Researcher Akshayakumar Kompa mixes nickel powder with chitin derived from shrimp shells as he demonstrates the production process of a new plastic-like biomaterial at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) in Barcelona on April 24, 2026. This innovative material, developed from shrimp shells and reinforced with nickel, mimics the functional properties of plastic while offering high resistance to water. Researchers at the center suggest this breakthrough marks the beginning of a new era of biological materials capable of replacing single-use plastics with natural, sustainable alternatives. (Photo by Josep LAGO / AFP via Getty Images)