Genetic Algorithms and Repurposed Electronics: Revolutionizing E-Waste Mitigation

Abstract

The fast pace of technological advancement and consumer demand contribute to an ever-growing accumulation of electronic waste. These devices' improper disposal and inadequate recycling have led to environmental degradation and potential health hazards due to hazardous substances. Moreover, this issue also adds to the depletion of valuable resources. To address the e-waste problem, innovative approaches are crucial. Many solutions attempt to exploit e-waste by having the obsolete devices perform work less substantially than initially designed. This study, in contrast, demonstrates that it is possible to repurpose e-waste electronics for sophisticated jobs. Specifically, the power of CPU boards from outdated tablets was harnessed to execute genetic algorithms. The successful results from the experiments in this study show that it is possible to use outdated devices to perform tasks such as fine-tuning antennas and attitude optimization of aerospace devices. By transforming discarded electronics into valuable resources for specific applications, we can help mitigate the environmental impact and contribute to a more responsible technological ecosystem.