Papers

20 results
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Article Tier 2

Spectral Classification of Large-Scale Blended (Micro)Plastics Using FT-IR Raw Spectra and Image-Based Machine Learning

Researchers developed and compared four machine learning classifiers for identifying microplastic types from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy data using large-scale blended plastic datasets. The study found that a 1D convolutional neural network achieved the best overall accuracy at over 97%, outperforming decision tree and random forest models, offering a scalable alternative to traditional library-search methods for microplastic identification.

2023 Environmental Science & Technology 61 citations
Article Tier 2

Adaptable microplastic classification using similarity learning on µFTIR spectra collected from µFTIR focal plane array imaging

Researchers trained a one-dimensional convolutional neural network via similarity learning on µFTIR spectra from 45 manufactured microplastic samples across 11 polymer compositions, achieving an F1-score of 0.973 under pristine conditions and 0.905 on spectra with high exogenous background contamination. The similarity learning approach outperformed cross-entropy training and classical machine learning algorithms, and enabled detection of polymer classes not present in the training set.

2025 Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Article Tier 2

Deep convolutional neural networks for aged microplastics identification by Fourier transform infrared spectra classification

This study developed a deep learning model using convolutional neural networks to automatically identify aged microplastics from their infrared spectra. Aging changes the chemical signature of plastics, making them harder to identify with conventional spectral databases. The AI approach achieved high accuracy and could significantly speed up the analysis of environmental samples where weathered microplastics are the norm.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 28 citations
Article Tier 2

A Comparative Study of Machine Learning and Deep Learning Models for Microplastic Classification using FTIR Spectra

Researchers compared machine learning and deep learning models for classifying microplastics using FTIR spectra, evaluating multiple algorithmic approaches against standardised spectral datasets. The study assessed classification accuracy and computational efficiency, identifying which model architectures best discriminate between polymer types in environmental microplastic samples.

2023 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Robust Automatic Identification of Microplastics in Environmental Samples Using FTIR Microscopy

Researchers developed a robust automated method for identifying microplastics in environmental samples using FTIR microscopy combined with machine learning-based spectral matching, improving the consistency and efficiency of microplastic identification compared to manual evaluation.

2019 Analytical Chemistry 87 citations
Article Tier 2

Computer-Assisted Analysis of Microplastics in Environmental Samples Based on μFTIR Imaging in Combination with Machine Learning

Researchers developed machine learning approaches for automated microplastic identification in environmental samples from micro-FTIR imaging data, demonstrating improved accuracy and speed compared to traditional spectral library search methods for scalable analysis.

2021 Environmental Science & Technology Letters 123 citations
Article Tier 2

Leveraging deep learning for automatic recognition of microplastics (MPs) via focal plane array (FPA) micro-FT-IR imaging

Researchers developed PlasticNet, a deep learning neural network for identifying microplastics in environmental samples using infrared imaging, achieving over 95% accuracy across 11 common plastic types. The study demonstrates that this approach overcomes challenges posed by surface modifications and additives that make conventional spectral classification difficult.

2023 Environmental Pollution 30 citations
Article Tier 2

Optimized recognition of microplastic ATR-FTIR spectra with deep learning

Researchers developed an optimized deep learning method for identifying microplastics from ATR-FTIR spectra, improving classification accuracy for weathered and environmentally contaminated MP samples that challenge standard spectral library matching approaches.

2025
Article Tier 2

PlasticNet: Deep Learning for Automatic Microplastic Recognition via FT-IR Spectroscopy

Researchers developed PlasticNet, a deep learning algorithm that automatically identifies microplastic types from infrared spectral data, outperforming conventional library matching approaches. Automating microplastic identification could dramatically speed up the analysis of environmental samples and reduce human error.

