ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Biodegradability prediction

Okay kiddo, you know how some things in nature disappear over time, like leaves from a plant or the poop of an animal? Well, we call this process "degradation," which means breaking down into smaller pieces until they disappear into the environment.

Now, scientists can study different materials to see how long it takes them to degrade. They also look at factors like temperature, humidity, and the presence of bacteria and other tiny creatures that help break things down.

When scientists study how quickly things degrade, they can predict whether something is "biodegradable," which means it can break down naturally without causing harm to the environment. Biodegradable materials are important because they don't pile up in landfills or oceans, causing pollution and harming animals.

So, to summarize, biodegradability prediction is when scientists try to figure out how long it will take for something to break down naturally and whether it is safe for the environment.