Tutorial EN01: Materials for Sustainable Electronics

A strategic goal of social development is an increasingly efficient use of resources. Key for the future is the sustainable use of resources, ultimately requires a non-destructive resource lifecycle - a true circular economy. Although complete recycling is impossible from the entropy point of view, the nearly inexhaustible combination of solar, wind and geothermal energy sources can be the driver for sustainability for the foreseeable future.

There are still very significant materials research needs, required to be able to access and use the energy sources and make them truly sustainable, as well as for the systems that use that energy. To truly realize the circular economy given the complex interplay of materials, electronics and energy makes 100% recycling and extended lifetimes a true challenge. This will demand a development of new materials and technology designed from the onset with this in mind.

Key to these meeting these conditions include materials with increasing complete recyclability, minimizing peripheral waste all through the manufacturing processes and to extending lifetimes for end products made with the materials. Such goals can be achieved by using sturdier materials, self-repairing materials, programmable self-disassembling and recyclable materials, where all options need to continue to allow for innovation and dynamics in technology development. At the next level, materials combinations must be chosen that minimize unwanted chemical and non-chemical processes. Importantly, materials combinations and devices need to be designed for high yield, minimal environmental impact and end-of-life component and material separation and recycling.

This tutorial will cover the expanding role of electronics in sustainability and power and renewable energy production.

It will cover:

1.  Increasing role of sustainable electronics

2.  Key materials issues for sustainable electronics

3.  Circular economy for sustainable electronics

4.  Prospects for self-healing systems

5.  Recycling

6. Designing for ultimately sustainable electronics