Laser-based device for microplastics detection in water

Project code:
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2019-1264
Project number:
PED 465/2020
Funding bodies:
MCI, UEFISCDI
Programme:
Demonstration experimental project (PED)
Coordinator:
National Institute for Laser, Plasma and Radiation Physics (INFLPR)
Project Leader:
Dr. Adriana-Loredana Smarandache
Start date:
10.11.2020
End date:
09.11.2022
Summary

One major side effect of nowadays abundance of plastic products is microplastic pollution, where small size polymer particles of diverse origins enter the environment, only part of them being removed by the wastewater treatment plants. This project proposal aims at developing a new laser-based device for detection of microplastics in water. The combination of the enhanced sensitivity of the Raman scattering technique obtained using very small samples (microdroplets) with the latest developments in the topics of microfluidics and optical spectroscopy may constitute an advance in the field of online monitoring of water pollutants.

Expected results

Guidelines for the steps to be made during the project;

Proof of concept design;

New laser-based subsystem for detection of microplastics in liquid microdroplets using Raman spectroscopy;

Proof of concept test and implementation of the Raman subsystem;

Chemical, optical and spectral analysis of selected samples;

New data about laser radiation effects on optical properties of microplastic-contaminated water microdroplets;

Technical documentation containing the working parameters for the developed subsystem (Raman);

The new laser-based subsystem for detecting microplastic in water by microfluidic means;

Proof of concept test and implementation of the microfluidic subsystem;

Microfluidic characteristics of the laser exposed microplastic contaminated water samples;

New data about laser radiation effects on optical properties of microplastic-contaminated water;

Technical documentation containing the working parameters for the developed (microfluidic) subsystem;

Technical report regarding the optimal working parameters. Enhanced performances of the developed device;

Project website;

3 scientific papers at national / international conferences;

3 papers in ISI ranked journals;

Stage reports and final project report.

Project Team
Project Leader:
Dr. Adriana Smarandache, CS III
Team Members:
Dr. Angela Staicu, CS I
Dr. Mihai Lucian Pascu, CS I
Dr. Catalin Petre Logofatu, CS I
Dr. Ionut Relu Andrei, CS III
Dr. Viorel Vasile Nastasa, CS III
Dr. Andra Cristina Dinache, CS III
Dr. Tatiana Tozar, CS III
Dr. Iuliana Urzica, CS III
Dr. Mihai Boni, CS III
Dr. Cristian Udrea, CS
Dr. Mihaela Bojan, CS
Agota Simon, ACS
Dr. Ana Maria Udrea, CS
Simona Nistorescu, ACS
Marian Cojocaru, TI
Outreach of the project

Stage Reports

Nov-Dec 2020

Stage 1: Design of the laser-based set-up for detection of microplastics in water (Part I)

Summary Stage Report I

Activity 1.1: Concept of the experimental set-up for detection of microplastics in water (Part I)

Objectives

Design of the conceptual model; Part I – Raman spectroscopy subsystem.

Determining critical parameters and quality attributes to be followed in the device development (I).

Risk assessment.

Selection of the samples (water containing different concentrations of microplastics having different size ranges and densities) to be analyzed as model.

Deliverables:

*Guidelines for the steps to be made during the project; *proof of concept design (part I); *project website; *stage report.

Jan-Dec 2021

Stage 2: Design of the laser-based set-up for detection of microplastics in water (Part II). Assessment of the effects of laser radiation on the microplastic-contaminated water (I).

Summary Stage Report II

Activity 2.1: Concept of the experimental set-up for detection of microplastics in water (Part II). Development of the enhanced Raman scattering subsystem of the experimental device for detection of microplastics in liquid microdroplets.

Objectives

Design of the conceptual model; Part II – Microfluidic subsystem.

Determining critical parameters and quality attributes to be followed in the device development (II).

Update the concept of the enhanced Raman scattering subsystem to last minute published achievements.

Establish the technical characteristics for the equipment to be purchased.

Mount the experimental set-up.

Generation of steady droplets having micro-range volumes of liquids from stock samples of microplastics containing water.

Measurements of the interaction of laser radiation with droplet samples by Raman spectroscopy.

Qualitative/quantitative analysis based on collected Raman spectra.

Optimization of the work parameters (optical, detection, microfluidic, optofluidic).

