The technology developed by ETH Zurich researchers is commercially viable and has the potential to revolutionize gold recovery from electronic waste. Their innovative method utilizes a protein fibril sponge derived from whey, a byproduct of the food industry. The researchers published their findings in the journal Advanced Materials.
Gold recovery with an organic process. Image Credit: ETH Zurich. Check the study paper for a larger view.
Transforming Waste into Gold
Professor Raffaele Mezzenga from ETH Zurich has achieved a significant breakthrough by recovering gold from electronic waste using a byproduct of the cheesemaking process. Electronic waste contains various valuable metals, including gold, making the recovery process crucial in meeting the growing demand for this precious metal.
Sustainable Gold Extraction
While traditional recovery methods for gold are energy-intensive and involve toxic chemicals, the new method developed by Professor Mezzenga’s group is efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable. By utilizing a sponge made from a protein matrix, they successfully extracted gold from electronic waste.
Selective Gold Adsorption
To create the sponge, whey proteins were denatured and aggregated into protein nanofibrils, forming a gel that was then dried to produce the sponge. In a laboratory experiment, gold was extracted from old computer motherboards by ionizing the metals and allowing gold ions to adhere selectively to the protein fibers.
Economically Viable Process
The new technology demonstrates commercial viability, with the recovery costs significantly lower than the value of the gold extracted. The researchers aim to further develop the method for market readiness, exploring the extraction of gold from various sources beyond electronic waste.
Potential for Sustainable Practices
In addition to electronic waste, the researchers are considering other sources of gold extraction, such as industrial waste from microchip manufacturing. They also plan to investigate the use of protein-rich byproducts or waste from the food industry to create the protein fibril sponges, highlighting the sustainability of the process.
The method developed by Professor Mezzenga effectively transforms waste products into gold, showcasing a sustainable approach to precious metal recovery.
Insight into Recoverable Metals
The significant yield of 4.4 grams of gold from 20 computer motherboards is noteworthy, especially given the current value of gold. Despite the economic incentive, efforts to recover precious metals from electronic waste and other sources may still face challenges, particularly in developing countries where e-waste disposal remains a pressing issue. This innovation highlights the potential for sustainable practices in the extraction of valuable resources.
By Brian Westenhaus via New Energy and Fuel
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