Current Happenings ENVS News

Dr Prasun Goswami, Assistant Professor from the Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, published a paper titled “Microplastics: Hidden drivers of antimicrobial resistance in aquatic systems”, in the Q1 journal, NanoImpact. His research reveals a concerning connection between microplastics and antimicrobial resistance in oceans. The study uncovers how microplastics in our oceans can harbour antibiotic-resistant pathogens, posing significant threats to marine ecosystems and human health. The paper not only sheds light on the topic but also proposes essential steps to better understand and manage the emerging threat.

Abstract

Tiny plastic particles, called microplastics, are commonly found in oceans, rivers, and lakes. These particles quickly gather layers of bacteria and other microbes, forming what scientists call the “plastisphere.” This plastisphere can carry harmful bacteria, including those that are resistant to antibiotics. Together, these plastic-based communities and the genes they carry make up what’s now being called the “Plastiome.” This review looks at how microplastics interact with bacteria and antibiotic resistance in water environments. It highlights how these plastics can collect and spread dangerous germs and genes that make infections harder to treat. The result is a growing health risk not just for marine life, but also for people. The review also points out areas where more research is needed and suggests ways to better understand and manage the spread of antibiotic resistance through plastic pollution in water.

Practical Implementation/ Social Implications of the Research

Understanding the Plastiome—the microbial life thriving on microplastics—is not just a scientific curiosity; it has real-world consequences. As these plastic particles travel through our oceans, they act as floating hubs for antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can potentially enter the food chain via seafood or contaminate drinking water sources. The research highlights the urgent need for improved waste management, plastic use reduction, and policy frameworks to monitor microplastic pollution and its microbial cargo. By identifying how microplastics help spread antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the study can help inform public health strategies, guide marine conservation policies, and support international efforts to tackle both plastic pollution and the growing AMR crisis. In essence, tackling the Plastiome is not just about saving the oceans; it’s about protecting ecosystems, public health, and the future.

Collaborations

This work was conducted in collaboration with the National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NIAH-NARO), Tsukuba, Japan.

Future Research Plans

As part of the ongoing research, Dr Prasun explores how different plastic polymers interact with microbial communities and antibiotic resistance (AMR) genes in aquatic environments. Not all plastics behave the same—some may provide a more favourable surface for harmful microbes or facilitate the spread of resistance genes more efficiently. By understanding these polymer-specific interactions, he aims to identify which types of plastics pose the greatest environmental and public health risks. This research has important implications for designing safer materials, guiding environmental regulations, and developing strategies to curb the spread of AMR through plastic pollution in marine and freshwater ecosystems.</p

Link to the Article

Continue reading →

The paper titled “Nanosecond Laser-Induced Conversion of Leaf-Like Co-MOF to Nanoscale Co@N-gCarbon for Enhanced Multifunctional Electrocatalytic Performance” by Dr Narayanamoorthy Bhuvanendran, Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, was published in the ChemSusChem journal with a Q1 rating with an impact factor of 7.5. The study presents a breakthrough in clean energy research with an innovative nanosecond laser-based technique that transforms metal–organic frameworks into high-performance electrocatalysts faster, more energy-efficiently, and eco-friendly.

Abstract :

Conversion of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) into metal-nitrogen-doped carbon (M–N–C) catalysts requires a high-temperature process and longer processing time under a protective atmosphere. This study utilises a low-energy nanosecond laser processing (LP) technique to convert aqueous synthesised 2D leaf-like Co-MOF (L-Co-MOF) into nanoscale cobalt metal encapsulated within a nitrogen-doped graphitic carbon matrix (Co@N-gC, Co-LP) in a shorter period under air atmosphere.

The laser-induced process results in the formation of Co@N-gC with smaller Co particle size, uniform distribution, and better interaction with the carbon support compared to the conventional pyrolysis process (CP). LP catalysts result in enhanced multifunctional electrocatalytic activity over CP (Co-CP) catalysts owing to the tunable metal–support interaction, higher charge transfer, and presence of multiactive sites.

Under optimised conditions (laser fluence: 5.76 mJ cm−2 and scan speed: 10 mm s−1), the Co-LP-5 catalyst exhibits better ORR performance, with onset and half-wave potentials of 0.92 and 0.76 V, respectively. Additionally, Co-LP-5 delivers excellent water-splitting performance, with OER and HER overpotentials of 380 and 280 mV, respectively, achieving an overall energy efficiency of 77.85%. Furthermore, Co-LP-5 demonstrates exceptional durability over 48 h of real-time testing, outperforming the Co-CP, and the proposed low-energy LP is viable for fabricating multifunctional catalysts.

The research focuses on developing new materials for more efficient clean energy production, specifically advanced catalysts that accelerate chemical reactions. Traditionally, creating an effective M–N–C (metal–nitrogen–carbon) catalyst requires heating metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to high temperatures in oxygen-free environments, which is time-consuming and energy-intensive.

This study introduces a simpler, faster, and energy-saving approach using nanosecond laser pulses to transform cobalt-containing MOFs into a new material called Co@N-gC. This laser method operates in normal air, significantly reducing time and energy consumption. The resulting catalyst features smaller, evenly distributed cobalt particles that enhance interaction with the carbon support, leading to improved activity and efficiency in key energy reactions. Our laser-made catalyst, Co-LP-5, exhibited excellent performance over 48 hours, outperforming traditional methods. This breakthrough demonstrates that low-energy laser techniques can create powerful, multifunctional catalysts for clean energy more quickly, cheaply, and sustainably.

Practical implementation of the research :

We are working on developing new materials that help produce clean energy in a faster, cheaper, and more eco-friendly way. Usually, scientists use a high-heat process to convert materials called metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) into something called catalysts, which are substances that help speed up important chemical reactions, such as splitting water to produce hydrogen fuel or helping batteries and fuel cells work better.

However, the traditional method requires a lot of energy, time, and special conditions to work. In the study, we found a much simpler and faster way to make these useful catalysts. Instead of heating the material for a long time, we used a laser to quickly transform the MOF into a new material. We did this in normal air using short pulses of light from a laser, and within seconds, the material changed into a highly active form containing tiny cobalt particles surrounded by nitrogen-rich carbon. This new material works more efficiently and lasts longer than the one made by traditional heating.

Our method is not only quicker and more energy-efficient, but also easier to scale up for larger use. This laser technique can be used to create advanced materials for fuel cells, batteries, and systems that produce hydrogen from water. These technologies are crucial for clean energy and can help reduce pollution and dependence on fossil fuels.

The real-world impact of this research is significant. It can make clean energy technologies more affordable and accessible, especially in developing regions with limited energy access. It also supports the shift toward a greener economy by promoting sustainable methods and creating new opportunities in clean energy industries. In the long term, this work contributes to fighting climate change and protecting the environment by helping the world move toward cleaner, safer energy solutions.

Future Research Plans:

• Explore using different metal-based MOFs to develop a broader range of catalysts for clean energy applications.
• Optimise laser processing conditions such as energy, speed, and environment to improve the quality and performance of the final materials.
• Study the detailed mechanism of how the laser converts MOFs into active catalysts to better understand and control the process.
• Test the laser-made catalysts in actual energy devices like fuel cells and water-splitting systems to evaluate their real-world performance.
• Investigate methods to scale up the laser processing technique for larger production while keeping it cost-effective and energy efficient.
• Expand the application of these materials to other areas such as carbon dioxide reduction, hydrogen storage, or environmental sensing.

 

Collaborations:

Prof. Sae Youn Lee, Dongguk University, Republic of Korea.
Dr. Srinivasan Arthanari, Chungnam National University, Republic of Korea.

 

Continue reading →