by Arrman Kyaw

Purdue University, the University of Maryland and Auburn University will lead a multi-year project to reduce the military’s reliance on lead-based electronics, WISH TV reported.

The three schools were chosen by the Defense Department for the Lead-Free Defense Electronics Project, which has received $40 million over five to seven years.

Purdue was given $1 million in this first year to hasten the switch to lead-free electronics in aerospace and defense electronics, WISH TV reported.

While the switch to lead-free has been ongoing, particularly in commercial sectors, defense and aerospace have been trailing.

“As a result of this worldwide transition, all advanced electronics are lead-free and have evolved to be used in increasingly demanding environments,” said Carol Handwerker, Purdue professor of materials engineering and a principal investigator for the Lead-Free Defense Electronics Project.