Raman microspectroscopic imaging has been utilized for the investigation of pathological changes in the liver induced by diabetes and atherosclerosis.

The large numbers of ion exchange resins used in various industries (food, pharmaceutitics, mining, hydrometallurgy), and especially in water treatment, are based on cross-linked polystyrene and divinylbenzene copolymers with functional groups capable of ion exchange. Their advantage, which makes them environmentally friendly, is the possibility of their regeneration and reuse. Taking into account the wide application of these materials, styrene–divinylbenzene resin with a quaternary ammonium functional group, Amberlite^®IRA402, was characterized using a well-known and widely used method, FT-IR spectroscopy. As the infrared spectrum of the tested ion exchange resin was rich in bands, its detailed assignment was supported by quantum chemical calculations (DFT/B3LYP/6-31g** and DFT/PCM/B3LYP/6-31g**). Using appropriate 3D models of the resin structure, the optimization of geometry, the infrared spectrum and atomic charges from an atomic polar tensor (APT) were calculated. A detailed description of the infrared spectrum of Amberlite^®IRA402 resin (Cl⁻ form) in the spectral range of 4000–700 cm⁻¹ was performed for the first time. The charge distribution on individual fragments of the resin structure in aqueous solution was also calculated for the first time. These studies will certainly allow for a better understanding of the styrene–divinylbenzene resin interaction in various processes with other substances, particularly in sorption processes.

The composition of the lung tissue of mice was investigated using Raman confocal microscopy at 532 nm excitation wavelength and was supported with various staining techniques as well as DFT calculations. This combination of experimental and theoretical techniques allows for the study of the distribution of lung lipofibroblasts (LIFs), rich in vitamin A, as well as the chemical structure of vitamin A. The comparison of the Raman spectra derived from LIFs with the experimental and theoretical spectra of standard retinoids showed the ability of LIFs to store all-trans retinol, which is partially oxidized to all-trans retinal and retinoic acid. Moreover, we were able to visualize the distribution of other lung tissue components including the surfactant and selected enzymes (lipoxygenase/glucose oxidase).

Flowback water after completion of hydraulic fracturing is one of major waste streams generated during the lifespan of a well so its beneficial reuse is crucial. The application of treated flowback is not limited to stimulation processes but also may include drilling operations and secondary oil recovery. The flowback water used in this work is characterized by high salinity reaching up to ~295 g/L caused mainly by NaCl. The presence of suspended solids, mainly corrosion products, prompts the use of coagulation and filtration as treatment methods. Among tested coagulants the most effective one was the SAX18 (NaAlO₂) commercial coagulant applied at concentration of 12 mL/L which reduces the water turbidity from over 400 FTU to 23 FTU. The applied treatment greatly reduces the concentration of scaling ions and so the concentration of SiO₂ is reduced by 64%, Ba²⁺–66%, Fe²–36%, Mn²⁺–65%, SO₄²⁻–66%. The treated flowback fluid can be reused in surfactant flooding for enhanced oil recovery where achieves 7% higher displacing efficiency than fresh water. The drilling muds which were prepared using the untreated flowback water exhibit good rheological properties. The obtained results show that recycling of flowback water in future drilling and exploitation operations is technically feasible.