{
  "id": 1762574,
  "title": "Novel plastic turns into a gas when heated—then reforms once cooled",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/novel-plastic-turns-into-a-gas-when-heated-then-reforms-once-cooled",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-18T17:40:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-08-plastic-gas-reforms-cooled.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Researchers have developed a novel plastic that transforms into a gas when heated and then reforms into its original form upon cooling. This unique material, similar to polyethylene, can be depolymerized at a relatively low temperature of 90 degrees Celsius, breaking down into individual building blocks called monomers. Unlike most depolymerization processes that produce liquid monomers, this new material forms a gas. As the vapor cools, it spontaneously converts back into the original waterproof polymer. Dr. Peter Roth, a senior lecturer in applied organic/polymer chemistry, explains that this new material offers a different behavior compared to conventional plastics, which are difficult to recycle or remove due to their stability. While not a replacement for traditional plastics or a solution to plastic waste, this discovery introduces a new concept that could lead to circular materials with simplified application, removal, and recycling processes. The Surrey team demonstrated three potential applications of this material: creating waterproof polymer coatings by condensing the polymer vapor onto a surface, removing the coatings by reheating them, and purifying contaminated polymers through sublimation, separating them from additives before reforming as a clean solid. This proof of concept could eventually lead to new methods for applying and removing waterproof coatings, especially in complex surface applications.",
  "summary": "In a study published in Macromolecules, researchers introduce a novel polymer that could simplify how materials are applied, removed and recycled by eliminating several complex processing steps used today.",
  "key_points": [
    "Novel plastic transforms into gas when heated at 90°C.",
    "Gas form differs from conventional plastics' stability.",
    "Cooling causes gas to revert to original waterproof polymer."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}