Turning E-Waste into a Lifesaver: Researchers Develop Healthcare Sensor from Discarded Mobile Batteries

In a groundbreaking study, Dr. Abdul Rasheed P, Prof. Jagadeesh Bayry, and researchers from IIT Palakkad in collaboration Dr. Soyebkhan Pathan and his team from Parul University, Gujarat have developed an innovative method to upcycle e-waste into a valuable healthcare sensor.  This pioneering study not only addresses the critical issue of e-waste management but also exemplifies how scientific innovation can bridge the gap between sustainability and healthcare. The researchers successfully recovered copper from used mobile phone batteries and converted it into a metal-organic framework (MOF), a porous material known for its advanced applications. This MOF was then used to modify a screen-printed electrode, enabling highly sensitive and selective electrochemical detection of bilirubin—a key biomarker for liver function.