Sounds like the old crime committed with a bullet made from ice water trick.
“phthalaldehyde”
Now, there’s a word that should not be included in the English language. Seems like they could have come up with something pronounceable.
“A polymer that self-destructs?... It could also be used someday in building materials...”
Sound like the basis for a Far Side cartoon.
Maybe a guy just about to push the “down” button.
“Harvey, wait that’s not the elevator!!!”
Looks like you posted in the right category. I was going to get on your case if you posted as “News”, since this stuff has been around for at least 60 years. I know, I’ve seen it on Mission Impossible.
Recorded Voice:afternoon/eve, Mr. Briggs/Mr. Phelps. Your mission Dan/Jim, should you choose/decide to accept it, ... As always, should you or any of your IM Force be caught or killed, the Secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions. This tape/disc will self-destruct in five/ten seconds.
Well there you go, the dems can make straws with phthalaldehyde
ice pic
Flash paper and a hot wire dates back to WWII, so this idea is not new.
Perhaps this technology could be adapted for biomedical
purposes. Use it to build the scaffolding for a kidney, lung, etc, on which cells grow.
My old Jeep, that robust military vehicle, self destructed.
I like to think it was the first environmentally self-aware car to recycle itself back into the ground.
On a quiet night, you could hear it rust.
A fixed-wing glider that dissolves when the sun hits it?
Can it ONLY be used at night?
Lots of R & D & $$$$$$ for something that literally can only be used 1/2 of the time.
Wonder if the Acme company will sell biodegradable plastics to the public?.
Doesn’t matter have to exist in some form even when transformed into some thing else? So plastic that self destructs is merely moving to another possibly more hazardous substance.
The old “Mysterious Dr. Satan” Serial begins with the Governor opening a letter which was hand-delivered by a thug from Dr. Satan: “You have interfered with my affairs too often.” The letter mysteriously bursts into flame, leaving one to wonder why they the thug didn’t just take it with him after shooting the governor.