Future equipment may not last as long...

--Researchers pursue biodegradable pc boards-- A project to investigate reducing the cost of recycling has produced some promising results--and a patent application--in the area of biodegradable printed-circuit boards. The Welding Institute (TWI), based here, and the British Textile Technology Group (BTTG; Manchester, England) have been working together for about one year and are now looking for additional partners to help produce an industrial-scale demonstration of the technology. TWI has been investigating biodegradable pc boards as a means of satisfying forthcoming European Union (EU) recycling legislation. Candidate materials for biodegradable pc boards include proteins such as casein and plant extensions and carbohydrate-based materials such as cellulose and chitin. http://www.edtn.com/shared/redirect?url=http://www.edtn.com/story/tech/OEG1