Electronic Equipment

Globally, the generation of small Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) is rapidly increasing and accounted for over 30% of total E-waste in 2019. Managing this critical waste stream has proven challenging in Australia due to diverse product categories, short lifespans, and high frequency of disposal. To address the issue, a Multivocal Literature Analysis was conducted to identify prevailing situations, barriers, and prospects for a practical management framework. Findings were thematically analysed based on sustainability and circular-economy principles. The study revealed several critical obstacles, including the lack of involvement by local governments, the mixing of small WEEE with municipal waste, the absence of an established repair and reuse culture, and the limited domestic application of recovered metals. To address these issues, the study identifies the need for a dedicated co-regulatory stewardship scheme based on extended producer responsibility with eco-modul...

This article presents an innovative and highly sustainable method for recycling photovoltaic (PV) panels laminated with very soft polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) gels. This approach eliminates energy-intensive and environmentally harmful processes such as burning and chemical etching due to simple and clean mechanical delamination at room temperature via polyethylene wedges. This technology significantly contributes to environmental sustainability by facilitating the direct reuse of materials, reducing the amount of hazardous waste, and minimizing energy consumption during recycling. PDMS panels achieve extremely low annual degradation rates (0.15-0.22%) and excellent recycling efficiencies (95-98%) compared to conventional EVA/POE laminated panels, with up to 81% of the panel weight being directly reused. This has led to a drastic reduction in the overall carbon footprint and is in line with the principles of circular economy and sustainable development goals (SDGs). The synergistic combination of long service life and efficient end-of-life processing makes this technology a cornerstone of sustainability in the photovoltaic industry. It addresses pressing environmental and socioeconomic challenges by promoting resource efficiency, reducing photovoltaic waste by up to 114 times, and enabling policies and practices that support the global energy transition.

Considering that the large quantity of waste electrical and electronic equipment plastics generated annually causes increasing environmental concerns for their recycling and also for preserving of raw material resources, decreasing of energy consumption, or saving the virgin materials used, the present challenge is considered to be the recovery of individual polymers from waste electrical and electronic equipment. This study aims to provide an update of the main identification methods of waste electrical and electronic equipment such as spectroscopic fingerprinting, thermal study, and sample techniques (like identification code and burning test), and the characteristic values in the case of the different analyses of the polymers commonly used in electrical and electronic equipment. Additionally, the quality of the identification is very important, as, depending on this, new materials with suitable properties can be obtained to be used in different industrial applications. The latest...

The planet's resources are finite and must be used rationally and responsibly to ensure a sustainable economy. On the basis of modern innovations and technologies, new sources of consumption or new ways to reduce the environmental impact of consumption can be found. Changes in the external environment and incredibly disruptive international events significantly influence consumer behaviour. In view of geopolitical changes, the energy crisis, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the instability of the energy market, the European Commission has drawn up a series of plans to ensure Europe's independence from Russia's energy resources. Research focusses on analysing the behaviour of responsible energy consumers as part of the objectives of REPowerEU and ANRE (Romanian Energy Regulatory Authority). To this end, 250 energy consumers were interviewed to observe their participation in reducing energy consumption and the measures implemented according to the REPowerEU plan. The consumers involved in the study have already implemented some important measures that have led to awareness of the negative consequences of geopolitical instability and the impact of natural resource consumption.

Optical excitation provides a powerful tool to investigate non-equilibrium physics in quantum Hall systems. Moreover, the length scale associated with photo-excited charge carries lies between that of local probes and global transport measurements. Here, we investigate non-equilibrium physics of optically-excited charge carriers in graphene through photocurrent measurements in the integer quantum Hall regime. We observe that the photocurrent oscillates as a function of Fermi level, revealing the Landau-level quantization, and that the photocurrent oscillations are different for Fermi levels near and distant from the Dirac point. Our observation qualitatively agrees with a model that assumes the photocurrent is dominated by chiral edge transport of non-equilibrium carriers. Our experimental results are consistent with electron and hole chiralities being the same when the Fermi level is distant from the Dirac point, and opposite when near the Dirac point.

In this study, bauxite residue was directly leached using the Brønsted acidic ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium hydrogensulfate. Stirring rate, retention time, temperature, and pulp density have been studied in detail as the parameters that affect the leaching process. Their optimized combination has shown high recovery yields of Sc, nearly 80%, and Ti (90%), almost total dissolution of Fe, while Al and Na were partially extracted in the range of 30–40%. Si and rare earth element (REEs) dissolutions were found to be negligible, whereas Ca was dissolved and reprecipitated as CaSO4. The solid residue after leaching was fully characterized, providing explanations for the destiny of REEs that remain undissolved during the leaching process. The solid residue produced after dissolution can be further treated to extract REEs, while the leachate can be subjected to metal recovery processes (i.e., liquid–liquid extraction) to extract metals and regenerate ionic liquid.

