Smart plastic: Liquid Crystal Elastomers

The imperative to develop sustainable solutions at every stage of the decarbonization process and throughout the entire value chain cannot be overstated. Prof. Terentjev and Dr. Saed have dedicated much of their careers to researching Liquid Crystal Elastomers. Cambridge Smart Plastics (CSP) has now successfully partnered with the right industrial collaborators and identified promising applications for these materials.

Rather than pushing their own tech, CSP’s research and development are driven by addressing specific industrial challenges. For instance, current plastic packaging often contains metals or chlorinated plastics, rendering it non-recyclable. CSP’s flagship technology, a sustainably sourced biodegradable polymer, aims to enhance plastic packaging for food and other products. This innovative material not only blocks the transmission of oxygen and moisture but also improves the recyclability and sustainability of packaging solutions.