Don't eat your breadcrusts - make electronics instead

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2025-02-19 11:01

International

Photo by Kilian Seiler on Unsplash

Electrodes, which conduct electricity in electronic devices, are usually made of metals, but sourcing these metals can damage the environment and human health. With carbon electrodes becoming an alternative, researchers have now found a way to create electrodes from leftover bread, which they describe as a 'humane, and readily available input'. They tried two methods - one involving stamping a piece of bread into the right shape, and the other involving powdering and reconstituting the bread - followed by heating them up. They say that both methods use few materials, don't need any harsh chemicals, and reduce waste, while still producing sturdy electrodes.

Media release

From: The Royal Society

Scientists have found a way to turn the sad ends of a loaf of bread into parts for electronic devices. Two new methods, both using small amounts of waste bread, have been developed to manufacture carbon-based electrodes which can be used in a variety of electronics. These techniques are more sustainable that other methods as they avoid direct 3D printing or environmentally harsh chemicals.

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Journal/
conference: Royal Society Open Science

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: Saint Vincent College - USA

Funder: The funding for this work was provided by Adam Wood through the NSF (Award Number: 2347998) and through the Saint Vincent College Faculty Research Gran

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