2021 Journal of Computational Vision and Imaging Systems 12 citations
Article Tier 2

Machine learning outperforms humans in microplastic characterization and reveals human labelling errors in FTIR data

Researchers developed a small but powerful neural network that can identify microplastic types from infrared spectroscopy data more accurately than human experts. The AI model classified 16 different categories of microplastics and even revealed errors in human-labeled data. This technology could dramatically speed up microplastic analysis in environmental and health studies, making it easier to understand the scale and types of microplastic contamination people are exposed to.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Functional Group Identification for FTIR Spectra Using Image-Based Machine Learning Models

Researchers developed a machine learning model that uses images of FTIR spectra to automatically identify chemical functional groups in unknown substances. This approach could speed up the identification of microplastic polymer types in environmental samples, making large-scale monitoring more efficient.

2021 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Recent advances in the application of machine learning methods to improve identification of the microplastics in environment

This review examined a decade of progress in applying machine learning algorithms to microplastic identification, finding that support vector machines and artificial neural networks significantly improve detection accuracy and efficiency when combined with spectroscopic techniques like FTIR and Raman.

2022 Chemosphere 89 citations
Clinical Trial Tier 1

Automatic microplastic classification using dual-modality spectral and image data for enhanced accuracy

A dual-modality classification system combining FTIR spectral data and microscope images achieved 99% accuracy in automatically identifying five common microplastic polymer types. The study deployed a web application (MPsSpecClassify) that enables researchers to efficiently classify microplastics, addressing the time-consuming and error-prone nature of manual spectral analysis.

2025 Marine Pollution Bulletin 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Classifying polymers with mid-IR spectra and machine learning: From monitoring to detection

Researchers applied machine learning to mid-infrared spectra to automatically classify different types of plastic polymers found in the environment. Accurate polymer identification is essential for microplastic research, and this automated approach could improve monitoring efficiency and data consistency across studies.

2023 1 citations
Article Tier 2

FTIR-Based Microplastic Classification: A Comprehensive Study on Normalization and ML Techniques

Researchers tested machine learning and deep learning techniques for classifying six common types of microplastics using infrared spectroscopy data. They found that using broader spectral ranges and certain normalization techniques significantly improved classification accuracy. The study demonstrates that automated identification of microplastic types is feasible and could speed up environmental monitoring efforts.

2025 Recycling 15 citations
Article Tier 2

Identification of marine microplastics by laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy: 1-Dimensional convolutional neural network and continuous convolutional model

Researchers investigated using laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy combined with deep learning models to identify six types of marine microplastics. A continuous convolution neural network model achieved 99.5% classification accuracy, outperforming a standard 1D convolutional network at 97.5%. The approach offers a faster and less expensive alternative to traditional FTIR and Raman spectroscopy methods for microplastic identification.

2025 Spectrochimica Acta Part A Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Hybrid deep learning framework for environmental microplastic classification: Integrating CNN-based spectral feature extraction and transformer models

Researchers developed a hybrid deep learning framework combining convolutional and attention-based architectures to classify environmental microplastics from FTIR spectra, achieving improved accuracy on weathered and contaminated samples that challenge conventional spectral library approaches.

2025 Environmental Pollution 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Automated Machine-Learning-DrivenAnalysis of Microplasticsby TGA-FTIR for Enhanced Identification and Quantification

Researchers developed an automated machine-learning-driven analysis pipeline for characterizing microplastics using thermogravimetric analysis coupled with FTIR, achieving rapid polymer identification and quantification that could enable high-throughput environmental monitoring.

2025 Figshare
Article Tier 2

A machine learning algorithm for high throughput identification of FTIR spectra: Application on microplastics collected in the Mediterranean Sea

Researchers developed a machine learning method to automatically identify the chemical composition of microplastics from FTIR spectroscopy data collected during the Tara Mediterranean expedition. The algorithm performed well for common polymers like polyethylene and was applied to classify over 4,000 unidentified microplastic spectra. The study demonstrates that automated identification tools can significantly speed up large-scale microplastic pollution surveys while maintaining acceptable accuracy.

2019 Chemosphere 172 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic particles in the Arctic marine environment: database of IR spectra and its analysis by machine learning methods

Researchers compiled a database of infrared spectra from microplastic particles collected in the Arctic marine environment and applied machine learning methods to automate polymer identification, addressing the labor-intensive nature of manual spectral analysis. They developed and evaluated ML classification models using real environmental polymer spectra to improve the speed and scalability of microplastic chemical characterization in polar research.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)