Overview
- Published in Nature Chemistry, the study shows plastic lifetimes can be tuned from days to years by controlling the spatial arrangement of neighboring groups.
- The materials remain durable during use but rapidly deconstruct when activated by everyday triggers such as ultraviolet light or metal ions.
- Early assays suggest the resulting breakdown liquid shows no acute toxicity, with broader environmental and biological safety testing now underway.
- Current limits include the need for light to initiate decay, so items kept buried or in darkness would not degrade under present designs.
- The team is evaluating compatibility with existing polymers and manufacturing, citing near‑term potential for short‑lived packaging and future uses like timed drug‑release capsules.