A novel plastic material can vanish in only a few hours. Japanese researchers have created a plastic alternative engineered to disintegrate quickly upon contact with seawater, avoiding the lasting microplastic particles that now pollute the global environment. The key mechanism involves salt. Teams from the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science and the University of Tokyo constructed the substance with molecular connections called salt bridges. In ordinary settings these links keep the material intact so that it functions similarly to standard plastic. Once immersed in saltwater, however, the dissolved salts disrupt the molecular bridges. The structure then unlocks. Rather than gradually shattering into ever-smaller plastic fragments, the material reverts to its original water-soluble building blocks. Laboratory tests showed that sheets of the material fully broke apart in saltwater after approximately 8.5 hours. A subsequent demonstration revealed a small sample vanishing in agitated seawater within about one hour. This difference matters greatly. Ordinary plastics rarely vanish completely when they degrade. Exposure to sunlight, waves, and friction merely splits them into microscopic particles that endure in ecosystems and move into marine food chains. The new material is intended to bypass that process altogether. After dissolving, its constituents can be further decomposed by natural microbes, so scientists anticipate no enduring microplastic remnants. The material also proves remarkably durable. Researchers fabricated versions whose strength matches that of traditional petroleum-derived plastics. It can appear transparent, resist flames, and be reshaped under high heat. Salt present in soil initiates a comparable reaction, though at a much slower rate. Tests indicated that a piece roughly two inches across broke down in soil after about 200 hours. An evident obstacle remains: everyday plastic items must often withstand water exposure. The developers note that waterproof coatings can shield the material during typical use, and refining such protective layers now forms a central focus of ongoing research.

Scientists have discovered that the fungus Aspergillus tubingensis, isolated from a landfill in Islamabad, Pakistan, can rapidly break down polyurethane, one of the world’s most durable plastics. This material is widely used in insulation, furniture, footwear, coatings, and synthetic leather, and it typically persists in the environment for hundreds of years. In laboratory tests, the fungus colonizes the surface of polyurethane films, secreting enzymes that disrupt its chemical bonds. Scanning electron microscopy revealed clear signs of degradation, including cracks, pits, and surface erosion. Within just two months in liquid culture, the plastic films were broken down into smaller fragments, with near-complete degradation observed. This represents the first reported case of A. tubingensis degrading polyurethane. The process is an example of mycoremediation, the use of fungi to clean up environmental pollutants. Other fungi have also shown the ability to use plastics as a primary food source, even in low-oxygen landfill conditions. Researchers are now exploring the potential of fungal enzymes for large-scale applications, such as bioreactors, to help address the global plastic waste crisis. If scaled effectively, these biological approaches could offer a practical, low-cost method to reduce the billions of tons of persistent plastic accumulating worldwide. [Khan, S., et al. (2017). Biodegradation of polyester polyurethane by Aspergillus tubingensis. Environmental Pollution, 225, 469–480. DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.03.012]

During a September 2025 performance, Massive Attack projected live video of audience members’ faces onto a giant screen, augmented with a mock facial recognition system, as part of a protest against digital surveillance.