Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Parul University, IIT Palakkad Patent E-Waste Innovation
Two Indian research institutions created and patented a new way to reuse parts from old mobile-phone batteries.
They recover copper foil from the discarded batteries.
Instead of treating the copper as ordinary scrap metal, they turn it into a special material called CuBTC.
This material belongs to a group called metal-organic frameworks.
It might be useful for sensing, chemical reactions and energy technologies.
Researchers from Parul University and IIT Palakkad worked together on the invention.
The idea could help reduce electronic waste and make better use of valuable materials.
More research is needed to determine how it can be scaled up and used by industry.
Parul University and IIT Palakkad jointly secured a patent for an e-waste conversion technology.
The process uses copper foil recovered from discarded mobile-phone batteries to synthesize CuBTC.
CuBTC is a copper-based metal-organic framework with potential uses in sensing, catalysis and energy systems.
Researchers from both institutions developed the technology through their collaborative research partnership.
The innovation aims to support circular-economy goals, resource efficiency and potential industrial scale-up.
- Who
- Parul University and the Indian Institute of Technology Palakkad, with researchers Dr. Soyebkhan Pathan, Muskan Memon and Dr. Abdul Rasheed P.
- What
- The institutions secured a joint patent for converting copper recovered from discarded mobile-phone batteries into CuBTC.
- Why
- To create a value-added material from electronic waste and support resource recovery, circular-economy goals and sustainable manufacturing.
- Patent holders
- Parul University and the Indian Institute of Technology Palakkad
- Source material
- Copper foil recovered from discarded mobile-phone batteries
- Product
- CuBTC, a copper-based metal-organic framework
- Potential applications
- Sensing, catalysis, electrochemical technologies and energy-related systems
- Researchers
- Dr. Soyebkhan Pathan, Muskan Memon and Dr. Abdul Rasheed P.
- Collaboration framework
- An MoU between Parul University and IIT Palakkad supports joint research, academic interaction and knowledge exchange
- Future scope
- Further research, scale-up and potential industrial applications