Matches for your search: "Sustainability "
Fluoropolymers are excellent materials for filters. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), the same polymer used in Teflon coatings, is inert, stable, hydrophobic, and durable, making it an ideal filtration media. Except for one potential problem. PTFE is a member of the PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) class. Even though PTFE no longer contains...
The materials we use to make products are usually chosen with performance as the highest priority, followed by cost. Performance encompasses both as-manufactured parameters and long-term reliability. While these metrics are crucial, they are not the only concern. Increasingly, environmental impact plays a more significant role in materials development and...
The Hierarchy of the Re’s You are probably familiar with the phrase “reduce, reuse, recycle.” You may have heard that it’s best to do things in that order. I suspect that you aren’t aware of starting with Refuse. As a verb, refuse means to say no to something. When individuals...
Recovering Noble Metals Apple made an audacious announcement in 2017, publicly stating a goal to eliminate mined rare earth elements from its iPhones. Stating such a goal, without a concrete plan to achieve it, was unheard of coming from the usually secretive Apple. It still isn’t clear how Apple will...
If you are familiar with B Corp certification, you probably associate B Corps with consumer brands like Patagonia or Ben & Jerry’s. Unless, of course, you work at Brewer Science. In 2021, the 3D InCites member became the first company in the semiconductor industry to earn B Corp certification. Over...
In June, the GreenBiz Circularity conference came to Seattle. With the conference site about 15 miles from me, I had to go. The last day included an in-depth session called “Recovering Critical Minerals from E-Waste and the Untapped Urban Mine.” The speakers represented companies that are household names—Google, Intel, Best...
It’s a great time to be selling secondhand or refurbished goods. Individuals wanting to adopt greener lifestyles often turn to secondary markets for everything from clothing to furniture. The dual benefits of saving money and saving the planet are very appealing. Gently used items can be just as functional and...
In a fully circular economy, nothing becomes waste. That includes all the components and materials inside smartphones, laptops, and other electronic devices. Our global economy is far from circular. Recycling rates for electronic waste (e-waste) are estimated at 17% globally. Most of the recycling happens in Europe, where the rate...
Sustainability is rapidly taking center stage in most industries; the electronics and semiconductors space included. The major players in the electronics’ space — Alphabet, Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, and Facebook — have set aggressive carbon reduction goals for both themselves and their supply chain. These goals include having both themselves and...
Someone once asked me if the circular economy requires a specific type of currency. Let’s clear up some basic misconceptions. The circular economy: Has nothing to do with cryptocurrency Relates to how we extract and use materials to make products Stands in contrast to decades of growth in the linear...
