# Advancements in electronic waste metal recovery

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/advancements-in-electronic-waste-metal-recovery
> Updated: 2026-08-25T23:51:00.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2.

Research and industrial developments are advancing methods for recovering valuable metals from electronic waste.

In the United States, researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have developed a molecule designed for electrochemically mediated liquid-liquid extraction (e-LLE). This method uses electrical signals to trigger chemical reactions, potentially reducing the need for traditional acids and bases in the recovery of gold and other metals.

In Australia, Lithium Universe, in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh, has demonstrated the laboratory-scale extraction of gallium and platinum from e-waste. Using licensed diamide technology and hydrochloric acid solutions, researchers achieved recovery rates exceeding 99% for these metals under specific conditions. While successful in a laboratory setting, the technology requires further scale-up and commercial evaluation for industrial application.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-25: Lithium Universe recovers gallium and platinum from e-waste

Lithium Universe and the University of Edinburgh have achieved over 99% recovery of gallium and platinum from electronic waste using specialized diamide technology in laboratory tests.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lithium-universe-recovers-gallium-and-platinum-from-e-waste

### 2026-08-14: University of Illinois researchers develop cleaner gold recovery method

University of Illinois researchers developed a multifunctional molecule that uses electricity to recover gold from electronic waste, potentially reducing the need for chemical reagents in recycling.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/university-of-illinois-researchers-develop-cleaner-gold-recovery-method

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Cite as: Advancements in electronic waste metal recovery. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/advancements-in-electronic-waste-metal-recovery