URBANA, Ill. — Imagine this: There's no need to throw out your old cellphone, because it will self-destruct.
That's the idea behind a project at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where researchers are investigating how to build electronics that vanish in water.
John Rogers is a professor of Materials Science and Engineering at the university. Rogers says the goal of the "born to die" program is to design transient technology that can dissolve at the end of its useful life, thus saving space in landfills and reducing waste.
The research team isn't there yet. But it has designed a chip built on a thin film of silk that dissolves when hit with water.
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More From Star Tribune
More From Nation
Nation
AP Week in Pictures: Asia
March 22-28, 2024
Nation
Republican panel's selection to be Rep. Buck's likely replacement is a saving grace for Boebert
A Colorado Republican panel made a surprising decision Thursday night, choosing a former mayor, Greg Lopez, to be U.S. Rep. Ken Buck's likely replacement until the November general election, a saving grace for Rep. Lauren Boebert's bid for another term in Congress.
Nation
AP Week in Pictures: Europe and Africa
March 22–28, 2024
Business
Georgia joins states seeking parental permission before children join social media
Georgia could join other states in requiring children younger than 16 to have their parents' explicit permission to create social media accounts.
Nation
Georgia bill aimed at requiring law enforcement to heed immigration requests heads to governor
Georgia's Legislature gave final approval Thursday to a bill that would require local jailers to check the immigration status of inmates and work with federal immigration officials instead of sheltering people who are in the country illegally.