The growing plastic pollution crisis demands novel approaches, with innovative materials that mimic robotic behaviors emerging as a promising solution. This approach explores the development and application of smart materials that can autonomously engage in plastic waste removal, functioning like robots in various environmental conditions. We focus on materials activated by light, magnetic fields, chemical fuels, and ion exchange, which are designed to target and remove plastic waste efficiently. It examines the key properties of these materials, such as self-activation, adaptability, and precision, that enable them to function autonomously in waste management systems. The integration of these innovative materials offers significant advantages, including faster waste processing, reduced human exposure to hazardous waste, and enhanced sorting accuracy.
Shafqat Ali, Muhammad Haris Khan, Zareen Zuhra*, and Jinfeng Wang*. "Innovative Materials That Behave Like Robots to Combat Plastic Pollution.". Materials Horizons(2025).
