Encouraged for Junior and Seniors Undergraduates to apply.
May 29 to Aug 3, 2018
In the United States, an estimated 3.3 million tons of electronics reach End-of-Life (EOL) per year. Global production is much higher. Despite the economic value of electrical and electronic
equipment and products, materials recycling and recovery represent only a fraction of the collection yield at the EOL. Currently, much of the flow of electronic waste globally ends up
managed as municipal solid waste (landfill or incineration) or in unregulated facilities. The thematic basis of this research includes characterizing and mitigating any environmental
damage incurred by current EOL management practices, and identifying the composition of various fractions of electronic waste in full-scale recycling facilities.
Two projects are available, as outlined below. Each undergraduate researcher will be paid a stipend of $5100. During the research experience, students will be trained on all instrumentation and lab procedures.
1) Characterizing the chemical profile of electronic waste leachate
This project will consist of lab-scale experiments on electronic waste leaching: dynamic leaching tests conducted under different conditions (natural water matrix, chemical and physical conditions). Additional analytical techniques include total dissolved solids (gravimetric) and elemental analysis. The leachate will also be subject to whole effluent toxicity testing. Applications of the chemical profile, once it is known, include better prediction of possible environmental damage and landfill processes, as well as serving as a “marker” for the presence of electronic waste in a facility or site.
2) Evaluating the residual fractions from existing electronics recycling processes
Full-scale recycling facilities produce various types of fractions including: manually separated toxic components, ferrous metals and non-ferrous metals, precious metals, recyclable plastics, contaminated plastics, and a residual fraction. Given that electrical and electronic equipment includes ~65 elements of the periodic table, and only 10-15 elements are routinely recovered, it is hypothesized that the residual fraction contains the balance. Characterizing that fraction will provide insight into potential environmental impacts and management practices, and will provide insight into the economic value and technological approaches to recovering that value. Laboratory experiments will be conducted to qualitatively and quantitatively characterize the composition of residual fractions. Quantitative approaches include advanced analytical techniques such as Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP).
Required qualifications: junior or senior students, majoring in engineering or natural science; cumulative GPA > 3.0. Preferred: research experience or extensive course work in wet lab research methods and techniques.
To apply: Candidates should send a resume, transcripts (unofficial version is fine), and cover letter with a brief statement explaining their interest in the project to Professor Inez Hua (email: hua@purdue.edu).