Deep-Sea-Inspired Chemistry: A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Bottom of the Ocean for Chemists

The ocean constitutes approximately 70% of Earth'ssurface.Its average depth is 3688 m, of which depths beyond 200 m are classifiedas the deep sea. The deep sea is distinct from the surface of theocean in terms of pressure, temperature, and sunlight. The uniquephysicochemical processes under the extreme environment of the deepsea and the specialized biochemical mechanisms developed by organismsto survive in the deep sea can serve as a vast source of inspirationfor scientific and technological advancements. In this Perspective,we discuss three examples of deep-sea-inspired chemistry: (1) softmaterials that respond to high pressures such as those observed inthe deep sea; (2) molecular self-assembly inspired by the chemistryof hot and compressed water in deep-sea hydrothermal vents; and (3)nanobiotechnology and biomimetics inspired by survival strategiesof deep-sea organisms. Finally, we provide an outlook on deep-sea-inspiredchemistry. This Perspective aims to promote the sustainable utilizationof the ocean based on knowledge, as opposed to the conventional utilizationof the ocean solely based on resources. We hope that this Perspectivewill encourage chemists to harness their inspiration gleaned fromthe deep sea.