Supply chain management (SCM) is a core corporate activity responsible for moving commodities and services from one point to another through a variety of stakeholders. The traditional SCM is based on a centralized approach managed at the central headquarters, with all other sub-offices receiving instructions from the main office. Some major issues with current SCM systems include security, transactional transparency, traceability, stakeholder involvement, product counterfeiting, additional delays, fraud, and instabilities. Blockchain (BC) emerges as a technology capable of efficiently and transparently managing data and building trust. It can facilitate transaction authorization and verification in supply chains or payments without relying on a third party. This review shows the integration of blockchain technology (BCT) within SCM, addressing traditional SCM limitations such as centralization, lack of transparency, and susceptibility to cyber-attacks. Blockchain's key attributes-immutability, security, decentralization, transparency, tamper-resistance, and disintermediation-offer significant improvements in SCM processes by enhancing traceability, security, and efficiency. This paper shows various blockchain implementations in different industries, highlighting practical advantages and addressing future research opportunities, such as blockchain interoperability, Blockchain as a Service (BaaS), and next-generation decentralized ledger technologies like Hashgraph.

While the concept of remanufacturing is gaining popularity globally, literature and theory on strategic decision-making on certifying for warranty in this area remain limited. A strategic and establish concept flow is developed based on extensive literature review and surveys with experienced experts who are dealing with remanufactured, reconditioned, rebuilt and reused components. The remanufacturing research on evaluating quality assurance of remanufactured component targets macro-level parameters and the indicators which must be confirmed for evaluation. The strategic remanufacturing factors identified from the literature review are discussed in a brainstorming session with a number of remanufacturing researchers and academic experts. The study is further broadened by industrial surveys and case studies to justify the inputs on developing a framework to certify remanufactured components. Preliminary results have established the key factors of remanufacturing quality control that might lead to the strict quality assurance of remanufactured components. Later, the developed framework can be used as a benchmarking tool to certify remanufactured components and warranty issuance. The findings serve as the foundation for further research concerning Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) or Original Equipment Remanufacturer (OER) and Independent Equipment Remanufacturer (IER) in the Malaysian Remanufacturing Industry.

The current regulatory framework for Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) is changing and now requires manufacturers to disclose the environmental performance of their products. This means that manufacturers must perform a life cycle analysis (LCA) on their entire range of products. An LCA is a recognized and standardized methodology for assessing the environmental impact of activities. However, communicating this information to consumers is challenging because it can be complicated.Despite this challenge, there is currently no common standard for communicating environmental information to consumers. The objective of this study is to explore the best practices for conveying environmental information. To achive this, a review of current environmental labeling approaches and recommendations available in the literature is conducted. Additionally, consumer requirements are collected and analyzed through a questionnaire that employs both quantitative and qualitative methods. The inf...

In transitioning from a linear economy model to a circular business, digital technologies can help manage the flow of restorative and regenerative resources. In this context, the present study aims to evaluate the contribution of digital technologies, such as the internet of things (IoT), Big Data and Blockchain in the execution of circular economy (CE) practices and what mechanisms companies are adopting to integrate digital technologies into the circular context. The research method consists of an exploratory case study with a qualitative approach. Two prominent companies took part in the study. The results indicate benefits highlighted by companies, contemplate that Big Data analysis has improved performance in data processing and management, IoT has added monitoring and traceability to companies' packaging, thus bringing efficiency to recycling, recovery, reuse and disposal, and the Blockchain provides …

Technological innovations and increased demand for electronic devices resulted in production of more and more waste with highmetal content. Worldwide, 50 million tons of WEEE (Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment) are generated each year. Giventhe metal content present in electrical waste (e-waste), it is considered to be an urban mine and, if properly treated, can serve as analternative secondary source of metals. Waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs) that constitute approx. 3-5% of WEEE by weight areof particular importance. They contain, on average, 30-40% of metals by weight, with higher purity than in minerals. With environmental and economic benefits in mind, increasing attention is being paid to the development of processes to recover metals and othervaluable materials from WPCBs. The research presented in the article aimed at assessing the usefulness of the biotechnological methodfor leaching of selected metals from e-waste. The results indicate that it is possible ...

The electronics sector faces growing pressure to adopt Circular Economy (CE) principles. This study explores how environmental regulations, technological innovation, and different business approaches shape this transition, aiming to provide a strategic guide. The study analyzed 78 publications from 2012-2025 using a combined literature review and bibliometric analysis from key academic databases. The findings confirm increasing research interest in this area. Environmental regulations are shown to be powerful drivers for sustainable change in the industry. Key strategies identified include designing products for sustainability, using advanced recycling methods, and adopting circular business models, such as offering products as a service. However, significant challenges remain, including inconsistent policies across regions, differences in infrastructure, and the complexity of global supply chains. Research hotspots focus on recycling, resource recovery, and the roles of various stakeholders. Based on these insights, the study proposes a conceptual framework to help develop regionally appropriate circular economy business models for managing electronic waste. This framework offers practical guidance for businesses and policymakers, emphasizing how regulations can spur innovation and why locally adapted solutions are essential for a successful circular transition, moving beyond one-size-fits-all strategies.

Electrical and electronic waste commonly known as e-waste is now one of the world's major concerns. Industries have been so diligent and successful in recent years. The sales and trend of electronic goods have increased rapidly in the world. But with the increase in the manufacturing of electrical and electronic goods and their trend, the result has been somehow leading us to the concern of e-waste. The obsolescence of electrical and electronics goods has become a huge drawback in the field technology because it is measured that various techniques have been used to solve this issue regarding the e-waste produced by industries but none of the solutions to recycle was very effective in the favors of nature and biodiversity. This research paper aims to particularize highlight and determine, the major concern, the effect of e-waste on environment and health.