Implement the risk strategy for the occurred risks and perform risk reassessment.

Deliverables:

*Proof of concept design (part II); *new laser-based subsystem for detection of microplastics in liquid microdroplets using Raman spectroscopy; *proof of concept test and implementation; *chemical, optical and spectral analysis of the selected samples; *new data about laser radiation effects on optical properties of microplastic-contaminated water microdroplets; *1 published paper in ISI ranked journal; 1 scientific communication at national/international conference; *technical documentation containing the working parameters for the developed subsystem (Raman); *updated project website; *stage report.

Disemination

Articles

1. Á. Simon, A. Smarandache, V. Iancu, M.L. Pascu, "Stability of Antimicrobial Drug Molecules in Different Gravitational and Radiation Conditions in View of Applications during Outer Space Missions", MOLECULES 26(8), 2221 (2021)

2. Á. Simon, A. Smarandache, T. Tozar, I.R. Andrei, A. Stoicu, J. JWA van Loon, A. Dowson, M.-L. Pascu; Photoactive chlorpromazine and promazine drugs exposed to hypergravity conditions after interaction with UV laser radiation, ACTA ASTRONAUTICA 189: 260-268 (2021)

3. A.M. Udrea, A. Dinache, J. M. Pagès, R. A. Pirvulescu, "Quinazoline Derivatives Designed as Efflux Pump Inhibitors: Molecular Modeling and Spectroscopic Studies". MOLECULES , 26, 2374 (2021)

4. S. Avram, A. M. Udrea, D.C. Nuta, C. Limban, A.C.; Balea, M.T. Caproiu, F. Dumitrascu, C. Buiu, A.T. Bordei. Synthesis and Bioinformatic Characterization of New Schiff Bases with Possible Applicability in Brain Disorders., 26, 4160, Molecules (2021)

5. Avram, S.; Stan, M.S.; Udrea, A.M.; Buiu, C.; Boboc, A.A.; Mernea, M. 3D-ALMOND-QSAR Models to Predict the Antidepressant Effect of Some Natural Compounds, Pharmaceutics 13, 1449 (2021)<\p>

Conferences

1. Dinache, A.; Tozar, T.; Smarandache, A.; Andrei, I.R.; Boni, M.; Staicu, A.; Pascu, M.L.; Laser Assisted Generation of Medicine Emulsions; PortASAP Meeting Rome 2021, virtual conference, Italy, 10-11 February 2021 (internationala)

2. Dinache A., Tozar T., Smarandache A., Andrei I.R., Boni M., Pascu M.L., Staicu A.; The effect of laser radiation on drug emulsions; 9th International conference on radiation in various fields of research, virtual conference, Montenegro, 14-18 June 2021 (internationala)

3. Viorel Nastasa, Adriana Smarandache, Ruxandra A. Pirvulescu, Ionut-Relu Andrei, George Simion, Gabriel Popescu, Mihail-Lucian Pascu; OCULAR TUMOR TISSUES IMAGING WITH WHITE LIGHT DIFFRACTION PHASE MICROSCOPY (SESIUNEA ŞTIINŢIFICĂ ANUALĂ 2021 - FACULTATEA DE FIZICĂ /UNIVERSITATEA BUCUREŞTI), 19 iunie 2021, Magurele, Romania (nationala).

4. Udrea, A.M.; Stroescu, S.; Boni, M.; Pascu, ML; Staicu, A. “Mechanism of action prediction of TPPS4 photosensitiser in melanoma treatment using molecular docking”; Bucharest University Faculty of Physics 2021 Meeting, 18-06-2021 - Bucharest, Romania, Oral presentation

Jan-Sep 2022

Stage 3: Assessment of the effects of laser radiation on the microplastic-contaminated water (II). Validation of the laser-based device for microplastics detection in water.

Summary Stage Report III

Activity 3.1: Development of the microfluidic subsystem of the experimental device for detection of microplastics in liquids. Validation of the developed experimental set-up.

Objectives

Update the concept of microfluidic subsystem of the experimental device for detection of microplastics in liquids to last minute published achievements.

Mount the experimental set-up.

Evaluation of the microfluidic properties by real time surface and interfacial tension measurements.

Optimization of the work parameters (optical, detection, microfluidic, optofluidic).

