Scientists develop a plastic that quickly dissolves in seawater

Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years.TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust Forward-looking: Plastic materials have become a cornerstone of modern life, but their widespread use has created a growing environmental challenge. Scientists worldwide are racing to develop sustainable solutions to plastic pollution, and a research team in Japan may have made a significant breakthrough toward that goal. A team of Japanese researchers has developed a plastic material that disappears in seawater within hours, leaving no harmful residues. Designed to be more environmentally friendly than traditional biodegradable plastics, it breaks down without leaving microplastic particles to pollute the world's oceans. Scientists from the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science and the University of Tokyo developed the new plastic material. It matches the strength of traditional petroleum-based plastics but breaks down into its original components when exposed to salt. Naturally occu ... Read full article.