New method turns e-waste to gold

Cornell University researchers have developed a sustainable method for extracting gold from electronics waste and using it to convert CO2 into organic materials. The process uses vinyl-linked covalent organic frameworks (VCOFs) to selectively capture 99.9% of gold from circuit boards without harsh chemicals. This technique could help address the growing problem of e-waste, with only 20% of the 50 million tons produced annually being recycled. The method offers environmental benefits by reducing waste and transforming CO2 into valuable materials.