University of Illinois engineers have created heat-activated self-destructing electronic devices. A radio-controlled trigger remotely prompts the process on demand.

The heat-triggered devices use magnesium circuits printed on very thin, flexible materials. The researchers trap microscopic droplets of a weak acid in wax. When the devices are coated in the wax and heated, the wax melts, releasing the acid. The acid dissolves the device quickly and completely.

To remotely trigger the reaction, the University of Illinois team embedded a radio-frequency receiver and an inductive heating coil in the device. After sending a signal, the coil heats up, which melts the wax and dissolves the equipment.

A device self-destructs within 20 seconds to a couple of minutes after heat is applied. The researchers can also control how fast the electronics tool degrades by tuning the thickness of the wax, the concentration of the acid, and the temperature. The devices also can deteriorate in steps by encasing different parts in waxes with different melting temperatures.

The technology will improve efforts reduce electronic waste and boost sustainability in manufacturing processes.

Source