Scientists have blended a mobile phone to conduct a chemical analysis of what materials lie within it.
Smartphones are complex and intricate mechanisms which almost everyone in the world uses on a daily basis..
But a team of scientists wanted to show that there are high quantities of rare or 'conflict' elements in each phone, to encourage people to recycle devices.
They found that these elements need to be mined by extracting high value ores, which is putting a 'significant strain on the planet'.
Rare substances including neodymium and praseodymium, gold, silver and tin are used, but also tungsten and cobalt which are mined from conflict-affected zones.
This type of mining and illegal trade are often controlled by armed groups, which helps to feed a vicious circle of conflicts and child labour.
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Scientists have blended a mobile phone to dust to conduct a chemical analysis of what materials a device contains. Smartphones are complex and intricate devices which most people use on a daily basis
After blending the phone, researchers mixed it with sodium peroxide - a powerful oxidizer - at almost 500C (932F).
Results showed the device contained 33g of iron, 13g of silicon and 7g of chromium, as well as smaller quantities of other abundant substances.
Researchers said the phone also featured a number of 'critical elements' including 900mg of tungsten and 70mg of cobalt and molybdenum, as well as 160mg of neodymium and 30mg of praseodymium.
They also found that each phone also contained 90mg of silver and 36mg of gold.
Scientists say this means that to create one phone, workers would need to mine 10-15kg of ore, including 7kg of high-grade gold ore, 1kg of typical copper ore, 750g of typical tungsten ore and 200g of typical nickel ore.
Every year, 1.4 billion mobile phones are produced around the world, the scientists, from the University of Plymouth, said.
Dr Arjan Dijkstra, lecturer in igneous petrology, said: 'We rely increasingly on our mobile phones but how many of us actually think what is behind the screen?
'When you look, the answer is often tungsten and cobalt from conflict zones in Africa.
'There are also rare elements such as neodymium, praseodymium, gadolinium and dysprosium, not to mention quantities of gold, silver and other high value elements.
'All of these need to be mined by extracting high value ores, which is putting a significant strain on the planet.'
A team of scientists wanted to show that the quantities of rare or 'conflict' elements in each phone contains to encourage people to recycle. They found that these elements need to be mined by extracting high value ores, which is putting a 'significant strain on the planet'
Every year, 1.4 billion mobile phones are produced around the world, the scientists, from the University of Plymouth, said. Results showed the blended device contained 33g of iron, 13g of silicon and 7g of chromium, as well as smaller quantities of other abundant substances
Dr Colin Wilkins, a lecturer in economic geology, said that mining can be part of the solution to the world's problems because we are now part of socially conscious world.
'But we are now in a climate where people are becoming more socially responsible and interested in the contents of what they are purchasing,' he said.
'Partly on the back of this, several of the major mobile phone companies have committed to upping their recycling rates.
'It is a positive sign that the throwaway society we have lived in for decades is changing, and we hope this project will encourage more people to ask questions about their own behaviours.'
The project, a collaboration with scientists and Real World Visuals, was facilitated as part of the Creative Associates initiative.
This is overseen by the University's Sustainable Earth Institute and supported by Higher Education Innovation Funding.
Link hienalouca.com
https://hienalouca.com/2019/03/14/scientists-shove-smartphone-into-blender-to-analyse-its-contents/
Main photo article Scientists have blended a mobile phone to conduct a chemical analysis of what materials lie within it.
Smartphones are complex and intricate mechanisms which almost everyone in the world uses on a daily basis..
But a team of scientists wanted to show that there are high quantities of rare or ...
It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.
Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.
Dianne Reeves Online news HienaLouca
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/03/13/16/10941414-0-image-a-23_1552493823604.jpg
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