Tomorrow of Polymers
Very first, let me ask you a question, Can you imagine a life without POLYMERS….?
I think basically all of you can tell, you can not. Yeah, it is the answer. Or do I need to tell you it was the answer? Let me explain, we can start DNA because that is where we stand. We know how important is DNA and RNA. Those two self-replicating molecules are considered indispensable for life on earth. All living things have DNA within their cells. DNA is not just a specify the structure and function of living things, but also serves as the primary unit of heredity in organisms of all types. Whatever it is, why I told It WAS because scientists have researched and reported how the possibility that life could evolve without DNA or RNA. So you know how polymers have become important. If we start from human life, both natural and synthetic polymers are remarkably involved in the facilitation and comfort of human life and also responsible for life itself, for meditation, nutrition, communication, transportation, irrigation, etc. And can go up to even synthetic biodegradable polymers with great processing flexibility which are widely used in tissue engineering.
When we talk about our daily life, as a result of polymers have transformed over the last century and gained global acceptance polymers are everywhere we look. When we start from the clothes we wear, we can go up to the utensils used by scientists and many more types of research around the world in labs. Not only that the current rate of activities and standard of living could not be maintained without polymers and plastics in all shapes and forms.
Starting from life, the high-tech devices we use every day are only possible thanks to specialty polymer concepts and materials. Due to the versatility of polymers, the functions of polymers will continue to evolve to further meet our technological needs such as; automation, new mobility concepts, biomedicine, digitalization, space exploration, etc. Scientists say highly specialized polymers with specific functionality will enable many key technologies in the future. Programmability, adaptability, formability, and self-healing functions are being researched by on-demand(rapid) biodegradation.
Not only that, but the sustainability of polymeric materials also has become a new era in this century. Scientists agree that macromolecular science and technology must provide sustainable solutions to global challenges. When we think about sustainability, it requires rethinking current methods of polymer production, the fate of materials, and also consumption of polymers. We have to add that biodegradable polymers have never been considered so much seriously as they are nowadays. Scientists say above all if they could start switching over to renewable polymers within a transition period of about ten years. But some of our decades old. The problem is, PE and PP are too much cheap. So this thing would have to be optimized and refined.
In a conclusion, a world without polymers is unthinkable to us. We can add a long list of applications where polymers are important in our life. Therefore we can look forward with the confidence to an exciting future with the change of polymer industry and related job market but continue to be productive and full of opportunities.
But we have to keep in our mind, it is up to us to continue and take care of our future and the world.
