Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

A Magnetic Levitation System for Range/Sensitivity-Tunable Measurement of Density

Researchers developed a magnetic levitation (MagLev) system capable of measuring the density of small objects across a tunable range of sensitivity. The system can identify materials by their density, which has applications for sorting and identifying microplastics by polymer type. A versatile density-measurement tool could streamline microplastic characterization in environmental samples.

2023 Sensors 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Bidimensional Dynamic Magnetic Levitation: Sequential Separation of Microplastics by Density and Size

Researchers developed a two-dimensional dynamic magnetic levitation technique that simultaneously separates microplastics by both material density and particle size in a single step. The 2D-MagLev method addresses a key gap in microplastic sample preparation by resolving mixtures of plastics that differ in both polymer type and particle dimensions.

2024 Analytical Chemistry 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Radial Magnetic Levitation and Its Application to Density Measurement, Separation, and Detection of Microplastics

Researchers developed a new radial magnetic levitation (MagLev) device using ring magnets that doubles the working distance compared to standard designs, enabling more accurate density-based measurement and separation of materials. The study demonstrates the system's direct application to detecting and sorting microplastic particles by density, offering a rapid, chemical-free method for identifying different polymer types in environmental samples. This technology could become a practical tool for field and laboratory microplastic analysis, helping researchers and regulators better quantify plastic contamination.

2023 Analytical Chemistry 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Biphasic Magnetic Levitation to Detect Organic Pollutants on Microplastics

Researchers developed a biphasic magnetic levitation system for detecting organic pollutants sorbed onto microplastics, using a paramagnetic aqueous donor phase containing mixed microplastics alongside a diamagnetic organic acceptor phase. Position-dependent trapping of microplastics in a magnetic field enabled density-based separation and quantification of co-occurring organic contaminants.

2022 Analytical Chemistry 12 citations
Article Tier 2

Magnetism-Assisted Density Gradient Separation of Microplastics

Researchers developed a magnetism-assisted density gradient separation method using a specialized cell connected to a gradient pump and positioned between opposing neodymium magnets, through which increasing MnCl2 concentration gradients sequentially suspend and collect different microplastic types by density for efficient separation from complex particle mixtures.

2022 Analytical Chemistry 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Validation of density separation for the rapid recovery of microplastics from sediment

Researchers validated a density separation method for rapidly recovering microplastics from sediment samples, confirming it as a reliable and efficient approach for routine environmental monitoring.

2016 Analytical Methods 505 citations
Article Tier 2

An Environmentally Friendly Method for the Identification of Microplastics Using Density Analysis

This study developed an inexpensive, eco-friendly method for identifying microplastic polymer types using only safe liquids (water, ethanol, and salt solutions) for density-based separation. The approach is field-portable and avoids the hazardous chemicals used in current methods, making microplastic monitoring more accessible.

2021 Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Laboratory Designed Portable Device for Density Separation and Characterization of Microplastics in Environmental Soil Samples

Scientists designed a small, portable device for extracting microplastics from soil and sediment samples using a density separation method with different salt solutions, successfully isolating PET, LDPE, PVC, and PP from samples collected in school yards, lakesides, and agricultural fields. A portable, low-cost device lowers the barrier to field-based microplastic monitoring and could enable wider participation in pollution surveys.

2024 Letters in Applied NanoBioScience 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Rapid extraction of high- and low-density microplastics from soil using high-gradient magnetic separation

High-gradient magnetic separation was developed as a method to extract both high- and low-density microplastics from soil, overcoming the limitation of conventional density-based separation that often misses heavier plastic types. The approach improved overall microplastic recovery and offers a more complete picture of soil contamination.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 40 citations
Article Tier 2

Optimized microplastic analysis based on size fractionation, density separation and μ-FTIR

Researchers optimized a multi-step method for extracting and identifying microplastics from soil and sediment, combining grain size separation, density flotation, and infrared microscopy. The validated method achieved high recovery rates for eight common plastic polymers, contributing to more reliable monitoring of soil microplastic contamination.

2020 Water Science & Technology 59 citations
Article Tier 2

Not all microplastics are created equal. Quantifying efficacy bias and validation of density separation methods

Researchers evaluated and validated density separation methods for extracting microplastics from environmental matrices, quantifying efficacy bias across different polymer types with varying densities. They found that recovery rates differ substantially depending on polymer density relative to the separation solution, introducing systematic bias in microplastic concentration estimates across studies.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

A simple method for the extraction and identification of light density microplastics from soil

This study developed and validated a simple method for extracting and identifying low-density microplastics from sediment samples, offering a practical and cost-effective approach for environmental monitoring.

