Overview
- Researchers embed conformationally preorganized neighboring groups that mimic natural polymers to speed internal bond cleavage.
- Material lifetimes can be tuned from days to years, with breakdown built in or triggered by ultraviolet light, ambient sunlight, or metal ions.
- The plastics retain strength during use and then deconstruct into small fragments without heat or harsh chemicals when activated.
- Early tests found the breakdown liquid non-toxic, though full ecotoxicity, long-term safety, and activation in dark or buried settings remain open questions.
- The team is assessing compatibility with existing plastics and manufacturing and is exploring applications from short-life packaging to timed drug delivery.