Multilayer Optical Interconnect Based on Holographic Lithography

65735 There are many sources of coated (metallized and painted plastics) yet recyclable plastics from post-industrial processes that are available in large, pre-sorted quantities. Furthermore, advances in separation technologies continue to make available more sources of these potentially recyclable materials from post-consumer waste streams. However, the inability to remove coating materials from plastics in an environmentally friendly and cost effective manner results in the landfill of hundreds of millions of pounds of valuable polymer substrate materials each year. Accordingly, trillions of Btus of energy are lost that could otherwise be conserved if appropriate techniques were developed for recovery and recycle. This project will develop processing methodologies to separate coated plastics parts out of existing commercial waste-streams and remove the coatings from the plastic substrate materials in order to support the recovery and recycle of valuable polymer substrate materials. Phase I demonstrated that an existing demetallization technology could be adapted to the removal of coatings from a variety of high value plastic substrate materials. Phase II will optimize the process for coatings removal in a variety of automotive and consumer electronic applications. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The coatings removal technology should have broad application within the automotive industry where the recovered substrate materials could be used for decorative coatings, structural glazings, under-hood applications, and interior automotive components. Other applications include the development of specialized compounds based around these recycled materials for use in consumer electronics (cell phone cases, computer housings, etc.).