The Inertia Contributing Photographer
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What if all this cleaned up in three hours…


The Inertia

The sight above is an all too familiar one and that’s pretty sad. Thank the lucky stars that scientists at North Dakota University have begun developing a plastic that will begin to degrade in a short three hours. This miracle compound is made up of molecules derived from fructose, a simple sugar, and light-absorbing molecules called phototriggers. By applying heat to this concoction, these geniuses were able to create long, repeating chains of small molecules that formed a solid plastic when cooled down.

The best part about this ocean-saving creation is that it is completely renewable, meaning it can be broken down and used to create many other things that won’t harm the environment. This is a huge leap forward for everyone, but especially surfers and marine life that deal with the negative effects of improperly disposed of waste.

 
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