About

Mrinal Bhattacharya is a professor in the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. He holds a Ph.D. in Bioenvironmental Engineering from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, earned in 1986, along with a Master of Science in Agricultural Engineering from the same university, and a Bachelor of Technology (Hons) in Agricultural Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India. His areas of interest include biodegradable polymers, tissue engineering, and nanobiosensors. His research focuses on blending biodegradable polymers and biomaterials for tissue engineering applications, as well as developing nanobiosensors. He teaches courses related to transport in biological processes and engineering principles of molecular and cellular processes. Mrinal Bhattacharya has contributed to the field through various research projects and publications, advancing knowledge in biomaterials, tissue engineering, and biosensor technology.

Research topics

• Chemistry
• Materials science
• Biochemistry
• Computer Science
• Nanotechnology
• Systems engineering
• Organic chemistry
• Engineering
• Risk analysis (engineering)
• Biology
• Botany
• Data science
• Medicine

Selected publications

• The Effect of Short-Chain Branch Placement and Length on Oxidative Degradation in Bimodal High-Density Polyethylene

  Macromolecules · 2025-10-23

  article

  This study investigates the role of placement and length of the short-chain branch (SCB) on degradation, microstructural evolution, and ductility of bimodal high-density polyethylene (HDPE) during chemo-oxidative aging. Two resins, HDPE-B (with 1-butene comonomer) and HDPE-H (1-hexene comonomer), were analyzed using gel permeation chromatography (GPC-IR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), temperature rising elution fractionation (TREF), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), extreme-small-angle X-ray scattering (ESAXS), and tensile testing. Although both samples exhibit similar initial bulk properties, differences in the SCB architecture led to distinct degradation processes. In HDPE-B, chain scissions in high molecular weight chains were followed by lamellar thickening, preserving ductility but limiting strain hardening. In contrast, HDPE-H exhibited increased crystallization and enhanced strain hardening due to chemicrystallization and scission near branches, resulting in reduced ductility. Microstructural models are proposed to explain how SCB-induced differences in the initial amorphous phase composition govern mechanical long-term behavior.

  PublisherDOI

• Microbial polysaccharides and their classification: a brief study on fundamental biochemical properties

  Journal of medical pharmaceutical and allied sciences · 2025-04-29 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Microbial polysaccharides are typical poly-carbohydrates those are abundant in many types of microorganisms. Because of their poly-carbohydrate nature microbial polysaccharides consist of long chain polymeric carbohydrates composed of monosaccharide units joined by glycosidic linkages. These microbial polysaccharides have high molecular weight and react with water by using amylase enzymes as catalyst. However, microbial polysaccharides are water soluble biopolymers but their rheological characteristics make them act like binders, coagulants, emulsifiers, biofilms, hydrogels, lubricants, stabilizers and thickening or suspension molecules. Microbial polysaccharides are derived from different microorganisms like bacteria, yeast, fungi and algae. Some of the examples of microbial polysaccharides are Gellan gum, Xanthan gum, Scleroglucan, Pullulan, Hyaluronic acid, Fucogel, Cholanic acid, Alginic acid, Bacterial cellulose, Dextran, Curdlan, Levan polysaccharide etc. Microbial polysaccharides are non-toxic modules with diverse physical properties such as, viscosity, mechanical strength, elasticity and biocompatibility. Bacterial polysaccharides are obtained from several species of bacteria including Alcaligenes sp, Agrobacterium sp, Rhizobium sp, Bacillus sp, Cellulomonas sp, Bifidobacterium sp, Streptococcus sp, Klebsiella sp, Enterococcus sp, Staphylococcus sp, etc. Microbial polysaccharides are classified into three main categories: capsular polysaccharides (CPSs), lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) and exopolysaccharides (EPSs). According to morphological localization microbial polysaccharides can be divided as intracellular and extracellular polysaccharides. On the basis of structural formation, polysaccharides which contains only one kind of monosaccharide unit are called homo-polysaccharides. Similarly, polysaccharides consisting two or more types of mono-saccharides are called hetero-polysaccharides. Such as, cellulose, dextran and pullulan are homo-polysaccharides and xanthan and hyaluronic acid are known as hetero-polysaccharides.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Exploring the piezoelectric phenomenon: From polymers to human tissues and advanced applications in tissue engineering

