，降低成本，并为各种应用提供开创性的平台，对科学和技术的理解产生了实质性的积极影响。I-Corps项目利用体验式学习结合对行业生态系统的第一手调查来评估该技术的翻译潜力。该解决方案基于从电子废物中提炼贵金属，特别是黄金的技术，解决了当前方法的效率低下和对环境的影响。该技术使用基于电激活的选择性吸附的电化学过程。这一创新导致99%的纯度输出，而不消耗化学品。与传统的黄金提纯方法相比，该技术以其速度、紧凑性、易用性和成本效益而脱颖而出。潜在的，它可以便宜50%，速度快100倍（与数月相比，一天的过程），更简单（比精炼简单四倍），并且可扩展。这项技术可能会改变电子产品中的黄金回收，目前只有9%的黄金得到了适当的回收。它消耗最少的电力（可再生能源兼容），提供经济可行，快速和直接的解决方案。这项技术提供了一个机会，以满足不断增长的需求，黄金回收，同时推进可持续性在一个有利可图的市场，有可能改变全球电子废物回收的做法。这个奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并已被认为是值得的支持，通过评估使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准。

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.