Deep-Sea-Inspired Chemistry: Harnessing Extreme Environments for Sustainable Innovation

Abstract

This article introduces the concept of “deep-sea-inspired chemistry,” which derives chemical innovation from the extreme physicochemical and biological conditions found in the deep sea. Three representative examples are discussed: (1) baroplastics that undergo pressure-induced order–disorder transitions, (2) bottom-up nanoemulsification mimicking hydrothermal vent dynamics, and (3) cellulases evolved in deep-sea microbes. These systems demonstrate how pressure, thermal gradients, and enzymatic function in deep-sea environments can inspire sustainable materials and processes. This approach proposes a paradigm shift in ocean utilization—from a resource economy to a knowledge-driven circular economy—highlighting the deep sea as a new frontier for chemical technology.