Looking to dispose of old electronics responsibly in your office space? Find out the best methods and practices for environmentally friendly electronic waste management in our guide. Safeguard the planet while properly handling your outdated devices.

Purpose: This paper describes the current status of waste electrical and electronic equipment recycling and disposal in Europe, and its impact on the environment, human health and the economy. Design/methodology/approach: The production of electric and electronic equipment is one of the fastest growing areas. This development has resulted in an increase of WEEE. Increased recycling of WEEE is supposed to limit the total quantity of waste going to final disposal. Findings: Based on comprehensive bibliography, this article reviewed the implementation of strategies of WEEE treatment and the recovery technologies of WEEE. Research limitations/implications: Further studies should be undertaken in order to develop integrated WEEE recycling and disposal systems. Practical implications: In view of the environmental problems involved in the management of WEEE, many countries and organizations have drafted national legislation to improve the reuse, recycling and other forms of recovery of such waste so as to reduce disposal. Recycling of WEEE is an important subject not only from the point of waste treatment but also from the recovery of valuable materials. The study of WEEE properties is important for a further recycling and eventual reuse.

Se presenta una aplicación de la metodología aHP para la selección de un residuo de aparato eléctrico y electrónico que se va a considerar en el diseño de una red de logística inversa para la gestión integral de los residuos sólidos generados por dichos aparatos. Este trabajo es el primer paso en el diseño de la red logística y se ha abordado desde la perspectiva multicriterio debido a la importancia que revisten dichos residuos tanto desde el punto de vista de su impacto ambiental como económico. Este trabajo incluye una caracterización amplia y detallada de los aparatos eléctricos y electrónicos de mayor presencia en los hogares colombianos. la metodología presentada puede ser replicada fácilmente para cualquier otro tipo de aparato o residuo sólido en el proceso de configuración de la cadena de suministro inversa. Para el caso particular presentado fueron seleccionados los televisores de rayos catódicos y monitores de cristal líquido. Keywords: gestión integral de residuos sólidos, logística inversa, métodos multicriterio, proceso analítico jerárquico aHP, residuos de aparatos eléctricos y electrónicos (raEE).

Reuse and recycling have become crucial owing to the rapid advance in technology, which leads to the accelerated obsolescence of electronic equipment. Disassembly is the first stage in the recycling process. Manual disassembly has proven to be the most efficient although cost-effective method. Automated systems are justified only when relatively uniform-type equipment or assemblies are disassembled. Layout changes can enhance the disassembly speeds by efficient material movement. New disassembly line layout concept introduces solutions for known problems in existing layouts KEYWORDS: disassembly reuse recycling hazardous materials layout KLJU^NE RIJE^I: rastavljanje ponovna uporaba oporaba opasni materijali postav Ponovna su uporaba i oporaba postali iznimno va`ni zbog brzoga napretka tehnike koja vodi do ubrzane zastare elektroni~kih ure|aja. Rastavljanje je prvi korak u procesu oporabe. Iako skuplje, ru~no se rastavljanje pokazalo kao naju~inkovitije. Automatizirani sustavi nalaze gospodarnu primjenu samo pri rastavljanju istovrsnih ure|aja ili sklopova. Promjene u postavu mogu pove}ati brzinu rastavljanja u~inkovitijim kretanjem materijala. Zamisao novoga razmje{taja radnih mjesta za rastavljanje elektroni~kih ure|aja predstavlja rje{enje za poznate probleme s postoje}im postrojenjima.

Dissensions among specialists over progress of the European Union (EU) strategies for transitioning into circular economy (CE) could be resolved by assessments of countries' performance in this area. Measuring levels of circularity is however in its elementary stages and numerous efforts have been made to improve current CE indicators frameworks. While literature on the topic proliferates and increasing numbers of studies comparing countries' degrees of advance confirm the importance of this research field, a lack of publications reviewing methodological approaches and outcomes of comparative analyses is noticeable. This review is one of the early contributions to fill this gap, reflecting on disparate results of CE performance ranking and clustering despite using the same databases (e.g. Eurostat), on limitations of such studies, and their contributions. Conducting a systematic review, we applied specific procedures to select illustrative examples of studies, replicating their methods alongside additional descriptive statistics to characterise distinctive features of CE progress not presented by the examined articles, which highlight aspects that help clarify details of their findings. A critical discussion section of this paper provides insights into unexplored aspects of limitations identified through indepth reflections on the reviewed studies, opening avenues for further research, as well as raising implications of conducting analyses and ranking CE performance of countries without considering inherent problems in the present level of development of the EU CE monitoring framework. Given the sense of urgency in successfully transitioning to CE, this study's contributions to aid the effectiveness in research and policy developments offer new possibilities for refining the design of concrete measures towards better circularity performances.

