Today, there is an assumption around the world that gold should be purchased for future investment. All big investors will recommend buying gold as the best way to invest your money. scientists are ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) A sustainable method has been developed to recover 22-karat gold from electronic waste using a protein composed of whey, a by-product of the dairy industry. Swiss researchers have successfully recovered 450 milligrams of 22-carat gold from 20 discarded computer motherboards. This particular study, conducted by scientists at ETH Zurich, is published in the journal advanced materials.
How 20 discarded motherboards hide 22-karat gold
According to the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and International Telecommunications Union (ITU)In 2022, the world generated a record 62 million tons of e-waste. This waste actually contains a gold mine. Such electronic devices, such as motherboards, are often expensive because of the use of gold in their connectors and circuit paths due to its excellent conductivity and corrosion resistance. Researchers at ETH Zurich confirmed in their study that they could recover 450 milligrams of high-purity 22-karat gold by processing just 20 old computer motherboards. If the number of discarded motherboards is larger, this number may be larger.
Whey to Riches: Harnessing Dairy By-Products to Extract Precious Metals
The most incredible part of the Swiss study was the use of whey, a common liquid by-product of the cheese-making industry. Whey protein, traditionally considered a waste product, has been transformed by scientists into a highly efficient “protein sponge” capable of recovering gold from discarded electronic scrap, such as motherboards.Cited by ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology), researchers denatured whey protein under high temperatures and acid, producing tiny fibers called amyloid fibrils. These nano-sized fibers are then freeze-dried to form sponges. When the sponge is placed into a solution of dissolved computer motherboards, it acts like a molecular magnet.
A profitable and green future Electronic waste recycling
The success story of Swiss researchers with their protein sponge approach marks a shift in the way we view global waste streams. By solving the extraction theory that high-purity gold can be recovered using organic materials rather than toxic chemicals, researchers are laying the foundation for a truly green and profitable circular economy. This research transforms e-waste from a growing environmental liability into a beneficial resource.
How this discovery of 22-carat gold could spell victory for the global economy
According to an economic analysis presented by ETH Zurich, the value of the 450 milligrams of 22-karat gold recovered far exceeds the costs associated with its extraction. Additionally, energy and raw material costs are approximately 50 times lower than the market value of recycled gold. This profit-to-cost ratio makes the technology extremely attractive for commercial scale, as it allows for faster and cheaper extraction of gold from deep-earth ores.