  Bioactive Materials · 2025-11-20 · 2 citations

  reviewOpen access

  Piezoelectricity refers to the phenomenon in which certain materials convert mechanical energy into electrical energy and vice versa. It occurs in natural and synthetic materials, underscoring its broad importance within biological environments. This review will discuss the basic principles of piezoelectricity, with a focus on its presence in synthetic materials, including polymers like polyvinylidene fluoride and other polyesters, along with composites of these polymers. The review will also highlight the natural piezoelectric responses observed in human tissues, including bone, skin, dental tissues, and connective tissues and relate these effects to their non-centrosymmetric molecular structure. Traditional tissue engineering materials focus primarily on biochemical, mechanical signals without sustaining the complexity of a natural microenvironment. Piezoelectric materials may offer a new approach to tissue engineering, providing electrical signals capable of directing cellular behavior. These mechanical generated signals are able to create a dynamic and self-powered method for enhancing cellular communication, survival, and differentiation, particularly applicable to regenerative strategies in bone and neural tissue. The review will also consider the most recent discoveries around the use of piezoelectric materials in the scaffolding systems supporting the growth of bone and nerve tissues. and their use in repairing skin and skeletal muscle, showing potential utility in even broader regenerative applications, while also importantly highlighting the adaptable nature of piezoelectric materials.

  PublisherDOI

• Natural melanin nanoparticles (MNPs) extracted from Sepia officinalis: A cost-effective, chemo-photothermal, synergistic nanoplatform for osteosarcoma treatment

  Colloids and Surfaces B Biointerfaces · 2024-05-03 · 11 citations

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Silane Grafted Biosourced Melanin: A Sustainable Approach for Nanobiosensing Applications

  ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering · 2024 · 8 citations

  • Chemistry
  • Organic chemistry
  • Biochemistry

  Nanotechnology has revolutionized areas of biotechnology owing to its multidiversified applications, improved sensitivity, surface size, and cost. In the past years, some issues have arisen regarding the impact of nanomaterials on the environment and human health. In this regard, there is a growing interest in identifying natural and sustainable nanostructured biomaterials as an alternative to toxic petrochemical derived materials. The most commonly used materials in nanobiotechnology applications possess inherent limitations regarding biocompatibility, which leads to foreign-body response at the implantation site, causing a rejection of the implant. In parallel, the recovery of byproducts from other industries and their transformation into valuable resources have been key factors in the circular economy. Given that, there is urgency to move toward sustainable research and green nanotechnologies with an undeniable biocompatibility. Herein, we propose a design based on natural melanin nanoparticles (MNPs) obtained from the ink sacs of Sepia officinalis, a waste product from the food industry, grafted with silane (MNPs GPTMS) for biomedical applications. The design, characterization of both physical and chemical properties, and biological properties of the MNPs GPTMS are reported. The silane, (3-glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane, allows facile functionalization of different bioreceptors onto the surface of MNPs GPTMS, herein demonstrated with antibodies and an enzyme. Cellular viability studies confirmed the cytocompatibility of MNPs GPTMS and hemocompatibility of 50 μg/mL. The engineered MNPs GPTMS provide a powerful, sustainable, and biocompatible biomaterial-based tool for specific bioreceptor targeting molecules that can be used in diverse biomedical field applications such as nanobiosensing.

  PublisherDOI

• Relationship between microstructure changes and embrittlement during chemo-oxidative degradation of bimodal HDPE with short chain branches

  Polymer · 2024-10-23 · 4 citations

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Responses to ZnO Nanoparticles During Water Stress in Oryza sativa L.

