We can now easily produce electrically conductive substances
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Electrically conductive polymers - such as polyaniline - are vital for numerous advanced technologies, from lighting to, circuit boards, to ink-jet printing. Despite their importance, producing these polymers is difficult due to the complex and pricey Read More...
New 2D material could change the game in batteries and electronics
Scientists and researchers are tackling climate change resilience and the growth of the renewable energy fields every day with new developments such as heat batteries and travel-size desalination units. A team from the Tulane University School of Science and Engineering has developed a new Read More...
Samsung will now make it easy for Galaxy users to repair their own devices
In November of last year, Apple announced that it will start making spare parts for Apple products so its consumers could repair their products at home. This has spurred on competition in their main competitor, Samsung, who has unveiled its own plan to enable customers to repair their own devices Read More...
Graphene could replace rare metal needed for our touchscreens
What do touchscreen, LED lighting, and solar cells have in common? A rare metal called indium, which is a key ingredient in their manufacturing process. Indium is regarded as a technology critical element and is used in the production of thin films of indium tin oxide (ITO). Because of their high Read More...
E-waste: Crucial “right to repair” laws have come into force in the EU
In an effort to cut the environmental impact of electronic goods, the European Union passed a law in 2019 that would force companies that sell products such as TVs, hairdryers, and refrigerators to ensure that those appliances can be repaired for up to 10 years. This week, the law finally came into Read More...
Bristol's Electric Avenue pop-up shop tackles e-waste and consumerism
A new shop in Bristol called Electric Avenue pop-up is restoring unwanted electronics before giving them away this holiday season. Bristol’s residents can bring all types of items such as lamps, keyboards, and kitchen appliances to be cleaned, repaired, safety checked, and most importantly, Read More...
Shareholder pressure leads to right-to-repair evaluation at major tech company
The EU and the UK have both recently expanded right to repair laws aimed at reducing e-waste and saving customers money. As this movement gains popularity, Microsoft shareholders have successfully pressured the company into expanding the repairability of its goods. Although the US has limited Read More...
This ultra light microbattery uses its own casing to store more energy
Improving the way current batteries store and deliver power is key to enabling faster charging and enhanced performance of electronic devices. However, the structural composition of most batteries today prevents the rapid transport of electrons and ions, limiting power density. Scientists have Read More...
Sustainable wood-based batteries could power the future of e-travel
While the world is steadily moving towards a predominantly battery-powered future, conventional batteries still pose a few major sustainability- and efficiency-related challenges. Seeking to come up with a solution, Finnish designer Stora Enso is working on a wood-based material that could produce Read More...
“Mount Recyclemore” brings attention to the dangerous issue of e-waste
The leaders of the world’s leading democracies who attended the G7 Summit in Cornwall last month were welcomed by a statement art installation called “Mount Recyclemore.” The piece featured the likeness of each of the seven world leaders in attendance, all made from discarded electronics. To Read More...