The circular economy (CE) model has become highly relevant in recent years, with the electronics industry being one of the sectors that has considered its application. Despite only a limited amount of literature being available on waste electric and electronic equipment (e-waste) in Mexico, the Mexican Government, academic institutions, and electronics industry have coordinated efforts to implement the CE in the country. This study evaluates the current technical and economic situation of cellphone e-waste generated in Mexico by surveying and analyzing the main actors that influence the management of this waste and using a material flow analysis. Extensive fieldwork was conducted in order to quantify the extent of cellphone e-waste processing in both formal and informal channels. The study of printed circuit boards in cellphones shows that the total value of cellphone e-waste materials ranges between $11.277 and $12.444 million USD per year in Mexico. However, a value of only $0.677...

End-of-life electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) has recently received attention as a secondary source of metals. This study examined characteristics of end-of-life EEE as secondary metal resources to consider efficient collection and metal recovery systems according to the specific metals and types of EEE. We constructed an analogy between natural resource development and metal recovery from end-of-life EEE and found that metal content and total annual amount of metal contained in each type of end-of-life EEE should be considered in secondary resource development, as well as the collectability of the end-of-life products. We then categorized 21 EEE types into five groups and discussed their potential as secondary metal resources. Refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners, and CRT TVs were evaluated as the most important sources of common metals, and personal computers, mobile phones, and video games were evaluated as the most important sources of precious metals. Several types of small digital equipment were also identified as important sources of precious metals; however, mid-size information and communication technology (ICT) equipment (e.g., printers and fax machines) and audio/video equipment were shown to be more important as a source of a variety of less common metals. The physical collectability of each type of EEE was roughly characterized by unit size and number of end-of-life products generated annually. Current collection systems in Japan were examined and potentially appropriate collection methods were suggested for equipment types that currently have no specific collection systems in Japan, particularly for video games, notebook computers, and mid-size ICT and audio/video equipment.

Appropriate management of toxic metals contained in WEEE is important during recycling and treatment of WEEE. ► CRT TVs contain large amount of toxic metals with high concentration and thus appropriate management is highly important. ► Mid-sized equipment is a future target for managing toxic metals in WEEE because the total amount is not negligible. ► Changes in the flows of toxic metals will occur when treatment processes are modified to emphasize resource recovery. ► The flows of toxic metals and valuable materials should be managed simultaneously in recycling and treatment of WEEE.

Introduction: The production of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) has grown rapidly in recent years. It is necessary to determine the amount of them for its effective management. The aim of this study was to determine the amount of WEEE stored in the houses of Yazd citizens and the level of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) of citizens regarding WEEE management. Materials and Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out using random sampling on 300 Yazdian citizens. To determine the amount of WEEE stored in houses and the level of KAP of people regarding WEEE, was used a researcher-made questionnaire whose validity and reliability were confirmed and data analysis was performed using nonparametric tests in SPSS. Results: The amount of WEEE in the study population was 21.8 metric tons was obtained. Of these, the highest amount of waste was related to the refrigerator with 3.9 metric tons and the highest number of used equipment stored was relate...

The path toward energy transition requires many metals, some of which are scarce in nature or their supply is controlled by a few countries. The European and Spanish situations are particularly vulnerable because of the scarcity of crucial geological mineral resources, especially those known as critical. In this context, the recovery of metals from waste electric and electronic equipment (WEEE) presents an important opportunity to partly alleviate this situation because this region produces most of the WEEE per capita. In this study, 43 different categories of EEE placed in the Spanish market between 2016 and 2021 were assessed, considering the composition of up to 57 elements, with 34 being critical. The results show the great opportunities for urban mining: 1.4 million tons of metals valued at USD 2.43 billion, representing 80% of the mass and 25% of the price of the primary extraction in Spain during that period. In addition, 20,000 tons corresponded to critical metals. However, the short life of EEE and the low traceability and low recovery of metals, especially critical and precious (94% and 87% of their values are lost, respectively), make it necessary to overcome major challenges to develop a new industry capable of moving toward a deeper circular economy.

The path toward energy transition requires many metals, some of which are scarce in nature or their supply is controlled by a few countries. The European and Spanish situations are particularly vulnerable because of the scarcity of crucial geological mineral resources, especially those known as critical. In this context, the recovery of metals from waste electric and electronic equipment (WEEE) presents an important opportunity to partly alleviate this situation because this region produces most of the WEEE per capita. In this study, 43 different categories of EEE placed in the Spanish market between 2016 and 2021 were assessed, considering the composition of up to 57 elements, with 34 being critical. The results show the great opportunities for urban mining: 1.4 million tons of metals valued at USD 2.43 billion, representing 80% of the mass and 25% of the price of the primary extraction in Spain during that period. In addition, 20,000 tons corresponded to critical metals. However, ...

The National Policy for Solid Waste (NPSW), passed in 2010, established a system of shared responsibility for waste management in Brazil, including Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). This law requires the collection and disposal of technological waste through the implementation of Reverse Logistics Systems (RLS). In this study we discuss the main challenges and prospects in implementing WEEE reverse logistics in Brazil. The research was conducted through document analysis and interviews with different players, who are participants in the process of establishing a sector agreement. The findings suggest that the shared responsibility model proposed by the NPSW is not comprehensive enough to deal with the complexity of the Brazilian WEEE reverse chain. Based on this research we were able to propose a broader model covering the interrelationships among all the agents that interfere directly, indirectly, locally and abroad with the implementation of reverse logistics ch...

