Mimicking Nature’s Twist: Time-Evolving Helicity in a Polymer

Synthetic materials rarely mimic the dynamic helicity observed in biological systems like DNA and proteins, often forming fixed structures early in assembly. Inspired by this adaptability, researchers at Chiba University, Keele University, Shizuoka University, Kanazawa University, and Ritsumeikan University developed a chlorophyll-based supramolecular polymer that gradually evolves from nonhelical fibers into helical structures through intermediate stages. This stepwise, cooperative transformation offers a new strategy for designing adaptive materials with tunable optical and electronic properties.