DIY Ceramic Circuit Boards Surely Count As Solarpunk

- Solarpunk’s DIY ethos meets hard engineering! Emily Velasco proves sustainable PCBs are viable by baking copper traces directly into native clay. Using a 3D-printed stamp to etch circuits into unfired pottery, then sintering the copper in a reducing atmosphere, creates a fully functional board. LEDs blink happily, driven by an astable oscillator baked right into the ceramic. This isn’t just art; it’s a resilient, petrochemical-free alternative to traditional FR4. As digital infrastructure demands greener physical layers, this technique offers a scalable path for eco-conscious robotics and automation. It’s high-tech sustainability: no toxic baths, just fire, clay, and conductive metal. A timely hack for the future of hardware.