As electronic waste continues to pile up, sustainability has become a pressing issue for the electronics industry. The durability of devices is a key factor so that they can last longer before they must be replaced. Equally important is the ability to repair devices or even upgrade them with new features over time. Many companies are also incorporating more recycled materials—and even reused components—into their products.
Ideally, these devices should also be relatively easy to recycle at the end of their lifecycle. But ensuring that can be challenging unless you consider it ahead of time. Now, researchers are eyeing a radical alternative: electronic devices engineered to vanish. A new report in Electronic Design examines these “transient” electronics designed to degrade over time. Read on to learn what they are, how they work, and why they matter.
— James Morra, Senior Editor
