pH-Responsive polymers

The contamination of marine and freshwater ecosystems with plastic, and especially with microplastic (MP), is a global ecological problem of increasing scientific concern. This has stimulated a great deal of research on the occurrence of MP, interaction of MP with chemical pollutants, the uptake of MP by aquatic organisms, and the resulting (negative) impact of MP. Herein, we review the major issues of MP in aquatic environments, with the principal aims 1) to characterize the methods applied for MP analysis (including sampling, processing, identification and quantification), indicate the most reliable techniques, and discuss the required further improvements; 2) to estimate the abundance of MP in marine/freshwater ecosystems and clarify the problems that hamper the comparability of such results; and 3) to summarize the existing literature on the uptake of MP by living organisms. Finally, we identify knowledge gaps, suggest possible strategies to assess environmental risks arising from MP, and discuss prospects to minimize MP abundance in aquatic ecosystems.

Microplastic in Aquatic Ecosystems

Water is an essential part of life and its availability is important for all living creatures. On the other side, the world is suffering from a major problem of drinking water. There are several gases, microorganisms and other toxins (chemicals and heavy metals) added into water during rain, flowing water, etc. which is responsible for water pollution. This review article describes various applications of nanomaterial in removing different types of impurities from polluted water. There are various kinds of nanomaterials, which carried huge potential to treat polluted water (containing metal toxin substance, different organic and inorganic impurities) very effectively due to their unique properties like greater surface area, able to work at low concentration, etc. The nanostructured catalytic membranes, nanosorbents and nanophotocatalyst based approaches to remove pollutants from wastewater are eco-friendly and efficient, but they require more energy, more investment in order to purify the wastewater. There are many challenges and issues of wastewater treatment. Some precautions are also required to keep away from ecological and health issues. New modern equipment for wastewater treatment should be flexible, low cost and efficient for the commercialization purpose.

Role of Nanomaterials in the Treatment of Wastewater: A Review

http://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/acs.biomac.6b01604

Hydrogels for Therapeutic Delivery: Current Developments and Future Directions

Utilization of polymers as biomaterials has greatly impacted the advancement of modern medicine. Specifically, polymeric biomaterials that are biodegradable provide the significant advantage of being able to be broken down and removed after they have served their function. Applications are wide ranging with degradable polymers being used clinically as surgical sutures and implants. To fit functional demand, materials with desired physical, chemical, biological, biomechanical, and degradation properties must be selected. Fortunately, a wide range of natural and synthetic degradable polymers has been investigated for biomedical applications with novel materials constantly being developed to meet new challenges. This review summarizes the most recent advances in the field over the past 4 years, specifically highlighting new and interesting discoveries in tissue engineering and drug delivery applications.

Biomedical applications of biodegradable polymers

Polysaccharide-Based Conjugates for Biomedical Applications

Castor Oil-Based Biodegradable Polyesters

Injectable formulations of poly(lactic acid) and its copolymers in clinical use

Providing clean and affordable drinking water is one of the modern-times challenges. The world’s growing population causes water scarcity, and pollutants contaminate whatever water sources are left. Nanotechnology has provided innovative solutions for water purification. This chapter reviews nanotechnology-enabled water-treatment processes, showing how they transform our water supply and wastewater treatment. The following topics are discussed: different nanomaterials, properties, mechanisms, advantages compared to existing methods, limitations, research needs for commercialization, and toxicities of nanomaterials.

Konda Reddy Kunduru

Papers

Polysaccharide-Based Conjugates for Biomedical Applications

Castor Oil-Based Biodegradable Polyesters

Injectable formulations of poly(lactic acid) and its copolymers in clinical use

Nanotechnology for water purification: applications of nanotechnology methods in wastewater treatment

Poly(lactic acid) based hydrogels.