Materials that glow when stretched

In the latest publication of Nature Chemistry, German scientists have revealed a novel chemical system that displays chemiluminescence under tension. In other words, their materials glow when you pull on them. They achieved this novel material type by cleverly assembling polymers that incorporate certain monomer units into their main chain. "The researchers incorporate an additional element in the plastic molecules, a molecular ring called dioxetane. When the plastic is pulled hard enough, the...