With the increasing use of digital currency, its security and transparency have also become a major concern: The use of blockchain has proven to be very beneficial in enhancing the security and transparency in digital transactions.  This research explores the disruption
impact of blockchain integrated with SAP and other ERP systems in terms of data security, and transaction transparency. False In particular, the article outlines how blockchain could allow ERP systems to generate unmodifiable logs of transactions that are considered when data
integrity is involved in challenging multi-stakeholder handling landscapes. The paper also looks into the problems of blockchain operationalization with respect to current ERP infrastructures in terms of interoperability, transaction speed, and managing decentralized architectures. This paper analyzes the U.S. and European industry case studies to inform on
possible strategic uses of blockchain in ERP system level security vulnerabilities, and equally improve trust, responsibility across large enterprise operations.

The disposal of electronic equipment in landfills is receiving significantly increased consideration due to the unknown impact of the environmental hazards they contain. It is also estimated that more than 63.4 million personal computers (PCs) and workstations will be come obsolete in the year 2005 in the United States alone. The DOD projects an annual disposal requirement for more than 25 million pounds of electronic equipment. While computers originating from the Department of Defense (DOD) represent only ten percent (10%) of the total electronic scrap found in landfills, ninety percent (90%) of this scrap consists of military-unique electronic equipment (i.e., test equipment, radios and radar equipment); the remaining 10% is desktop equipment (Federal Electronic Asset Management Task Force Final Report to the Federal Environmental Executive February 16, 1999 Draft Working Copy.) The sheer volume of electronic material, coupled with environmental considerations, is prompting state...

In the last years, there is an increasing acknowledgment of our impact on the environment due to our lifestyle, while the need to adopt a more sustainable approach as to our consumption habits emerges as of particular significance. This trend regards industrial sectors affecting the consumption habits and, especially, electronic industry where the short life cycles and the rapidly developing technology have led to increased e-waste volumes, such as discarded electronic equipment. Waste Electric and Electronic Product or E-waste is referred to all kind of electric and electronic equipments and appliances that is thrown by users. The majority of such elements result in landfills because it is inexpensive disposal option. The E-waste has become a matter of concern because of toxic and hazardous present in electronic goods and if not properly managed. This equipments are a complicated assembly of thousand material, many of which one highly toxic such as brominates substances, toxic gase...

Ultrasonic components of bird voices are rarely analyzed in bioacoustical papers. The main reason behind this situation is an equipment used for digital recording of bird voices in which: 1) sampling frequencies do not usually exceed 48 kHz and 2) microphones that limits bandwidth of recorded bird voices are also commonly used. The experiments described in this paper were carried out with 96 kHz sampling frequency and high quality broadband microphones. Moreover, because the commonly used 1-bit sigma-delta A/D converters introduce some distortion to the signal -they particularly affect its high frequency components. In the research we propose using the SAR converter instead. Preliminary automatic recognition research comparing performance of SAR and 1-bit sigma-delta A/D is also presented in the paper. Investigation concerned analysis of several voices of passerine birds e.g. Parus major, Passer montanus in ultrasonic range which unveiled existence of strong ultrasonic tonal frequency components and formants in the analyzed bird voices. Methodology that allowed us to record bird voices in an ultrasound range was described. Additionally, the general conclusion outlining the best bird voices recording strategy has been drawn. Biological meaning of the ultrasound components in bird voices still remains an open research question.

One of the crucial aspects of the environmental protection is continuous monitoring of environment. Specific aspect is estimation of the bird species population. It is particularly important for bird species being in danger of extinction. Avian monitoring programs are time and money consuming actions which usually base on terrain expeditions. Certain remedy for this can be automatic acoustical avian monitoring system, described in the paper. Main components of the designed system are: digital audio recorder for bird voices acquisition, computer program automatically recognizing bird species by its signals emitted (voices or others) and object-relational database accessed via the Internet. Optional system components can be: digital camera and camcorder, bird attracting device, wireless data transmission module, power supply with solar panel, portable weather station. The system records bird voices and sends the recordings to the database. Recorded bird voices can be also provoked by ...

One of the primary studies addresses urban land planning, specifically the conditions and management of urban land in various regions. This paper, authored by Ing. Simona Miksikova, explores the regulatory frameworks and strategies for improving urban spaces, ensuring that development meets both the needs of the population and environmental sustainability.

Another key study focuses on worker safety in hazardous environments. The paper by Eng. Klaudia Kobolova and her colleagues presents a methodology to reduce exposure risks for workers, discussing strategies for improving workplace safety by assessing potential hazards and implementing preventive measures. This is especially important in industrial sectors where workers are exposed to toxic or dangerous conditions.

In biotechnology, significant contributions include studies on the European Green Deal in Latvia, presented by Assist. Prof. Dr. Dace Kaufmane and others. This paper discusses how the Green Deal can foster sustainability in local food production and rural communities in Latvia, aligning with the European Union’s broader sustainability and environmental goals. Similarly, another study by Douja Sellami and others looks at improving crop production in greenhouses using solar air collectors with latent energy storage, aiming to reduce energy consumption while maintaining high agricultural output.

