In the relentless pursuit of sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics, scientists have uncovered a remarkable breakthrough that challenges long-standing assumptions about materials’ interaction with water. A collaborative study spearheaded by the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) and the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) reveals a novel approach to biofabricate chitin-derived materials that counterintuitively strengthen when submerged rather than degrade. This revolutionary development could herald a transformative shift in the design and manufacture of environmentally benign polymers with far-reaching ecological and industrial implications.
Conventional plastics owe their ubiquity largely to their water-resistant durability, a property that unfortunately contributes to persistent environmental pollution. Biopolymer substitutes, cherished for biodegradability and ecological compatibility, have historically suffered a critical flaw: exposure to moisture diminishes their mechanical integrity. This unavoidable trade-off has stymied attempts to supplant plastics with biomaterials on a large scale, relegating green innovations to niche applications constrained by performance limitations.
Chitosan, derived from chitin—an abundant natural polysaccharide found in crustacean shells and insect exoskeletons—has long been a promising candidate for sustainable materials. Yet, like most biomaterials, chitosan’s mechanical properties traditionally deteriorate upon hydration, necessitating chemical modifications or protective coatings that compromise sustainability goals. The groundbreaking research led by Javier G. Fernández’s team shatters this paradigm by ingeniously mimicking the biological architecture of arthropod cuticles, enabling chitosan to not only resist but actually improve in strength under wet conditions.
The core of this innovation lies in the strategic incorporation of nickel ions, a naturally occurring trace metal capable of dynamically interacting with chitosan’s molecular structure. Inspired by empirical observations on the sandworm Nereis virens—where removal of zinc ions from the fangs impaired their water tolerance—the researchers posited that metal ions modulate the hydration response of chitinous materials. Their work confirmed that controlled integration of nickel establishes transient, reversible coordination bonds with the biopolymer chains. These bonds form a continuously reconfiguring, dynamic network that harnesses water molecules as active participants in structural reinforcement.
When immersed, the nickel-integrated chitosan films exhibit a counterintuitive molecular softness that translates into heightened macroscopic strength. As water molecules facilitate mobility of nickel ions, the microstructure perpetually breaks and reforms bonds in response to mechanical stress, thereby dissipating energy and preventing failure. This bioinspired, water-mediated crosslinking mechanism represents a sophisticated shift from static material constructs to adaptive, self-healing biopolymers whose mechanical properties improve in aqueous environments—a condition historically detrimental to biomaterials.
Beyond its mechanical advantages, this approach embraces principles of circularity and ecological harmony. The manufacturing process achieves zero-waste efficiency by capturing and recycling excess nickel ions released during hydration, ensuring complete reclamation of the metal. This closed-loop system dramatically reduces resource consumption and environmental impact, aligning with the pressing need for sustainable industrial practices that eliminate hazardous waste and minimize carbon footprints.
The scalability of this technology is bolstered by the vast natural abundance of chitin, with an estimated annual global production far surpassing plastic output. This positions chitin-based materials as a viable raw material resource capable of meeting escalating demand. Moreover, chitosan’s derivation from diverse biomasses—including shrimp shell waste and fungal residues—enables localized production systems adaptable to regional feedstocks. This decentralization promises to reduce supply chain vulnerabilities while supporting circular bioeconomies rooted in renewable resources and waste valorization.
Anticipated applications span agriculture, packaging, and fishing industries, where water resistance, biodegradability, and mechanical robustness are critically needed. The waterproof, strong films and containers demonstrated in this study could effectively replace single-use plastics, mitigating plastic pollution in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Additionally, the FDA approvals of nickel and chitosan in medical contexts open promising avenues in biomedical engineering, including biocompatible waterproof coatings and durable biomaterial devices.
The findings also invite a broader exploration of metal ion coordination chemistries as a toolkit for engineering biomaterial properties. While nickel was the focal point of this research, the team underscores the potential for alternative metal ions or molecular combinations to replicate or further enhance this water-strengthening phenomenon. This uncharted territory in bioinspired materials science beckons multidisciplinary collaboration and innovation to expand the repertoire of sustainable polymer technologies.
This seminal study embodies a radical rethinking of material-environment interactions, advocating for designs that synergistically engage with ecological systems rather than exclude them. By leveraging dynamic molecular softness, regional utilization of diverse feedstocks, and zero-waste production loops, the approach sets a precedent for sustainable manufacturing that mirrors nature’s resilience and adaptability. It challenges entrenched material paradigms, promising a future where biomaterials do not merely survive but thrive in the environments they inhabit.
Javier G. Fernández and Akshayakumar Kompa’s work thus represents a pivotal milestone in the quest to transcend the environmental costs of synthetic polymer reliance. Their discovery encapsulates a vision where biointegrated materials empower a circular, low-impact economy, blending scientific ingenuity with ecological stewardship. The progress heralded by this research beckons continued exploration and rapid translation to industrial contexts, offering hope that sustainable plastics alternatives can be both high-performing and harmonious with natural cycles.
As the plastic pollution crisis escalates globally, this innovative strategy illuminates a pathway toward mitigating human ecological footprints without compromising material functionality. The confluence of biomimicry, metallomics, and polymer engineering may well redefine the future of materials science, furnishing safer, greener, and smarter solutions to some of today’s most intractable environmental challenges. The age of “stronger when wet” biomaterials, built on nature’s own designs, has dawned.
Subject of Research: Not applicable
Article Title: Stronger when wet: Aquatically robust chitinous objects via zero-waste coordination with metal ions
News Publication Date: 18-Feb-2026
Web References: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-69037-4
References:
- Fernández, J.G., Kompa, A., et al. (2026). Stronger when wet: Aquatically robust chitinous objects via zero-waste coordination with metal ions. Nature Communications. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-69037-4
Image Credits: Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC)
Keywords
Chitin, Polymer engineering, Biomaterials, Nickel
