Recent advances in field-responsive polymers, which have emerged as highly promising materials for numerous applications, are highlighted.

The complex function of living systems is dictated by their inherent cooperative response to multiple external stimuli which induce dynamic changes in their physicochemical properties. Advances in the areas of nano- and bio-technology demand for the development of “smart” synthetic materials that would resemble the living systems in their complex behaviour as a response to applied stimuli. This reversible response directs the formation of hierarchical self-assemblies or stimulates changes in the volume, the shape or the surface characteristics of the system. Progress in this rapidly expanding area can lead to the development of dynamically multiresponsive constructs in the form of polymers, particles, gels or surfaces, for potential use in a wide range of applications such as drug delivery, tissue engineering, self-healing materials, bioseparations, sensors and actuators. This review highlights the recent advances in polymer chemistry to design multiresponsive polymeric materials that recognize independently or synergistically more than one stimulus exhibiting collective responses. Emerging developments, challenges and future trends in this exciting field are also discussed.

A microcosm experiment was conducted at two phases in order to investigate the ability of indigenous consortia alone or bioaugmented to degrade weathered polystyrene (PS) films under simulated marine conditions. Viable populations were developed on PS surfaces in a time dependent way towards convergent biofilm communities, enriched with hydrocarbon and xenobiotics degradation genes. Members of Alphaproteobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria were highly enriched in the acclimated plastic associated assemblages while the abundance of plastic associated genera was significantly increased in the acclimated indigenous communities. Both tailored consortia efficiently reduced the weight of PS films. Concerning the molecular weight distribution, a decrease in the number-average molecular weight of films subjected to microbial treatment was observed. Moreover, alteration in the intensity of functional groups was noticed with Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry (FTIR) along with signs of bio-erosion on the PS surface. The results suggest that acclimated marine populations are capable of degrading weathered PS pieces.