Scientists develop new optical device to detect, measure nanoplastics

Scientists have developed a new optical sieve technology that can detect, know the size, and count nanoplastic particles less than 1 micron in diameter that pose serious risks to human health and the environment.

A team of scientists from the University of Stuttgart in Germany and the University of Melbourne in Australia has introduced a groundbreaking technique that allows nanoplastic particles to be seen with just a simple test strip and a basic microscope. Their findings were published in Nature Photonics.

Nanoplastics, unlike larger plastic fragments, can cross biological barriers such as the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in tissues, raising major health concerns. Until now, studying them has been difficult, requiring costly equipment like scanning electron microscopes.

The newly introduced optical sieve uses light-based resonances to filter and identify nanoplastics. Remarkably, it only requires a standard optical microscope and camera, making it a much more accessible method. By analysing colour changes, researchers can quickly gather statistical information about the number, size, and distribution of plastic particles.

The system was tested on a plastic sample with a mass concentration of 150 μg/ml and delivered reliable results. Experts say the innovation could become a simple, affordable, and mobile tool for environmental monitoring and biological research worldwide.