Parul University And IIT Palakkad Secure Joint Patent For E-Waste Innovation

Parul University and the Indian Institute of Technology Palakkad have jointly secured a patent for a groundbreaking technology that converts copper recovered from discarded mobile-phone batteries into a valuable advanced material. This significant achievement is a result of their joint research efforts, aimed at creating sustainable solutions for environmental challenges.

The newly developed patent involves using copper foil, extracted from old mobile-phone batteries, as a starting material to synthesize CuBTC, a copper-based metal-organic framework (MOF). Unlike conventional e-waste recycling methods that involve multiple stages for metal recovery, this innovative approach directly converts the copper into a functional material with potential applications in sensing, catalysis, electrochemical technologies, and energy-related systems.

The patent was developed by Dr. Soyebkhan Pathan and research scholar Ms. Muskan Memon from Parul University, alongside Dr. Abdul Rasheed P. from IIT Palakkad. This collaboration exemplifies the institutions' commitment to translating collaborative research into practical innovations for resource recovery and advanced material development.

By showcasing a 'waste-to-value' approach, this development demonstrates how electronic waste can be transformed into a valuable resource for advanced materials. This achievement also highlights the broader collaboration between Parul University and IIT Palakkad, as outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that promotes joint research, academic interaction, knowledge exchange, and collaborative innovation.

The patented technology aligns with global priorities such as circular economy, resource efficiency, sustainable manufacturing, and indigenous technology development. Furthermore, it opens up possibilities for further research, scale-up, and potential industrial applications.