Scientists from the American Chemical Society have successfully developed a method to extract gold from electronic waste such as smartphones and laptops in a more efficient and environmentally friendly way. The conventional method involves using toxic chemicals, while this new technique uses a non-toxic compound called Alpha-cyclodextrin. This compound can effectively bind to gold ions, facilitating their separation from the rest of the electronic waste. The researchers believe that this innovation can help reduce the harmful effects of gold mining and provide a more sustainable source of the precious metal.