Plastics
A Rutgers University chemist has developed a new type of plastic that mimics natural polymers to break down on demand, potentially reducing environmental pollution. Inspired by plastic waste during a hike, Yuwei Gu's team engineered materials that degrade under everyday conditions without harsh treatments. The breakthrough, detailed in Nature Chemistry, allows precise control over breakdown times from days to years.
Reported by AI
Researchers at Rutgers University have developed a technique to create plastics that break down in days, months, or years, inspired by natural polymers like DNA. This approach aims to reduce environmental pollution from discarded plastics. The method mimics chemical structures that enable quick degradation in nature.