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Zero-plastic: AI-assisted sensing for microplastic assessment
Summary
Scientists developed a new device that uses artificial intelligence and microscopy to detect tiny plastic particles (called microplastics) in water. The prototype can spot plastic pieces as small as 3 micrometers - much smaller than the width of a human hair - which could help us better monitor plastic pollution in our water sources. This matters because microplastics are everywhere in our environment and may pose health risks, but until now they've been very difficult to measure accurately.
Abstract Microplastics are widespread in aquatic environments, and their quantification remains difficult. This study presents the zero plastic prototype, an open source AI-assisted imaging system designed for microplastic detection. The prototype device uses flow-imaging microscopy to capture particles in the 3–200 $$\mu$$ m range and applies an AI-based segmentation pipeline for image analysis. Laboratory validation was carried out using polystyrene microspheres in the 3–20 $$\mu$$ m range, prepared under reproducible conditions. Comparison with scanning electron microscopy showed agreement for spherical particles larger than 3 $$\mu$$ m. The results define the prototype’s performance under controlled laboratory conditions for polystyrene microspheres and provide a basis for future development toward use in environmental monitoring.
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