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Scientists Discover Way to Send Information into Black Holes Without Using Energy

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This Material Gets Stronger When Wet & It Could End Plastic Forever

Plastics have shaped the modern world. From packaging and farming to healthcare and construction, their durability and resistance to water have made them indispensable. Yet, these same qualities have created one of the biggest environmental crises of our time. Plastics do not easily break down, they accumulate in ecosystems, enter food chains, and raise serious concerns about long-term effects on human and environmental health.

Now, a groundbreaking discovery offers a hopeful alternative. Scientists have developed a biomaterial that not only resists water but actually becomes stronger when wet. This remarkable innovation could mark the beginning of a new era beyond the plastic age.

A breakthrough from the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia

The study was led by the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), in collaboration with the Singapore University of Technology and Design. Published in the prestigious journal Nature Communications, the research introduces the first known biomaterial that gains strength in contact with water rather than weakening.

At the heart of this discovery is chitosan, a natural polymer derived from chitin. Chitin is found in abundance in nature, especially in insect shells, fungal cell walls, and crustacean shells. Industrially, chitosan is commonly produced from discarded shrimp shells—an abundant waste product from the seafood industry.

By incorporating nickel ions into chitosan, the researchers created a material that behaves in a completely new way. Instead of softening in water like most biological materials, this new chitosan-nickel composite becomes tougher and more resistant.

Why biomaterials usually fail in water

For years, scientists have explored biomaterials as substitutes for plastics. These materials are renewable, biodegradable, and environmentally friendly. However, they share a major weakness: water.

Most biological materials absorb water, which disrupts their internal structure. As a result, they lose strength, swell, or break down. To overcome this, engineers often rely on chemical treatments, synthetic coatings, or additives. While effective, these methods reduce biodegradability and sustainability, pushing biomaterials closer to the very plastics they aim to replace.

This new study turns that problem into a solution.

Inspired by nature’s own design

The research was inspired by a surprising observation in nature. Scientists noticed that when zinc is removed from the fangs of the marine sandworm Nereis virens, the fangs soften dramatically in water. This suggested that metals play a crucial role in controlling how biological materials interact with moisture.

Building on this idea, the team explored whether metal ions could be used not just to strengthen materials, but also to regulate hydration. They chose nickel because it naturally interacts with chitin-based materials and dissolves easily in water.

When nickel ions were incorporated into chitosan films, something extraordinary happened.

A material that grows stronger in water

Tests showed that when the new material was immersed in water, its strength increased by up to 50%. This behavior is almost unheard of in synthetic plastics and entirely new for biomaterials.

The secret lies in how water functions inside the material. Instead of acting as a damaging agent, water becomes an active structural component. Nickel ions and water molecules form a dynamic network of weak, reversible bonds. These bonds constantly break and reform at the microscopic level.

This flexibility allows the material to absorb stress, redistribute forces, and reorganize itself—much like living tissues do.

As lead researcher Javier G. Fernández explains, this is “a material where being soft at the molecular scale actually makes it stronger.”

Still biologically pure and biodegradable

One of the most important aspects of this innovation is that the biological nature of chitosan remains unchanged. The process does not chemically modify the polymer or turn it into a synthetic hybrid.

According to Fernández, “The material is still biologically pure in the eyes of nature; it remains essentially the same molecule found in insect shells or mushrooms.”

This purity allows the material to reintegrate seamlessly into natural ecological cycles at the end of its life—something plastics cannot do.

Zero-waste manufacturing by design

Sustainability is not just about the final product, but also about how it is made. Here, the researchers went a step further by designing a zero-waste production process.

During the initial water immersion, excess nickel ions that do not contribute to the structure are released. Instead of discarding this solution, the team created a closed-loop system where it becomes the input for the next batch of material.

This approach achieves 100% nickel reuse, significantly reducing costs and environmental impact.

Scalable enough for the world

The potential for large-scale production is enormous. Chitin is the second most abundant organic polymer on Earth, after cellulose. Nature produces an estimated 100 billion tons of chitin every year—enough to match centuries of plastic production.

First author Akshayakumar Kompa emphasizes another key advantage: local production.

While shrimp shells are the main industrial source today, chitosan can also be produced from fungal by-products or converted organic waste. This means manufacturing can adapt to local ecosystems and resources, reducing dependence on global supply chains.

Real-world applications on the horizon

The material is especially promising for water-related uses, where biodegradable yet waterproof materials are urgently needed. Early applications include:

  • Agricultural films and coatings

  • Fishing gear and marine equipment

  • Sustainable packaging

  • Water-resistant containers and sheets

The study even demonstrated watertight cups and large sheets made from the material, showing clear potential to replace certain single-use plastics.

Both nickel and chitosan are already approved by the FDA for specific medical uses, opening the door to future biomedical applications such as waterproof coatings for implants or medical devices.

A shift beyond the plastic age

This discovery represents more than a new material—it represents a new way of thinking.

For over a century, materials have been designed to isolate themselves from the environment. The IBEC study proves that materials can perform better by interacting with their surroundings instead of resisting them.

As Fernández notes, once this principle is understood, other metal-biopolymer combinations could unlock even more possibilities.

Designing with nature, not against it

The message from this research is clear. A sustainable future will not come from forcing biological materials to behave like plastics. It will come from embracing nature’s logic: dynamic structures, local production, ecological integration, and zero waste.

The plastic age may not end overnight—but discoveries like this show that a better, greener alternative is no longer a dream. It is already taking shape, and it gets stronger with every drop of water.

Reference: Kompa, A., G. Fernandez, J. Stronger when wet: Aquatically robust chitinous objects via zero-waste coordination with metal ions. Nat Commun 17, 1397 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-69037-4

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