Plastic circuits to make tougher, greener computers

Thiel heads the Centre for Wireless Monitoring and Applications (CWMA) at Griffith and teaches electromagnetics, practical electronics, mathematics and research methods.

According to its designers, the CIP technology can be applied to a wide range of circuits " from simple to complex " in terms of design and functionality.

"The beauty of the technology is you can use recycled and biodegradable plastics," he said. "At the end of the circuit's life the components are which means a lower carbon footprint compared with the shredding and incineration of traditional circuits."

The engineers hope the technology becomes the "circuit breaker" to reduce the amount of .

According to the CIP makers, even with lead-free technology, etching of existing printed circuit board (PCB) technology and disposal of the chemicals is a significant issue during manufacturing.