Chapters authored
Biosensors: Design, Development and Applications
The ability to detect even the slightest physiological change in the human body with high sensitivity and accurately monitor processes that impact human nature and their surroundings has led to an immense improvement in the quality of life. Biosensors continue to play a critical role across a myriad of fields including biomedical diagnosis, monitoring of treatment and disease progression, drug discovery, food control and environmental monitoring. These novel analytical tools are small devices that use a biological recognition system to investigate or detect molecules. This chapter covers the design and development of biosensors, beginning with a brief historical overview. The working principle and important characteristics or attributes of biosensors will also be addressed. Furthermore, the basic types of biosensors and the general applications of these biosensors in various fields will be discussed.
Part of the book: Nanopores
Type, Sources, Methods and Treatment of Organic Pollutants in Wastewater
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which are synthetic organic chemical compounds, either intentionally or unintentionally produced, have widely aroused public concern in recent years. These chemicals are toxic and major environmental concern due to their persistence, long range transportability, bioaccumulation and potentially adverse effects on living organisms. Uncontrolled inputs combined with poor environmental management often result in elevated levels of persistent organic pollutants in affected estuaries. Since the Stockholm Convention on POPs was adopted, different techniques have been extensively developed. A major focus revealed the need for low cost methods that can be implemented easily in developing countries such as electrochemical techniques. Persistent organic pollutants are known to be resistant to conventional treatment methods such as flocculation, coagulation, filtration and oxidant chemical treatment. However, various advanced wastewater treatment technologies such as, activated carbon adsorption, biodegradation using membrane bioreactor and advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have been applied in the treatment of POPs.
Part of the book: Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)