The focus on environmentally friendly electronics is expanding, with an emphasis on energy-efficient device design, incorporation of renewable energy, reduction of electronic waste and the use of sustainable materials in manufacturing. Green electronics creates eco-friendly electronic products by using sustainable practices in design, manufacturing and disposal. This includes biodegradable materials, energy-efficient production, recycling promotion and responsible disposal to minimize environmental impact.
Thus, sustainability has become a primary concern for contemporary organizations, and adopting sustainable technologies can contribute to achieving environmental, social and governance (ESG) improvement goals.
In this article, we’ll examine sustainable technologies companies are adopting and championing to support long-term ecological balance and human rights, aligning their organizations with the broader push towards responsible and environmentally conscious practices.
New Solutions: Greener Energy
The world has agreed to be greener for the sake of its landscapes and the energy we use. This results in cars running on electricity or battery, and houses using greener choices like solar and renewable energy. What’s even better is that people are conscious of their carbon footprints and waste, and taking steps to minimize or turn waste into renewable energy, which is even more helpful.
One example is anaerobic digestion, where organic waste (like food scraps) is broken down to produce biogas. Biogas, a renewable energy source, is then used to produce electricity and heat. The use of anaerobic digestion, in conjunction with integrating green electronics, further enhances energy efficiency and sustainability, reducing landfill waste and greenhouse gas emissions.
Battery Technologies: The Power of New Chemistry
The business landscape, fuelled by the energy transition and the battle against climate change, may witness transformative advancements that open up greater possibilities for the battery industry and promote more sustainable use of materials. Prioritizing the improvement of battery performance and cost reduction is a critical goal for both businesses and governments, with profound industrial implications for each nation. While LFP (lithium ferro-phosphate) and NMC (nickel manganese cobalt) have become standard for electric vehicles, alternative battery technologies like cobalt-free (sodium-ion) or solid-state batteries are currently being explored, with a potential acceleration in 2024. Solid-state batteries represent a significant shift in battery technology, particularly for electric vehicles, offering higher energy densities at a cost expected to be more competitive than traditional batteries. Additionally, they contribute to green electronics by reducing dependence on specific materials such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, rare-earth minerals and graphite, while also promising extended lifespans and enhanced safety.
Semiconductors: Moore’s Law Evolution
In 2024, the semiconductor industry faces transformative shifts as it grapples with challenges and breakthroughs. Despite semiconductors being the world's most traded commodity, questions surround the sustainability of Moore's Law. Chips reaching 2nm, transistors approaching atomic sizes and escalating R&D investments strain major chipmakers. This year, there is anticipation of an evolution in Moore's Law with breakthroughs in 3D chip stacking, material science and new lithography, thus enhancing computing power. This progress accelerates digital transformation across industries, influencing devices like smartphones, electric vehicles, data centers and telecommunications. The semiconductor ecosystem will undergo significant changes with the emergence of new gigafactories, regulations, business models and foundry services, marking a pivotal year for the industry.
Organic Electronics
Organic electronics, a field in materials science, focuses on carbon-based molecules or polymers with favourable electronic properties. These materials, lighter and more flexible than traditional inorganic counterparts, have the potential to revolutionize electronics. Green electronics minimizes environmental impacts by using biodegradable materials, reducing energy in production, and promoting recycling.
Key applications include:
- Displays: Thinner and more flexible organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) are used in smartphones, TVs and electronic devices.
- Photovoltaics: Lightweight organic solar cells offer cost-effective alternatives for portable devices and building-integrated photovoltaics.
- Transistors: Organic, thin-film transistors that find use in medical sensors, RFID tags, flexible displays and smart labels.
- Biomedicine: Organic electronics enable implantable devices for monitoring neural activity and biosensors for disease detection.
Despite being in the early stages, the field of organic electronics holds significant potential for flexible and cost-effective electronic advancements.
To learn more about how Actalent can support your organization’s sustainable technology innovations and initiatives with best-in-class class engineering and sciences talent solutions and services, contact us today.
References
1. ASML: www.asml.com/en/news/stories/2022/moores-law-evolution
2. Intel: www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/newsroom/resources/moores-law.html
3. MDPI: www.mdpi.com/2079-6374/13/11/976
5. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_electronics
