Comments on: Facebook and Open Compute want a biodegradable server chassis

By: Fred Stein

Fred Stein — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 01:09:11 +0000

Why not standardize the chassis? Then we can replace the circuit boards and re-use the steel in site. And that can reduce shipping cost by reducing weight. It may increase labor at data centers but that’s a happy trade off – more people employed – less waste.

By: Nicole

Nicole — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 19:56:00 +0000

Fortunately there is already a cardboard computer – which is being used as a server at some businesses – http://www.recomputepc.com

It works great and is extremely sturdy and well-designed.

By: Heather Brotherton

Heather Brotherton — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 14:18:49 +0000

I would expect to see something such as Nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) used.
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21528786.100-why-wood-pulp-is-worlds-new-wonder-material.html

By: Edward Beardsworth

Edward Beardsworth — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 19:25:30 +0000

Is this Onion.com? They’re kidding, right? I mean, how short is the life of a soda can, and we recycle that.

By: Ron Davis

Ron Davis — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 19:08:06 +0000

I question the structural strength of a polymer based biodegradable chassis unless it was impregnated with carbon fiber or something like that. Still the cost of something like this would be much higher than a steel chassis.

My thought is to design a better steel chassis that is easily refurbishable due to its modularity. I believe the real challenge would be to build a server chassis that can last for 20 years before recycling.