Assessment of the laser beams influence on bulk samples following optofluidic experiments by: *optical microscopy (conventional and DPM), *scanning electron microscopy (SEM), *UV-VIS-NIR and FTIR/ATR spectroscopy.

Sampling of microplastic contaminated water from different sources in Romania (tap water, plastic bottled water, rivers, lakes, sea water).

Validation of the two (enhanced Raman spectroscopy and microfluidic) subsystems of the new designed laser-based device using the collected samples.

Implement the risk strategy for the occurred risks and perform risk reassessment.

Based on the obtained results, improvements will be recommended.

Conclusions following the outcomes of the project.

Deliverables:

*New laser-based subsystem for detection of water microplastics by microfluidic means; *proof of concept test and implementation; *microfluidic characteristics of the laser exposed microplastic contaminated water samples; *new data about laser radiation effects on optical properties of microplastic-contaminated water; *technical documentation containing the working parameters for the developed subsystem (microfluidic); *technical report regarding the optimal working parameters. Enhanced performances of the developed device; *2 scientific communications at national/international conferences; *2 papers in ISI ranked journal; *updated project website; *stage report and final report of the project.

Disemination

Articles

1. Dinache, A; Pascu, ML and Smarandache, A; Spectral Properties of Foams and Emulsions; MOLECULES 26(24) 7704; DOI: 10.3390/molecules26247704; Published 20 DEC 2021;

2. Simon, A; Tozar, T; Smarandache, A; Boni, M; Stoicu, A; Dowson, A; Van Loon, JJWA;Pascu, ML; Stability Studies of UV Laser Irradiated Promethazine and Thioridazine after Exposure to Hypergravity Conditions, MOLECULES 27(5):AR 1728 (2022);

3. Nastasa, V; Smarandache, A; Pirvulescu, RA; Andrei, IR; Simion, G; Popescu, G; Pascu, ML; Eye Tumor Tissues Imaging with White Light Diffraction Phase Microscopy. ROMANIAN REPORTS IN PHYSICS 74(3) 604 (2022).

4. Smarandache, A; Andrei, IR; Boni, M; Dinache, A; Udrea, AM; Tozar, T; Staicu, A; Laser Based Detection of Microplastics in Water Droplets: Preliminary Results, trimis la Journal of Quantitative Spectroscopy and Radiative Transfer (Elsevier). - Under review

Conferences

1. Adriana Smarandache, Ionut-Relu Andrei, Mihai Boni, Andra Dinache, Viorel Nastasa, Iuliana Urzica, Angela Staicu; Laser Based Detection of Microplastics in Water, 13th International Conference Series on Laser-light and Interactions with Particles – Optical Particle Characterization follow-up. August 21-26th, 2022, Warsaw, Poland (internationala);

2. Adriana Smarandache, Ionut-Relu Andrei, Mihai Boni, Andra Dinache, Angela Staicu; Microplastics’ Laser-Based Detection in Microdroplets of Water, ICLPR-ST 2022, 7-10 Iunie 2022, Bucuresti (internationala);

3. Adriana Smarandache, Ionut-Relu Andrei, Mihai Boni, Andra Dinache, Viorel Nastasa, Iuliana Urzica, Angela Staicu; Laser Based Detection of Microplastics in Water, 20th International Balkan Workshop on Applied Physics and Materials Science, Constanta, Romania 12-15 July 2022 (internationala);

4. Adriana Smarandache, Ralf Möller, Mihail Lucian Pascu; Stability investigation of gamma-ray irradiated antibiotics, RAD 2022 Conference (Spring Edition), 13-17 iunie 2022, Herceg-Novi, Muntenegru (internationala);

5. Adriana Smarandache, Viorel Nastasa, Ruxandra A. Pirvulescu, Ionut-Relu Andrei, Andra Dinache, George Simion, Mihail Lucian Pascu; Tissues Imaging with White Light Diffraction Phase Microscopy (wDPM), ICLPR-ST 2022, 7-10 Iunie 2022, Bucuresti (internationala);

6. Ionut-Relu Andrei, Andrei Stancalie, Mihai Boni, Mihail-Lucian Pascu, Mircea Bulinski, Micro-droplet temperature characterisation using a fibre Bragg grating, The International Conference on Lasers, Plasma, and Radiation – Science and Technology, 7-10 Iunie 2022, Bucuresti (internationala).