Special Issue on Electromechanical Coupling Design for Electronic Equipment

With the development of electronic equipment to high accuracy, high density, high frequency, and atrocious ser- vice environment, the functional surface in this type of equipment has increasingly serious problems,

Coupling Modeling for Functional Surface of Electronic Equipment

High performance electromechanical equipment is widely used in various fields, such as national defense, industry and so on [ 1]. In addition, the technical level of high performance electromechanical equipment is the embodiment of the national level of science and technology.

Modern Maintenance Strategy of Electronic Equipment in Complex Electromechanical System

In this paper, the failure mechanism of electronic equipment was analysed.Aiming at the limitation of traditional maintenance modes, modern maintenance strategy was putforward on the basis of reliability-centered maintenance ( RCM) combined with condition-basedmaintenance ( CBM) and maintenance efficiency review (MER). A maintenance management informationsystem was constructed for electronic equipment for the purpose of failure analysis, reliabilityevaluation, and maintenance decisions such as time, mode, and plan. The best maintenance time couldbe predicted with failure analysis and reliability evaluation, which was mainly influenced byenvironmental stress. Suitable maintenance modes should be determined from equipment importance,failure aftereffect, maintenance condition, and economical power so as to ensure equipmentreliability and decrease the requirement of the maintenance source.

A review on the cooling of energy conversion and storage systems using thermoelectric modules

Exploitation of sustainable energy sources requires the use of unique conversion and storage systems,such as solar panels,batteries,fuel cells,and electronic equipment.Thermal load management of these energy conversion and storage systems is one of their challenges and concerns.In this article,the thermal management of these systems using thermoelectric modules is reviewed.The results show that by choosing the right option to remove heat from the hot side of the thermoelectric modules,it will be a suitable local cooling,and the thermoelectric modules increase the power and lifespan of the system by reducing the spot temperature.Thermoelectric modules were effective in reducing panel temperature.They increase the time to reach a temperature above 50℃ in batteries by 3 to 4 times.Also,in their integration with fuel cells,they increase the power density of the fuel cell.

Comparative studies on hydrometallurgical treatment of smelted low-grade electronic scraps for selective copper recovery

A comparison of three hydrometallurgical methods for selective recovery of copper from low-grade electric and electronic wastes was reported. Scraps were smelted to produce Cu？Zn？Sn？Ag alloy. Multiphase material was analyzed by SEM？EDS and XRD. The alloy was dissolved anodically with simultaneous metal electrodeposition using ammoniacal and sulfuric acid solutions or leached in ammonia？ammonium sulfate solution and then copper electrowinning was carried out. This resulted in the separation of metals, where lead, silver and tin accumulated mainly in the slimes, while copper was transferred to the electrolyte and then recovered on the cathode. The best conditions of the alloy treatment were obtained in the sulfuric acid, where the final product was metal of high purity （99% Cu） at the current efficiency of 90%. Ammoniacal leaching of the alloy led to the accumulation of copper ions in the electrolyte and further metal electrowinning, but the rate of the spontaneous dissolution was low. Anodic dissolution of the alloy in the ammonia？ammonium sulfate solution led to the unfavorable distribution of metals among the slime, electrolyte and cathodic deposit.

Companies’ E-waste Estimation Based on General Equilibrium The­ory Context and Random Forest Regression Algorithm in Cameroon: Case Study of SMEs Implementing ISO 14001:2015

Given the challenge of estimating or calculating quantities of waste electrical and electronic equipment(WEEE)in developing countries,this article focuses on predicting the WEEE generated by Cameroonian small and medium enterprises(SMEs)that are engaged in ISO 14001:2015 initiatives and consume electrical and electronic equipment(EEE)to enhance their performance and profitability.The methodology employed an exploratory approach involving the application of general equilibrium theory(GET)to contextualize the study and generate relevant parameters for deploying the random forest regression learning algorithm for predictions.Machine learning was applied to 80%of the samples for training,while simulation was conducted on the remaining 20%of samples based on quantities of EEE utilized over a specific period,utilization rates,repair rates,and average lifespans.The results demonstrate that the model’s predicted values are significantly close to the actual quantities of generated WEEE,and the model’s performance was evaluated using the mean squared error(MSE)and yielding satisfactory results.Based on this model,both companies and stakeholders can set realistic objectives for managing companies’WEEE,fostering sustainable socio-environmental practices.

