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Cloud Swifter v1.0: Autonomous Atmospheric Microplastic Sampling Aircraft
Summary
Researchers designed an autonomous UAV platform called Cloud Swifter that combines endurance flight with multi-stage particulate filtration to collect and validate atmospheric microplastic samples, repositioning airborne microplastic sampling from speculative cleanup concepts to experimentally verifiable environmental monitoring.
Cloud Swifter v1.0 is a physically grounded autonomous airborne system designed to measure atmospheric microplastics. The platform integrates endurance UAV flight, multi-stage particulate filtration, and post-flight laboratory validation. This work reframes airborne filtration from speculative cleanup concepts toward experimentally verifiable environmental sampling. The system is designed to map atmospheric microplastic gradients, collect validated samples, and support the development of future monitoring infrastructure. This package includes a Nature-style manuscript, system blueprint, validation plan, and supporting materials.