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It’s about time one of the biggest inventions of the last century gets a sustainable makeover. We’re talking about the computer, which thanks to an ingenious group of students at Stanford University, has been transformed into a fully recyclable laptop that can be completely disassembled in two minutes without any tools.
Originally a class project run by Stanford graduate student Aaron Engel-Hall, the  Bloom Laptop was conceived to address a main barrier to computer recyclability: the amount of time and effort required for the consumer to disassemble and recycle the average computer. Though most of the materials in normal laptops can easily be recycled, parts made from glass, metal and plastic are often packed together so tightly that separating them becomes a challenge. These materials and other precious metals such as platinum, lithium and indium often go to waste when a computer is not properly recycled.
But with support from Autodesk and its Autodesk Inventor Publisher software, the Stanford team was able to digitally prototype its new laptop design—one which cuts the time required to disassemble a traditional laptop from 120 steps to just 10. The Bloom is built in such a way that each piece can be recycled with ease, ensuring that valuable materials are not lost and other parts are correctly disposed of.
The modular design allows both for easy disassembly as well as other cool features, such as a detachable keyboard and mouse. Upgrades and repairs are also incredibly straightforward and simple. “Buying a computer is no longer a singular investment,” said Engel-Hall, “but a longer-term relationship between the consumer and the service provider.” M
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