Dynamic temperature prediction of electronic equipment under high altitude long endurance conditions

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle（UAV） is developing towards the direction of High Altitude Long Endurance（HALE）. This will have an important influence on the stability of its airborne electronic equipment using passive thermal management. In this paper, a multi-node transient thermal model for airborne electronic equipment is set up based on the thermal network method to predict their dynamic temperature responses under high altitude and long flight time conditions. Some relevant factors are considered into this temperature prediction model including flight environment,radiation, convection, heat conduction, etc. An experimental chamber simulating a high altitude flight environment was set up to survey the dynamic thermal responses of airborne electronic equipment in a UAV. According to the experimental measurement results, the multi-node transient thermal model is verified without consideration of the effects of flight speed. Then, a modified way about outside flight speed is added into the model to improve the temperature prediction performance. Finally, the corresponding simulation code is developed based on the proposed model. It can realize the dynamic temperature prediction of airborne electronic equipment under HALE conditions.

Recovery of Metals from Anodic Dissolution Slime of Waste from Electric and Electronic Equipment（WEEE） by Extraction in Ionic Liquids

The recovery of metals from a multi-component alloy obtained by crushing, melting and anodic dissolution of waste from electric and electronic equipment（WEEE） was investigated. The anodic dissolution of the alloy was carried out in an electrolysis cell with one copper cathode and a central cast anode, immersed in the electrolyte formed by choline chloride-ethylene glycol-iodine. The temperature of the electrolyte during the process was 343 K. Depending on the electrolysis parameters（current density and cell voltage）, cathodic deposits of Sn, Pb and Zn of 〉99% purity were obtained. Cyclic voltammetry was used in order to determine the deposition potentials of the studied metals. The obtained metallic deposits were subject of determination of XRD, SEM/EDX and AFM in order to evidence the deposits structure and morphology. The experiments performed demonstrated the possibility of separating/selective recovery of metals from the multi-component alloy resulted from the waste from electrical and electronic equipment by anodic dissolution in ionic liquids.

Application analysis of efficient heat dissipation of electronic equipment based on flexible nanocomposites

The efficient heat dissipation of electronic equipment is very important,its heat dissipation performance directly determines the life of the equipment itself.A hand-held electronic communications equipment,when used in surface temperature is exorbitant,need to heat dissipation equipment efficiently,to ensure that the use of comfort in the handheld.In accordance with this requirement,this article presents a flexible composite material based on nano-efficient cooling methods that can keep the layout,through the improvement of internal thermal path,it can achieve the effective heat dissipation.The network thermal resistance method is used to analyze the heat transfer in the equipment,and the thermal analysis of the local thermal resistance is carried out.At the same time,through the modeling of electronic equipment and the analysis of finite elements,the temperature drop of the equipment after improvement is accurately judged.Finally,the device experimental performance comparison before and after the optimization of the standby mode and working mode is verified.The results show that the optimized equipment heat source temperature can be reduced by up to 8.5℃,the surface temperature of the equipment can be reduced by about 5℃~7℃,and the final control equipment in the steady standby state of the temperature of about 39±0.5℃,to ensure the comfort of use,and also improved the service life of the equipment.The efficient thermal design of electronic equipment based on flexible nanocomposites can provide a convenient and reliable cooling solution for high-heat flow density devices.

