International scientists have been working on different ways of utilising cellulose fibrils - fine fibres that can be produced from wood pulp or agricultural waste - to produce sustainable electronics.
Cellulose fibrils hold great potential for sustainable production and the decarbonisation of industry, as they grow CO2-neutral in nature, burn without residues and are compostable.
Researcher Thomas Geiger, from the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa), has demonstrated it is possible to build biodegradable circuit boards from cellulose fibrils.
Together with a colleague, he produced 20 experimental boards, which were subjected to various mechanical tests and finally fitted with electronic components. The test succeeded, and the cellulose board released the soldered-on components after a few weeks in natural soil.
Geiger continued his research on a new sustainable electronics project alongside sustainability specialist...