| NSF Org: |
TI Translational Impacts |
| Recipient: |
|
| Initial Amendment Date: | August 11, 2021 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | June 2, 2022 |
| Award Number: | 2044719 |
| Award Instrument: | Standard Grant |
| Program Manager: |
Samir M. Iqbal
smiqbal@nsf.gov (703)292-7529 TI Translational Impacts TIP Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships |
| Start Date: | August 15, 2021 |
| End Date: | July 31, 2024 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $549,986.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $565,986.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
FY 2022 = $16,000.00 |
| History of Investigator: |
|
| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
500 S LIMESTONE LEXINGTON KY US 40526-0001 (859)257-9420 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
|
| Primary Place of Performance: |
109 Kinkead Hall Lexington KY US 40526-0001 |
| Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
|
| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
|
| Parent UEI: |
|
| NSF Program(s): | PFI-Partnrships for Innovation |
| Primary Program Source: |
01002122DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT |
| Program Reference Code(s): |
|
| Program Element Code(s): |
|
| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.084 |
ABSTRACT
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Partnerships for Innovation ? Research Partnerships (PFI-RP) project is to develop a novel, environmentally friendly, profitable recycling process utilizing advanced chemistry and equipment design for the recovery of valuable and critical metals from waste printed circuit boards. Currently, the most common methods used to recycle waste electronics are through combustion in a smelting process or through low cost, off-shore labor. If successful, the project will enable a simple, efficient, and low-cost option for recyclers to develop vertically-integrated, domestic supply chains for the recovery of critical and valuable metals from electronic wastes. This process will be a direct replacement to the combustion of E-Wastes with significant reduction in environmental impact. Success will enhance the economic viability of the domestic recycling supply chain and further contribute to environmental justice by lowering exploitation of vulnerable communities.
The proposed project aims to develop an integrated, low-cost, near closed loop system for the recovery of metals using liquid systems without the use of harsh acids or cyanide. To achieve this objective the multidisciplinary team seeks to 1) develop control methodologies for the integrated leaching of base metals with the use of a regenerated oxidizer, 2) design and validate a small zero-emission and scalable metal plating reactor for recovering copper, 3) develop electrolyte purification strategies to minimize waste streams, and 4) demonstrate gold leaching and recovery. The anticipated output will be an integrated flowsheet for the recycling of E-Wastes, economic value stream maps, and a technical/economic assessment of the viability of the technology. Successful completion of the project will enhance the circular economy and preserve scarce global resources.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH
Note:
When clicking on a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) number, you will be taken to an external
site maintained by the publisher. Some full text articles may not yet be available without a
charge during the embargo (administrative interval).
Some links on this page may take you to non-federal websites. Their policies may differ from
this site.
PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT
Disclaimer
This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.
This project advanced our understanding of how to recover and recycle valuable metals, especially copper and gold from end-of-life electronics in a more efficient and economically viable way.
Intellectual Merit - This generated new knowledge about how metals behave in complex chemical environments, which underpins more sustainable ways to recycle electronic scrap. We developed process models, measurement systems, and demonstrations that show how to recover both copper and gold with a novel closed loop chemistry. We also explored how to manage impurities and reduce unwanted byproducts, contributing valuable data to guide future academic and industrial research.
Broader Impacts - By providing a feasible alternative to smelting, our project supports a more circular economy for electronics. It offers potential cost savings, reduced environmental impact, and opportunities for economic development, particularly in regions that handle end-of-life electronics. Multiple start-up activities emerged from this work, and the methods and insights are now part of course materials to train the next generation of engineers and entrepreneurs. Additional insights were gained through I-Corps methodology for end-of-life material flows and product market fit for the developed technology. Through conference talks and scholarly publications, the project’s results have reached a wide audience, fostering collaborative efforts to create cleaner, safer, and more profitable recycling processes.
Last Modified: 02/06/2025
Modified by: Joshua Werner
Please report errors in award information by writing to: awardsearch@nsf.gov.