Green building technologies are another area of focus, with studies such as the one by Eng. Luca Rampini and Prof. Fulvio Re Cecconi, which investigates the role of artificial intelligence in enabling digital twins for existing buildings. This technology allows for the simulation of real-time data to improve the management and sustainability of buildings. Other studies, such as the assessment of bio-eco-innovative properties of sheep wool-based heat insulation materials, explore the use of sustainable materials in construction to improve thermal insulation while reducing environmental impact.

The conference also features studies on the practical applications of renewable energy, such as Dr. Stanislavs Gendelis’ research on the efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) panels depending on their orientation and environmental conditions. This research is vital for optimizing the use of solar energy, a key component of the transition to renewable energy sources.

In terms of urban sustainability, papers like the one by PhD Ing. Zuzana Kramarova examine the categorization of public spaces to determine the required width of sidewalks, ensuring safe and accessible urban areas. Other studies, such as those by PhD Ing. Michal Kraus, explore the impact of houseplants on indoor environmental quality, showing how integrating natural elements into urban designs can improve the well-being of inhabitants.

Energy efficiency is a recurring theme, with studies like that by PhD Anna Manowska discussing primary and final energy mixes, emphasizing the importance of energy-efficient practices and renewable energy sources. This aligns with the European Green Deal’s objective to reduce carbon emissions and move towards a more sustainable energy future.

Furthermore, the research papers explore the importance of green infrastructure and sustainable design in urban spaces. For example, Assoc. Prof. Silvia Basova’s study on blue-green infrastructure highlights its role in improving public spaces and enhancing ecological resilience in urban areas.

This research seeks to conduct a comprehensive review of previous studies on solar PV panels, types of solar PV, and solar energy systems. The primary goal is to identify and analyze basic fundamental characteristics to compare developments in photovoltaic (PV) technology from the past to the present. By synthesizing insights from existing studies, this research aims to reveal the key features that will guide the selection and implementation of new PV technology for future PV system installations. The findings highlight efficiency, cost, manufacturing processes, flexibility, environmental impact, and energy payback time as pivotal factors influencing the installation of PV systems in the future. In particular, emphasizing the significance of solar energy, these results underscore the imperative for ongoing research and innovation in solar photovoltaic technology to harness its full potential for sustainable and widespread energy solutions. In light of the study results, it is recommended to adopt environmentally friendly manufacturing processes, along with efforts to enhance the flexibility of photovoltaic systems for various applications. Furthermore, a focus on reducing environmental impact and shortening energy payback time is essential. Together, these recommendations contribute to the overarching goal of facilitating the sustainable deployment of PV systems in the future and ensuring their continuity as a large-scale, environmentally responsible energy solution.

The electromagnetic environment on board a military ship is a bounded space with disturbance sources and receivers. It is defined by the maximum disturbance levels in each interior compartment and on the ship's decks. The electromagnetic environment on board a ship is extremely complex, as it depends to a large extent on the density of equipment on board, the characteristics of the equipment installed (frequency bands, power, modulation types, etc.), the measures to prevent electromagnetic radiation pollution taken by designing the ship in such a way that the electromagnetic field strength inside the ship is as low as possible, with reduced risks to the normal operation of the equipment on board and to the personnel on board. The installation of radars in the on-board electromagnetic environment requires an analysis of the electromagnetic compatibility standards that apply to them. To prevent electromagnetic interference in such systems involves describing the composition of the...

PurposeIn a quest to meet increasing pressure to incorporate environmental and sustainability factors due to the legislations and growing public awareness, companies are rethinking of strategizing their supply chain network to take control of the reverse flow of products as well. This growing interest has also led to tremendous growth in publications occurring in several reputed journals in the last few years. In this context, the purpose of this article is to perform a systematic literature survey of recent and state-of-the-art papers in order to draw insights and highlight the future directions.Design/methodology/approachThis paper has selected and reviewed 204 papers published from the year 2002–2017. The papers were collected from the web of science and Google scholar database which have the DOI number. The selected papers were then categorized into main five core areas of RSC management namely reverse supply chain (RSC), Reverse Logistics (RL), Remanufacturing, Closed-Loop Supp...

Managing the growing quantity of used electronic equipment poses challenges for waste management officials. In this paper, we focus on a large component of the electronic waste stream- computer monitors-and the disposal concerns associated with the lead embodied in cathode ray tubes (CRTs) used in most monitors. We develop a policy simulation model of consumers- disposal options based on the costs of these options and their associated environmental impacts. For the stock of monitors disposed of in the United States in 1998, our preliminary findings suggest that bans on some disposal options would increase disposal costs from about $1 per monitor to between $3 and $20 per monitor. Policies to promote a modest amount of recycling of monitor parts, including lead, can be less expensive. In both cases, the costs of the policies exceed the value of the avoided health effects of CRT disposal.

Electronic and electrical equipment for example smartphones, laptops, personal computers, car electronics, etc. represent one of the fastest growing waste (WEEE) stream caused by the accelerated technological development. These devices contain a lot of valuable elements: critical elements (rare earth elements, platinum group metals, In, Ga), precious metals (Ag, Au) and other metals (Cu, Ni, Sn) as well as plastics (polyamide, polyethylene, polypropylene, poly (methyl methacrylate)). The mass ratio of plastics can reach up to even 70% in devices, depending on many parameters, mainly the production year and the application type. Considering mechanical processing methods, sensor-based sorting plays a significant role in waste preparation. The different types of plastics can be separated from each other by applying Near-Infrared (NIR) separators. Present paper gives a literature overview in the field of mechanical processing methods related to WEEE, focusing on NIR separation.

