US: E-waste recycling breakthrough offers 95% metal purity, 85% yield

Rice University researchers have developed a new method for recycling metals from electronic waste without using water, acids, or solvents. The technique, called flash Joule heating, allows precise temperature control for rapid metal separation. The team successfully extracted valuable metals like tantalum, gallium, and indium from various e-waste sources with over 95% purity and 85% yield. This breakthrough could help address critical metal shortages, reduce environmental impact, and make recycling more economically viable. The researchers hope to adapt the method for recovering other metals like lithium and rare earth elements from waste streams.