Answer: Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
Notes: The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) developed a novel hydrogel to remove microplastics from water. This hydrogel, with a unique polymer network, binds and degrades microplastics using UV light. It comprises three polymer layers: chitosan, polyvinyl alcohol, and polyaniline, combined with copper substitute polyoxometalate nanoclusters acting as catalysts. Microplastics, typically less than 5mm, are categorized as primary (from commercial products) and secondary (resulting from larger plastic breakdown due to environmental factors).