The standard polaron band model of doped organic semiconductors predicts that density-of-states shift into the π–π* gap to give a partially filled polaron band that pins the Fermi level. This picture neglects both Madelung and Hubbard interactions. Here we show using ultrahigh workfunction hole-doped model triarylamine–fluorene copolymers that Hubbard interaction strongly splits the singly-occupied molecular orbital from its empty counterpart, while Madelung (Coulomb) interactions with counter-anions and other carriers markedly shift energies of the frontier orbitals. These interactions lower the singly-occupied molecular orbital band below the valence band edge and give rise to an empty low-lying counterpart band. The Fermi level, and hence workfunction, is determined by conjunction of the bottom edge of this empty band and the top edge of the valence band. Calculations are consistent with the observed Fermi-level downshift with counter-anion size and the observed dependence of wor...

In the manufacturing processes of the electronics industry developed by electrical and electronic equipment and systems, there are variations that indicate the different types of causes that may manifest themselves. These changes in the operating specifications of industrial machinery can happen because electrical failures sometimes occur continuously or in certain daily, weekly and monthly periods. The analysis are carried out at this time mainly to know the operational performance (RO) of the equipment and systems of companies of the electronic turn. This generates imbalances in the planning activities in the programming of the different types of products that are manufactured and with it the decrease of manufactured units and in the majority of the times, economic losses occur. Being the city of Mexicali, a region of the northwest of Mexico where they are installed great amount of industrial plants of the electronic branch, a study with the objective of determining the main cause...

He received the Laurea degree (summa cum laude) and the Ph.D. degree in electronic engineering from the Politecnico di Turin, Turin, in 2000 and 2003, respectively. He is currently an Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering with the Department of Electronics and Telecommunications (DET), Politecnico di Torino, Turin. He has co-authored more than 75 articles appearing in journals and international conference proceedings. His research interests are in the fields of analog, mixed-signal, and power integrated circuit (IC) design and IC-level and System level Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC). Prof. Crovetti is a Senior Member of the IEEE and serves as the Subject Editor-in-Chief of IET Electronics Letters in the area of Circuits and Systems and as an Associate Editor of the IEEE Transactions on VLSI Systems. vii Preface to "Electromagnetic Interference and Compatibility" Due to the continuous progress in semiconductor technology and the rapidly evolving application scenarios, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) is constantly raising new challenges and is a very dynamic field of research. In this context, this collection of papers, originally published in the "Electromagnetic Interference and Compatibility" Special Issue of Electronics for which I served as a Guest Editor, offers a vivid picture of the EMC research challenges and directions over the last years in this complex and multifaceted field. Focusing on EMC in communication systems, the paper "Interference of Spread-Spectrum EMI and Digital Data Links under Narrowband Resonant Coupling" by Crovetti and Musolino highlights how traditional methods like spread-spectrum clock modulation, developed with reference to AM and FM radio receivers, are no longer well suited to digital communications. In the very crucial field of EMC in power electronics, the paper "Signal Transformations for Analysis of Supraharmonic EMI Caused by Switched-Mode Power Supplies" by Sandrolini and Mariscotti explores advanced signal processing techniques (Wavelet Packet Transform and the Empirical Mode Decomposition) in the analysis of electromagnetic emissions of power converters, while in "Modeling and Optimization of Impedance Balancing Technique for Common Mode Noise Attenuation in DC-DC Boost Converters," by Shuaitao Zhang et al. more conventional balancing techniques are optimized to attenuate common-mode emissions. For new application scenarios, EMC challenges in emerging electric vehicles are addressed in "Electromagnetic Susceptibility of Battery Management Systems' ICs for Electric Vehicles: Experimental Study," by Aiello. Moreover, IC-level EMC issues in operational amplifiers are addressed in "EMI Susceptibility of the Output Pin in CMOS Amplifiers" by Richelli, Colalongo, and Kovacs-Vajna, and the susceptibility of Hall Effect sensors is studied in "Hall-Effect Current Sensors Susceptibility to EMI: Experimental Study" by Aiello. New contributions in the area of cross-talk reduction and signal/power integrity are presented in "A Novel Meander Split Power/Ground Plane Reducing Crosstalk of Traces Crossing Over" by Jung-Han Lee and in "A Dual-Perforation Electromagnetic Bandgap Structure for Parallel-Plate Noise Suppression in Thin and Low-Cost Printed Circuit Boards" by Myunghoi Kim. The active research area on the EMC properties of materials and their application to the suppression of interference is represented in this volume by "Shielding Properties of Cement Composites Filled with Commercial Biochar" by Yasir et al. and by "Synthesis and Characterization of Polyaniline-Based Composites for Electromagnetic Compatibility of Electronic Devices" by Gareev et al. Last, but not least, new contributions on ferrite cores and their characterization are presented in "Performance Study of Split Ferrite Cores Designed for EMI Suppression on Cables" by Suarez et al. and in "Simple Setup for Measuring the Response to Differential Mode Noise of Common Mode Chokes" by González-Vizuete et al. Though not exhaustive, the papers collected in this volume can be useful to address practical EMC problems and stimulate future research and should be well received by the EMC community.

