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Revolutionary Method Turns E-Waste into 22-Carat Gold

4/13/2025

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Summary

Story summary

ETH Zurich researchers have unveiled a groundbreaking, eco-friendly technique to extract 22-carat gold from the staggering 50 million tons of electronic waste produced each year. By harnessing protein fibrils from cheese byproducts, they efficiently capture gold ions, paving the way for sustainable recycling and lessening the need for destructive mining. This innovation could turn e-waste into a treasure trove.

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Story summary

ETH Zurich researchers have unveiled a groundbreaking, eco-friendly technique to extract 22-carat gold from the staggering 50 million tons of electronic waste produced each year. By harnessing protein fibrils from cheese byproducts, they efficiently capture gold ions, paving the way for sustainable recycling and lessening the need for destructive mining. This innovation could turn e-waste into a treasure trove.