2017 The Science of The Total Environment 525 citations
Article Tier 2

Sorting microplastics from other materials in water samples by ultra-high-definition imaging

Researchers used a commercial particle analyzer with ultra-high-definition imaging to sort and identify microplastic particles in water samples. The device successfully distinguished between different plastic types based on how light scatters through or off their surfaces, and could separate microplastics from air bubbles and other non-plastic particles. The study demonstrates a relatively fast and accessible method for characterizing microplastic contamination in water.

2023 Journal of the European Optical Society Rapid Publications 15 citations
Article Tier 2

A novel, highly efficient method for the separation and quantification of plastic particles in sediments of aquatic environments

Researchers improved a density separation method for isolating microplastics from aquatic sediments, achieving higher recovery rates and reducing processing time compared to earlier approaches. The validated method was designed to be reproducible and cost-effective, addressing the need for reliable standardized protocols in microplastic monitoring.

2012 Limnology and Oceanography Methods 654 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic extraction from sediments established? – A critical evaluation from a trace recovery experiment with a custom-made density separator

Scientists evaluated the accuracy of a custom density separator for extracting small microplastic particles from sediment, finding variable recovery rates across different polymer types. Standardized and validated extraction methods are essential for accurate measurements of microplastic contamination in sediment environments.

2021 Analytical Methods 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Separation of microplastics from deep-sea sediment using an affordable, simple to use, and easily accessible density separation device

Researchers developed an affordable, simple, and accessible density separation device for extracting microplastics from deep-sea sediment, addressing the lack of accuracy and reproducibility in existing extraction methods. The study included spike-recovery experiments as positive controls to validate extraction performance across different sediment matrices.

2024
Article Tier 2

Non-Destructive Extraction and Separation of Nano- and Microplastics from Environmental Samples by Density Gradient Ultracentrifugation

Researchers developed a non-destructive method using density gradient ultracentrifugation to extract and separate different types of nano- and microplastics from environmental samples. The study demonstrates that this approach can effectively separate various plastic polymer types from complex environmental matrices based on their density differences, offering a promising new tool for microplastic analysis.

2022 Analytical Chemistry 42 citations
Article Tier 2

Fluorescence polarimetry for microplastics identification

Researchers developed a novel fluorescence polarimetry approach using anisotropy measurements to identify and characterize microplastics, offering a faster and simpler alternative to conventional spectroscopy and chromatography methods that require complex sample preparation.

2025
Article Tier 2

A new small device made of glass for separating microplastics from marine and freshwater sediments

Researchers developed a new compact glass device for extracting microplastics from marine and freshwater sediments via density separation, addressing shortcomings of existing apparatus such as poor recovery rates and time inefficiency.

2019 PeerJ 95 citations
Article Tier 2

Study on Harnessing Ferrofluid Technology for Efficient Microplastic Extraction from Ocean Water and Optimization of Manufacturing Materials

Researchers developed a ferrofluid-based method for extracting microplastics from ocean water, using magnetic attraction to selectively capture plastic particles mixed with ferrofluid. The technique offers a novel, efficient approach for ocean microplastic remediation and sample collection.

2025
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Collection With Ultra-High Magnetic Field Magnet by Magnetic Separation

Ultra-high magnetic field magnets were evaluated for collecting microplastics from ocean water through magnetic separation, offering a high-throughput processing approach that could complement existing microplastic cleanup technologies targeting the SDG goal of reducing ocean pollution.

2021 IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity 12 citations
Article Tier 2

Extraction and concentration of nanoplastic particles from aqueous suspensions using functionalized magnetic nanoparticles and a magnetic flow cell

Researchers developed a method using hydrophobic magnetic nanoparticles to capture and concentrate nanoplastics — plastic particles smaller than 1 micrometer — from water samples, achieving recovery rates of 57–85% across different water types including freshwater and seawater. This technique addresses a major gap in nanoplastic research by making it possible to detect and measure these nearly invisible particles in real environmental samples.

2023 Microplastics and Nanoplastics 27 citations
Article Tier 2

Analytical methods used in microplastics identification: A review

This review examines the range of analytical methods used to identify microplastics in environmental samples, evaluating the strengths and limitations of techniques including visual inspection, spectroscopy, and chromatography for accurate microplastic characterization.

2024 Journal of Hydro-meteorology
Article Tier 2

An optimized density-based approach for extracting microplastics from soil and sediment samples

Researchers optimized a density-based extraction method for isolating microplastics from soil and sediment samples, testing different density solutions and separation steps to maximize recovery efficiency. The improved protocol reduces contamination risks and particle loss, enabling more accurate quantification of microplastics in terrestrial and freshwater sediment matrices.

2019 Environmental Pollution 215 citations