Smart materials that respond to external stimuli have opened new opportunities for science and technology. So far, most responsive polymers rely on heat, light, or chemical inputs to change their properties. While these triggers are convenient, they often come with drawbacks, such as limited applicability or poor scalability. In contrast, living systems frequently use mechanical forces to regulate their functions—our sense of touch being a familiar example. However, translating this principle into artificial materials has proven to be a major challenge.
ReHuse—Reversible Heterolytic Mechanophores for Dynamic Bulk Materials seeks to address this gap by using mechanical force itself as a clean and efficient trigger. The project focuses on designing a new class of molecules, called reversible heterolytic mechanophores, that act as switches. Under stress, these molecules split into two oppositely charged fragments; once the stress is released, the fragments recombine. Unlike most mechanophore systems—which typically break irreversibly—these switches can be repeatedly turned “on” and “off,” opening the door to dynamic and sustainable polymer materials.
ReHuses’s objectives are twofold:
1. Fundamental understanding. We aim to uncover the design principles needed to create reversible heterolytic mechanophores.
2. Leverage fundamental knowledge for applications with bulk materials. We aim to integrate the reversible heterolytic mechanophores into polymers to access materials with dynamic functions. For instance, reversible bond splitting could facilitate the mechanical recycling of plastics, while reversible force-induced charge generation could allow polymers to shift between water-attracting and water-repelling states, creating the foundation for new technologies such as mechanically driven atmospheric water harvesting.
Overall, ReHuse is expected to deliver both fundamental and applied benefits:
• Advance knowledge in polymer mechanochemistry by demonstrating new, reversible mechanochemical activation modes.
• Contribute to sustainability goals by supporting better recycling strategies for plastics.
• Open pathways to address global challenges such as water scarcity through innovative materials for clean water production.
