Consumer electronics, such as laptops, smartphones, and flat-screen TVs, are widespread in European society, representing a significant business sector with numerous companies and millions of users. However, issues like scarcity, toxicity, short lifespans, and recycling complexity necessitate a shift towards more sustainable and easily disposable materials for electronics. E-waste management has become a pressing concern for national governments due to the growing stockpile, expected to reach 120 million metric tons annually by 2050, fueled by the proliferation of flexible devices and the Internet of Things. Additionally, the increasing ubiquity of robotics, crucial for Europe's prosperity, adds to the e-waste issue, particularly with humanoid robots constructed from non-biodegradable materials. Transitioning to sustainable alternatives, including tactile-sensitive biodegradable skins, represents a pivotal shift towards environmentally friendly technologies in electronics and robotics.
This initiative is important for society as it fosters the convergence of green robotics and electronics, bolstering Europe's leadership in these domains. The project influence various research areas, including plastic/bioplastic and biocomposite development, while exploring alternative end-of-life solutions such as biodegradation in seawater for materials for electronics. BioConTact aims to reduce e-waste, enhance the long-term sustainability of both sectors, mitigate pollution, and align with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDG9 and SDG12).
The objectives of BioConTact are to create flexible electrical conductors with controllable biodegradation for applications requiring long-term stability, including human mimicking biodegradable skin for robotics. Specific goals include:
1. Develop flexible conductors with controllable degradation by formulating conductive inks using biodegradable polymers and transient metals and functionalize degradable substrates via a scalable spray-coating process. These conductors will show a tunable biodegradation in environmental conditions based on material formulations.
2. Produce biodegradable sensors, such as capacitive or piezoresistive sensors.
3. Design skins using various conductor-biopolymer combinations, optimizing their performance for applications like humanoid robotic hands.
