The Economic Times

In 2024, University of Illinois researchers showed electricity could recover gold from e-waste with fewer chemicals. 2 years later, a redesigned molecule removes the remaining chemical step, making metal recovery cleaner and simpler

Researchers developed a new molecule for recovering gold from electronic waste. This molecule uses electricity to drive the separation process, removing chemical steps. It selectively binds metal ions and carries a permanent electrical charge. This innovation significantly reduces chemical consumption and waste generation.