Infineon Technologies AG, a German semiconductor manufacturer, has publicized its creation of a water-dissolvable printed circuit board (PCB). This innovation is derived from the plant-based Soluboard, developed by British startup Jiva Materials, and could potentially provide the technology sector with a fresh approach to lessen electronic waste, as corporations race to achieve their 2030 environmental targets.
Constructed from natural fibers and a halogen-free polymer, Jiva’s biodegradable PCB boasts a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to conventional fiberglass composite-based boards. A study conducted in 2022 by Microsoft Research and the University of Washington College of Engineering utilized a Soluboard PCB to construct an environmentally-conscious mouse. They discovered that the Soluboard could dissolve in hot water in less than six minutes, although it may require several hours at room temperature.
Notably, the dissolution process simplifies the extraction of the precious metals on the PCB. “Once dissolved, only the chips and circuit traces remain which can be easily filtered,” noted Vikram Iyer, assistant professor at UW, who participated in the mouse study.
The video below demonstrates the Soluboard melting in a pan filled with boiling water:
“Transitioning to a water-based recycling method could result in more efficient recovery of valuable metals,” stated Jonathan Swanston, CEO and co-founder of Jiva Materials. According to Jiva, the board’s carbon footprint is 60 percent less than that of traditional PCBs. Specifically, it could reduce carbon emissions by 10.5 kg and plastic use by 620 g for each square meter of PCB.
Infineon has developed three distinct circuit board prototypes using the Soluboard technology. Currently, the company only utilizes the water-dissolvable PCB for demonstration and evaluation boards, with approximately 500 units presently in operation. Nevertheless, the firm is “examining the feasibility of using the material for all boards,” with a plan to increase adoption in the coming years. After conducting stress tests, it is also planning to “offer recommendations on the reuse and recycling of power semiconductors extracted from Soluboards” to minimize waste of reusable components in future production models.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Eco-friendly Circuit Boards
What is the innovative product that Infineon Technologies AG is producing?
Infineon Technologies AG, a German semiconductor manufacturer, is producing a water-dissolvable printed circuit board (PCB). This PCB is made from a plant-based Soluboard, developed by a UK startup called Jiva Materials.
What are the environmental benefits of using Soluboard?
Soluboard is a biodegradable PCB made from natural fibers and a halogen-free polymer. It has a significantly lower carbon footprint than conventional fiberglass composite-based boards. The use of Soluboard could potentially reduce a PCB’s carbon footprint by 60%.
How does the Soluboard dissolve, and what happens to the components on the board?
The Soluboard can dissolve in hot water in under six minutes, although it may require several hours at room temperature. Once it dissolves, only the chips and circuit traces remain, which can be easily filtered out. This makes it easier to extract the precious metals on the PCB.
What are the current and future applications of the Soluboard by Infineon Technologies?
Infineon has developed three different circuit board prototypes using the Soluboard technology. As of now, the company only utilizes the water-dissolvable PCB for demonstration and evaluation boards. However, it’s exploring the possibility of using the material for all boards with an eye on expanding adoption in the coming years. Infineon also plans to provide guidance on the reuse and recycling of power semiconductors extracted from Soluboards to minimize waste.
More about Eco-friendly Circuit Boards
- Infineon Technologies Official Website
- Jiva Materials Official Website
- University of Washington College of Engineering
- Microsoft Research
5 comments
cutting carbon footprints by 60 percent, that’s huge! if other companies adopted similar strategies, we could make real progress on climate goals. Bravo!
im all for going green but im just wondering, how does this affect the functionality of the circuit boards? Will they still perform at the same level?
Wow this is totally rad! Dissolvable PCBs! imagine the waste we could reduce if this became mainstream, no more e-waste filling up our landfills!
Great to see companies like infineon making strides in eco tech, it gives me hope for our planet’s future. Kudos guys!
this is game changer tech! But I gotta ask, what if i spill my coffee on my soluboard powered computer? will it dissolve lol