  Journal of stress physiology & biochemistry · 2020 · 7 citations

  • Chemistry
  • Botany
  • Biology

  Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NP) are being used in different fields of research. The use of NP in agriculture is a recent practice to understand the impact of ZnO NP on growth and functions in plants. This study is an attempt to evaluate the effect of ZnO NP on growth and physiological changes of Oryza sativa in ameliorating PEG induced water stress in rice. ZnO nanoparticles are prepared by chemical method and characterized using Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-Ray diffraction. Water stress induced growth reduction in rice seedlings by modulating ROS and antioxidant responses, but the effect of ZnO nanoparticles, which may be involved in alleviating the adverse effect of water stress on rice seedlings include the regulation of growth, ROS and antioxidant responses. It can be suggested that the water stress may be counteracted by ZnO nanoparticles at lower concentrations. Further detail understanding of the regulation of zinc transporter in response to ZnO nanoparticles is required. The present study give an insight on the possible role of ZnO NP during water stress acclimatization process in rice. Further studies are required to understand the role of Zn transporter in regulating zinc homeostasis under ZnO NP treatment which in turn will open new ideas on plant–nanoparticles interaction in future.

  PublisherOA PDF

• Current nanotechnology advances in diagnostic biosensors

  Medical Devices & Sensors · 2020 · 68 citations

  • Computer Science
  • Nanotechnology
  • Computer Science

  Abstract Current diagnostics present challenges that are imposed by increased life expectancy in the worldwide population. These challenges are related, not only to satisfy the need for higher performance of diagnostic tests, but also to the capacity of creating point‐of‐care, wearable, multiplexing and implantable diagnostic platforms that will allow early detection, continuous monitoring and treatment of health conditions in a personalized manner. These health challenges are translated into technological issues that need to be solved with multidisciplinary knowledge. Nanoscience and technology play a fundamental role in the development of miniaturized sensors that are cheap, accurate, sensitive and consume less power. At nanometre scale, these materials possess higher volume‐to‐surface ratio and display novel properties (composition, charge, reactive sites, physical structure and potential) that are exploited for sensing purposes. These nanomaterials can therefore be integrated into diagnostic sensing platforms allowing the creation of novel technologies that tackle current health challenges. These nanomaterial‐enhanced sensors are extremely diverse, since they use numerous types of materials, nanostructures and detection modes for a multitude of biomarkers. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current state‐of‐the‐art of nanomaterial‐enhanced sensors, emphasizing and discussing the diagnostic challenges that are addressed by the different engineering and nanotechnology approaches. This review also aims to identify the drawbacks of nanomaterial‐enhanced sensors, as well as point out future developmental directions.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• TEACHER WELL-BEING AND NEP 2020: A STUDY OF OCCUPATIONAL STRESS AMONG SCHOOL TEACHERS

  2020-10-10

  book-chapterOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  This study explores occupational stress among private school teachers in India and its impact on their well-being and professional life. Teaching is a demanding profession, and private school teachers face additional pressures such as long working hours, heavy workloads, performance-based evaluations, administrative duties, classroom management, and parental expectations. The introduction of NEP 2020 has added responsibilities, including outcome-based teaching, innovation, and continuous professional development, which further contribute to stress. Through a systematic review of recent studies, it was found that common causes of stress include workload, job insecurity, low or delayed salary, lack of recognition, poor management support, and limited opportunities for breaks or relaxation. Prolonged stress negatively affects teachers’ physical and mental health, leading to fatigue, sleep problems, anxiety, and burnout. It also reduces motivation, patience, creativity, and teaching quality, sometimes making teachers consider leaving the profession. Addressing these stressors is essential for improving teacher well-being and the quality of education.

  PublisherDOI

• Carbon nanotube-based materials—Preparation, biocompatibility, and applications in dentistry

  Elsevier eBooks · 2019-01-01 · 14 citations

  book-chapter1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Rui L. Reis

  University of Minho

  32 shared

• Vítor M. Correlo

  University of Minho

  31 shared

• Nuno M. Neves

  University of Minho

  28 shared

• P. Sol

  Materials Research Group (United States)

  21 shared

• Ana Rita Costa-Pinto

  i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto

  19 shared

• Milford A. Hanna

  University of Nebraska–Lincoln

  18 shared

• Mahesh Padmanabhan

  Mondelēz International (United States)

  13 shared

• Ramaswamy Mani

  University of Minnesota

  10 shared

Education

• PhD

  University of Nebraska-Lincoln

  1986

• M.S

  University of Nebraska-Lincoln

  1983

• B. Tech. (Hons)

  Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur

  1981

Awards & honors

• Distinguished Alumni Award