Managing economic and social profit of cooperative models in three-echelon reverse supply chain for waste electrical and electronic equipment

In addition to maximizing economic benefits, reverse supply chains should further seek to maximize social benefits by increasing the quantity of waste electrical and electronic equipment （WEEE）. The paper investigates cooperative models with different parties in a three-echelon reverse supply chain for WEEE consisting of a single collector, a single remanufacturer, and two retailers based on complete information. In acldition, the optimal decisions of four cooperative models and the effect of the market demand of remanufactured WEEE products and the market share of two retailers on the optimal decisions are discussed. The results indicate that optimal total channel profit and recycle quantity in a reverse supply chain are maximized in a centralized model. The optimal total channel profit and recycle quantity increase with an increase in the market demand of remanufactured WEEE products. The three-echelon reverse supply chain consisting of duopolistic retailers maximizes total channel profit and recycle quantity in a reverse supply chain fbr WEEE.

Methodology for Precious Metal Recovery in Computer Printed Circuit

The life of electronic equipment is becoming increasingly shorter and its replacement always generates a quantity of waste increase, giving rise to a problem of environmental character and still needed new options of solid waste management that will contribute to global sustainable development. Parts of these waste are TCI （the card＇s printed circuit） which containing dangerous elements and turns them into a polluting material from the soil, water and air, being harmful to human health if there is to proper and responsible way, so the recycling of TCI to obtain precious metals is an example of industrial materials that can be recycled. Despite this, large quantities of these are not recycled and some others are not considered. The objective of this work is to present a systematic and ecological methodology for the recovery of valuable materials contained in parts of used in computers, circuit boards using a leaching process. The method determines a set of variables to evaluate the kinetics of the reaction and the leaching of metals that form the substrate of metal and to establish the parameters that affect the rate of leaching of metals through a sensitivity analysis, to identify design alternatives. It determines the quantity and percentages that constitutes the motherboard, processor, video cards, accelerator graphics, network and memory cards RAM, among others and its content of metals such as Cu, Fe, Ag, Au and Pt.

Prediction Model for Cooling of an Electrical Unit with Time-Dependent Heat Generation

The satisfactory performance of electrical equipments depends on their operating temperature. In order to maintain these devices within the safe temperature limits, an effective cooling is needed. High heat transfer rate of compact in size and reliable operation are the challenges of a thermal design engineer of electronic equipment. Then, it has been simulated the transient a three-dimensional model to study the heating phenomenon with two assumption values of heat generation. To control for the working of this equipment, cooling process was modeled by choosing one from different cooling technique. Constant low speed fan at one direction of air flow was used for cooling to predict the reducing of heating temperature through working of this equipment. Numerical Solution of finite difference time domain method （FDTD） has been utilized to simulate the temporal and spatial temperature profiles through two processes, which would minimize the solution errors.

Precise Control of Temperature Rising Speed of Wafer during Rapid Thermal Processing

In rapid thermal processing of a semiconductor wafer, it is important to keep a given temperature rising speed of the wafer during the temperature rising process. We made an experimental apparatus to measure the temperature rising speed of a ceramic ball of 2 mm in diameter heated with four halogen lamp heaters. The heating rate of the halogen lamp heaters was controlled by computer to keep a given temperature rising speed of 50 ℃/s with a controlling time interval of 0.1 s. We examined the effect of various heating control methods on the error of the temperature rising speed of the ceramic ball. We found that a combined method of control with prepared correlation and PID （proportional integral derivative） control is a good method to decrease the error of the temperature rising speed. The average error of the temperature rising speed is 0.5 ℃/s, and the repetition error is almost zero for the temperature rising speed of 50 ℃/s from 330 ℃ to 370 ℃. We also measured the effects of artificial control delay time and measuring error of the monitoring temperature on the error of the temperature rising speed.

Importance of Life Cycle Analysis of the Printed Circuit Board Computer

It is estimated that there is a generation of 307,224 ton/year [1] of waste from electronic and electronic equipment (WEEE) in Mexico, of which 10% is recycled, 40% remains stored and 50% reaches landfills or uncontrolled dumps. In the practice, even the regulatory instruments are not consolidated and the adequate management of the use of WEEE management, so the aim of this study is an analysis of life cycle of printed circuit boards (TCI) to identify the management alternatives that represent the least impact to the environment. This assessment was carried out using software SIMAPRO to determine the environmental impact of each scenario, through the comparison of impacts and the proposed improvements to reduce it, following phases of this methodology by applying standards, ISO 14040/ISO 14044 [2], using data from the INE official reports since 2006 until 2010 which concentrate the information of the WEEE problem in Mexico. These data were pooled to carry out inventories according to the availability in the information, identifying the environmental impacts generated by processing. The conclusions of the LCA will serve to identify the stage with greater environmental impact, and thus propose ideas for improvement in order to minimize this impact.

