This AI-Designed Enzyme Can Devour Plastic Trash In Hours: Video

Scientists have developed a new enzyme variant that can completely break down waste plastic in under 24 hours, raising hopes that biological processes could provide a route to addressing perhaps part of the world's mounting plastic crisis. Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin announced Thursday that they had used artificial intelligence to successfully engineer a type of enzyme, called a hydrolase, that can break down PET plastic into its component molecules. These materials can then be reformed into new products. "The possibilities are endless across industries to leverage this leading-edge recycling process," said Hal Alper, one of the lead researchers and a professor in the McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering at UT Austin. "Beyond the obvious waste management industry, this also provides corporations from every sector the opportunity to take a lead in recycling their products. Through these more sustainable enzyme approaches, we can begin to envision a true circular plastics economy."