The discovery of the oligocyclobutane molecule by Princeton researchers, led by Professor Paul Chirik, has vast implications for "closed loop" recycling of plastics and cleaner water for the planet. This breakthrough technology has game-changing potential to abate the planet's burden of rubber and plastic.
Isabella Stahlman's Q&A with Princeton Professor Paul Chirik
How do you envision your research playing a positive role in reducing pollution in oceans and waterways?
Plastics are here to stay. Imagine trying to live your life for 24 hours or even a week without interacting with plastic. You can’t and shouldn’t! The positives of plastics far outweigh the negative - they preserve food, lightweight vehicles and save fuel, keep things sterile, etc. The key is to have plastics that we think about disposal when we make them. Key to this is making plastics that are more durable and valuable that you can use and recycle them over and over. In general we hope to transition away from single use plastic to versions that have the same feel and properties but are more durable and ideally chemically recyclable.
Do you have a sense of the timeline for being able to test closed-loop technology on discarded plastics in the nation’s waterways?
Waterways are only part of the problem. There are many companies and research groups working on this problem. Some solutions are more near term (taking existing plastic and converting it to oil or waxes) and longer term strategies to try and break it down. Reduction of plastic in the environment is on everyone’s minds but the pandemic for example, has increased plastic usage. For example, there are now more masks in the Mediterranean Sea than jelly fish. Hopefully mitigation efforts will overcome increased usage soon.
What advice would you give young people interested in studying chemistry and helping to preserve the environment?
First and foremost, the problems of the 21st century - climate, sustainability, plastics, vaccines, medicines - are all molecular problems. While I am obviously biased, I think we need the next generation of chemists to solve these problems. Chemistry has changed the world by eradicating hunger, giving us modern materials. We need to have great people keep studying chemistry to make the next generation of molecules to continue to improve quality of life and sustain the environment.