Fluorescent Microplastic Mass Estimation Using Nile Red Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for analyzing microplastics, such as FT-IR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and Py GC-MS, are expensive and require long analysis times, making them impractical for general laboratory use, and thermal decomposition methods are destructive.
Innovation Solution
A method using fluorescent staining with Nile red solution to quantify microplastics by capturing fluorescent images, analyzing fluorescence intensity, and building a database for mass estimation, which can be performed with simpler and cheaper equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional methods (FT-IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry) are used to analyze microplastics, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a fluorescent copy of the microplastic sample through staining, where the fluorescence intensity serves as a proxy measure for mass. This replaces the need for complex spectroscopic or mass spectrometric equipment with a simple fluorescence imager, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining quantification capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a fluorescent stain as an intermediary substance that binds to microplastics and produces a detectable fluorescence signal. This intermediary converts the physical mass measurement problem into an optical detection problem, enabling quantification using simple imaging equipment rather than complex analytical instruments
2Measurement precision
If conventional counting methods are used to analyze microplastics, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual counting process with an automated fluorescence imaging and image analysis system. The fluorescence signal from stained microplastics is captured and quantified automatically by software, eliminating time-consuming manual observation and counting while maintaining accurate mass quantification
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from physical appearance/visual counting to fluorescence intensity measurement. This parameter transformation enables rapid automated quantification, as fluorescence intensity can be measured quickly and objectively by image analysis software, significantly reducing analysis time compared to manual counting methods
3Measurement precision
If thermal decomposition method is used to analyze microplastics, then measurement precision is improved, but object-affected harmful factors increase due to destructive analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a fluorescent stain as a non-destructive intermediary that binds to microplastic surfaces without altering or destroying the samples. This allows repeated measurements and preserves the original microplastic material, eliminating the harmful destructive effect of thermal decomposition while maintaining accurate mass quantification capability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and cost-effective quantification of microplastics in large samples by reducing analysis time and avoiding destructive methods.
Implementation Method 1
microplastics are stained with a Nile red solution, the stained microplastics are weighted and photographed with a camera, a DB in which fluorescence intensity corresponding to the mass of the microplastics is quantified
Data Source
AI summary
Proposed is a method for estimating the mass of microplastics by using fluorescent staining. The method may include staining microplastic samples by using a Nile red solution, and capturing a fluorescent image of each of the stained microplastic samples after classifying the stained microplastic samples by mass. The method may also include analyzing the captured fluorescent image to quantify a fluorescence intensity thereof to build a database (DB) about a correlation between mass and fluorescence intensity of microplastics. The method may further include estimating a mass value of an unknown microplastic sample by comparing a fluorescence intensity of a fluorescent image of the unknown microplastic sample obtained by performing the staining and capturing of the unknown microplastic sample with data stored in the database.