Biodegradable Electronics Are (Almost) A Thing

Everyone loves a device. However, the downside is not at all small. Over time a significant amount of electronic waste accumulates, leading to landfills or incineration, toxic chemical release, and an overall not so great contribution to climate change. What we do know is that when there’s a problem, there’s likely a solution…and researchers are now developing biodegradable electronics.

If scientists nail it, we'll be integrating biodegradable electronics into our product design process. And we're super excited!

Biodegradable electronics, also known as transient or eco-friendly electronics, are devices made from materials that can decompose naturally, reducing waste and pollution. These materials include organic semiconductors, biodegradable polymers, and even naturally occurring substances like silk or cellulose. These are definitely not scalable yet, though they’re very much on our radar.

Over the past few years, researchers have demonstrated the feasibility of creating transient electronic devices capable of performing various functions, such as monitoring vital signs, tracking environmental conditions, or providing temporary communication networks during emergencies. These devices can be disposed of without causing harm to the environment, as they will naturally degrade over time. If we’ve learned anything from COVID it’s that haste makes waste, especially in the biomedical field.

The transition to biodegradable electronics is going to be a long road with collaboration amongst researchers, manufacturers, and policymakers to develop standardized testing methods, industry regulations, and appropriate disposal systems. LFG!