Spatiotemporal dynamics of city-level WEEE generation from different sources in China

China stands as one of the leading producers of waste electrical and electronic equipment(WEEE),facing significant challenges in managing the substantial volumes generated.Despite existing regulations,the informal treatment of WEEE persists in some areas due to inadequate recycling networks at the city level.Consequently,there is a critical need for a detailed geographical mapping of WEEE generation to address improper disposal practices effectively.This study introduces the cMAC–EEEs(city Material Cycles and Manufactured Capital–EEEs)database,providing estimates of WEEE generation across approximately 300 prefecture-level cities from 1978 to 2017.It focuses on five commonly used types of electrical and electronic equipment(refrigerators,air conditioners,washing machines,computers,TVs)originating from three key sources(urban residents,rural residents,enterprises).The findings reveal(1)significant spatial variation in WEEE generation within China,with eastern and central city clusters identified as hotspots,particularly for urban residents and enterprises,while the western region exhibits the highest growth rate in WEEE generation,notably among rural residents.(2)The growth in obsolete computers and air conditioners is prominent,especially in rural areas and among enterprises,whereas the generation of obsolete TVs,washing machines,and refrigerators is leveling off and expected to decrease in some urban areas.(3)Enterprises account for a substantial portion of WEEE generation,though uncertainties exist,necessitating further refinement.The study highlights that less developed regions lack adequate recycling facilities,with specific limitations in refrigerators and air conditioners recycling capabilities.To enhance WEEE management,it advocates for increased interregional collaboration and capacity building in less developed areas.Additionally,the regulation of WEEE from private enterprises requires improvement.At the product level,a greater focus on recycling practices for refrigerators and air conditioners is recommended.

High efficiency organic light-emitting diodes using CuO_x/Cu dual buffer layers

An organic light-emitting diode （OLED） device with high efficiency and brightness is fabricated by inserting CuOJCu dual inorganic buffer layers between indium-tin-oxide （ITO） and hole-transport layer （HTL）. The CuOx/Cu buffer layer limits the operating current density obviously, while the brightness and efficiency are both enhanced greatly. The highest brightness of the optimized device is achieved to be 14 000 cd/m2 at current efficiency of 3 cd/A and bias voltage of 15 V, which is about 50% higher than that of the compared device without CuOJCu buffer layer. The highest efficiency is achieved to be 5.9 cd/A at 11.6 V with 3 400 cd/m^2, which is almost twice as high as that of the compared device.

Comparison on End-of-Life strategies of WEEE in China based on LCA

As the Electrical and Electronic Equipment （EEE） are upgraded more frequently in China, a large quantity of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment （WEEE） was and will be generated. It becomes an urgent issue to develop and adopt an effective End-of-Life （EoL） strategy for EEE in order to balance the resource recovery and environmental impacts. In an EoL strategy hierarchy for EEE, reuse strategy is usually deemed to be prior to materials recovery and other strategies. But in practice, the advantages and disadvantages of different strategies are always context-dependent. Therefore, main EoL strategies for EEE in China need to be evaluated in environment and resources aspects from the life cycle perspective. In this study, the obsolete refrigerator and Power Supply Unit （PSU） ofdesktop PC are both taken as the target products. Life Cycle Assessment （LCA） is applied to assess the environmental impacts of different EoL scenarios in China： Unit Reuse Scenario （URS）, Component Reuse Scenario （CRS） and Materials Recovery Scenario （MRS）. The LCA results show that the EoL strategies hierarchy is reasonable for the part＇of computer, bui not necessarily suitable for obsolete refrigerators. When the policy makers promote or demote one EoL strategy especially reuse, it is necessary to take subsequent impacts into consideration.

