Field-Portable Sensing System For Microplastic In Water Supply (ART/366CP) | ASTRI - Hong Kong Applied Science And Technology Research Institute Company Limited

Project Title:

Field-Portable Sensing System for Microplastic in Water Supply (ART/366CP)

Project Reference:

ART/366CP

Project Type:

Platform

Project Period:

01 / 09 / 2023 - 28 / 02 / 2025

Funds Approved (HK$’000):

6490.6

Project Coordinator:

Dr Ming-Leung Vincent TSE

Deputy Project Coordinator:

Deliverable:

Research Group:

Sponsor:

The Water Supplies Department

Description:

The ability to study microplastic is hindered by lack of technologies for rapid characterization of environmental samples. The standardized laboratory testing method is two-pronged - microscopy to identify potential particles, and spectrometers to determine the type of plastic by chemical confirmation. The spectroscopy is mostly done by FTIR spectrometer, those performance is affected by water, and therefore work only with dried samples. Here, we aim to develop a fluidic hyperspectral imaging system to inspect microplastic that is suspended in water. The size of around 150 microns is of great interest, below which is believed to be absorbed by human body, and with the greatest chance of causing adverse health issues. Therefore, 20 to 150 microns plastic is the main target of the proposed sensing system. In this project, a microscopic hyperspectral imaging device with flow cell integration, together with specially designed collapsible water sample collection and chemical treatment modules will be developed. On-site testing will be conducted for freshwater locations in Hong Kong for the performance verification.

Co-Applicant:

Keywords:

More about ASTRI

Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) was founded by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 2000 with the mission of enhancing Hong Kong’s competitiveness through applied research. ASTRI’s core R&D competence in various areas is grouped under five Technology Divisions: Advanced Electronic Components and Systems; Artificial Intelligence and Trust Technologies; Communications Technologies; Innovative Mind; and IoT Sensing and AI Technologies. It is applied across six core areas which are Smart City, Financial Technologies, New Industrialisation and Intelligent Manufacturing, Digital Health, Application Specific Integrated Circuits and Metaverse.

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