New glass-plastic hybrid material defies conventional wisdom
Scientists at Wageningen University & Research unveiled compleximer, a glass-plastic hybrid that combines plastic-like toughness with glass’ moldability. It stays bound via physical charge interactions rather than chemical cross-links, allowing high-temperature shaping and self-healing when heated with a hairdryer. The fossil-based version exists now, but biobased variants are in development to enable easier repair and potential biodegradability, offering a greener alternative to traditional plastics.