Pyrolysis of WEEE plastics using catalysts produced from fly ash of coal gasification

Catalytic pyrolysis of thermoplastics extracted from waste electrical and electronic equipment （WEEE） was investigated using various fly ash-derived catalysts. The catalysts were prepared from fly ash by a simple method that basically includes a mechanical treatment followed by an acid or a basic activation. The synthesized catalysts were characterized using various analytical techniques. The results showed that not treated fly ash （FA） is characterized by good crystallinity, which in turn is lowered by mechanical and chemical treatment （fly ash after mechanical and acid activation, FAMA） and suppressed almost entirely down to let fly ash become completely amorphous （fly ash al^er mechanical and basic activation FAMB）. Simultaneously, the surface area resulted increased. Subsequently, FA, FAMB and FAMA were used in the pyrolysis of a WEEE plastic sample at 400~C and their performance were compared with thermal pyrolysis at the same temperature. The catalysts principally improve the light oil yield： from 59 wt.% with thermal pyrolysis to 83 wt.% using FAMB. The formation of styrene in the oil is also increased： from 243 mg/g with thermal pyrolysis to 453 mg/g using FAMB. As a result, FAMB proved to be the best catalyst, thus producing also the lowest and the highest amount of char and gas, respectively.

An updated review and conceptual model for optimizing WEEE management in China from a life cycle perspective

Waste electrical and electronic equipment （WEEE） is a rapidly growing category of solid waste. China is now facing WEEE problems from both growing domestic generation and illegal imports. Currently, the amount of WEEE formally treated has increased steadily in China. The layout of the formal sector has been basically completed. Meanwhile, by controlling illegal disassembly activities, the informal sector has been gradually transformed to formal one. Beginning with the overview of the WEEE recycling industry in China, this paper first lists the latest progress in WEEE management from such aspects as the new edition of China RollS Directive （Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive）, the updated WEEE Treatment List, the updated WEEE fund standard, the revised National Hazardous Waste List, and a brand-new plan on extended producer responsibility. In so doing, we elucidate the current challenges on WEEE management in detail： the imbalance between fund levies and subsidies, the gap in the supervision scope, the homogenization of recycling industry and the lack of life cycle approaches. Finally, a conceptual framework for integrated management of WEEE is proposed from a life cycle perspective. Overall, the life cycle management of WEEE includes three aspects： developing life cycle information for decision-making, implementing life cycle engineering with life cycle tools, and improving WEEE legislation based on life cycle thinking. By providing specific operating strategies, this life cycle framework should help to optimize WEEE management in developing countries where legislation is imperfect and the recycling system is relatively immature.

Improvement potential of today＇s WEEE recycling performance： The case of LCD TVs in Belgium

Waste of electrical and electronic equipment （WEEE） constitutes one of the most relevant waste streams because of the quantity and presence of valuable materials. However, there is limited knowledge on the resource potential of urban mining WEEE, as data on material composition, and the efficiency of current recycling treatments are still scarce. In this article, an evaluationof the recycling performance at a national level for one of the fastest growing e-waste streams： LCD TVs is carried out through the following four steps. Firstly, material characterisation is performed by means of sampling of the waste stream. Secondly, a material flow analysis is conducted by evaluating the separation performance of a recycling plant in Belgium..Thirdly, the recovered economic value and avoided environmental impact （EI） of the analysed recycling system is assessed. Finally, the potential of urban mining for Belgium is forecasted. The analysis shows that while recycling performance for ferrous metals and aluminium are relatively high; there is substantial room to better close the material loops for precious metals （PM） and plastics. PMs and plastics account for 66 % of the economic value in LCD TVs and 57% of the El. With the current, commonly applied recycling technology only one-third of the PM and housing plastics are recycled; meaning that for＇these material＇s, at a national level for Belgium, there is a potential for improvement that represents 3.3 million euros in 2016 and 6.8 million euros in 2025.