Reuse and recycling have become crucial owing to the rapid advance in technology, which leads to the accelerated obsolescence of electronic equipment. Disassembly is the first stage in the recycling process. Manual disassembly has proven to be the most efficient although cost-effective method. Automated systems are justified only when relatively uniform-type equipment or assemblies are disassembled. Layout changes can enhance the disassembly speeds by efficient material movement. New disassembly line layout concept introduces solutions for known problems in existing layouts KEYWORDS: disassembly reuse recycling hazardous materials layout KLJU^NE RIJE^I: rastavljanje ponovna uporaba oporaba opasni materijali postav Postav linije za rastavljanje potro{a~kih elektroni~kih ure|aja Sa`etak Ponovna su uporaba i oporaba postali iznimno va`ni zbog brzoga napretka tehnike koja vodi do ubrzane zastare elektroni~kih ure|aja. Rastavljanje je prvi korak u procesu oporabe. Iako skuplje, ru~no se rastavljanje pokazalo kao naju~inkovitije. Automatizirani sustavi nalaze gospodarnu primjenu samo pri rastavljanju istovrsnih ure|aja ili sklopova. Promjene u postavu mogu pove}ati brzinu rastavljanja u~inkovitijim kretanjem materijala. Zamisao novoga razmje{taja radnih mjesta za rastavljanje elektroni~kih ure|aja predstavlja rje{enje za poznate probleme s postoje}im postrojenjima.

Subject review With increasing awareness of potentially harmful life-cycle environmental impacts, preserving natural resources, government regulations against disposal of toxic substances in landfills, and the consequent development of markets for recycled components and materials, more options are now available for the disposal of post-use electronic equipment (e.g. personal computers, computer monitors etc.). Disassembly is the first stage in the WEEE recycling process. Manual disassembly has proven to be the most efficient method. Automated systems find their implementation only when relatively uniform-type equipment or assemblies are disassembled. Layout changes can enhance disassembly speeds by efficient material movement. This paper presents a proposal of disassembly line layout configuration which has been designed for disassembly of electronic equipment, typically found in residential waste stream, commonly referred to as consumer electronics. This paper introduces also a new concept as a possible solution for the known problems in existing layouts that occur during disassembly process such as disassembly speed, lifting, contamination risk, cluttering of tools and overloading of the sorting operator.

The daily consumption of gold is increasing worldwide; however, its availability from conventional ores is reducing. Alternatively, the presence of gold in waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is nearly 100 times higher than in natural ore. Therefore, the possibility of the recovery and separation of gold from waste printed circuit boards of obsolete mobile phones is studied in the present work. Initially, the optimization of parameters for the quantitative gold leaching from metal clads of PCBs with halide salts at acidic conditions is studied through response surface methodology. Three factors (parameters), viz. temperature, time and stirring speed are altered during the experiments based on the central composite design (CCD). Leaching parameters have been optimized with the help of the second-order empirical equations and analysis of variance (ANOVA) for maximum gold dissolution. The selective recovery and separation of gold from leach liquor have been achieved with s...

Electrical and electronic waste commonly known as e-waste is now one of the world's major concerns. Industries have been so diligent and successful in recent years. The sales and trend of electronic goods have increased rapidly in the world. But with the increase in the manufacturing of electrical and electronic goods and their trend, the result has been somehow leading us to the concern of e-waste. The obsolescence of electrical and electronics goods has become a huge drawback in the field technology because it is measured that various techniques have been used to solve this issue regarding the e-waste produced by industries but none of the solutions to recycle was very effective in the favors of nature and biodiversity. This research paper aims to particularize highlight and determine, the major concern, the effect of e-waste on environment and health.

The results of an experimental study of the thermal resistance of an aluminum gravitational heat pipe with isobutane (R600a) as a working fluid under conditions of heat removal of natural air convection are presented. Comparison of the thermal resistance of an aluminum gravitational heat pipe with a threaded capillary structure and the thermal resistance of an aluminum thermosyphon of the same size, having a smooth surface of the body in the evaporation zone, is given. It is shown that in the range of values of the input heat flux from 5 to 50 W the thermal resistance of the gravitational heat pipe is substantially lower than the thermal resistance of the thermosiphon. The studies were conducted both without the use of additional radiators in the condensation zone of heat transfer devices, and with the use of one, two and three radiators.

The electrical and electronic equipment market (EEE) is a growing one due to technological developments and innovation. The present paper captures the consumer behaviour regarding the purchase, use, and disposal of these types of equipment in the light of the transition to a circular economy. To illustrate consumer perception and attitudes towards EEE products, we conducted quantitative marketing research on a sample of 1005 urban respondents, representative by gender, age, and size of locality of residence. The research results show a rather rational consumer profile in relation to EEE products, but depending on the category of equipment, their involvement in repair, recycling, or reuse actions is different. There is also a relatively low willingness of Romanian consumers to access second-hand EEE products. The article proves its utility by proposing a set of measures to improve the circularity of EEE products, in which both EEE producers and consumers actively participate.