Microsoft Research Podcast Collaborators: Sustainable electronics with Jake Smith and Aniruddh Vashisth
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Jul 11, 2024 Jake Smith, a Senior researcher at Microsoft focusing on sustainable electronics, and Aniruddh Vashisth, an Assistant professor of mechanical engineering, delve into the environmental impact of printed circuit boards. They discuss innovative vitrimer-based designs that promise recyclability and mechanical efficiency. The conversation highlights the integration of AI to enhance material properties, the challenges of e-waste, and the importance of collaboration in developing sustainable solutions for the tech industry.
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Standard PCB Materials and Limits
- Printed circuit boards (PCBs) use various materials, with FR4 being the standard polymer composite.
- FR4 is flame retardant but not recyclable, which motivates the search for sustainable alternatives.
Circular Economy and E-Waste Challenge
- Circular economy aims to avoid waste; for unavoidable materials, it focuses on recapturing and upcycling.
- E-waste recycling focuses on reclaiming metals, but leftover plastics remain a challenge, motivating sustainable polymer design.
Collaboration Sparked by Shared Vision
- Aniruddh met Microsoft via a mutual colleague and showcased a model concept to find vitrimers from desired properties.
- This led to a fruitful, years-long collaboration with Jake Smith and Microsoft colleagues.