In water environment monitoring and management projects, microplastic analysis has always been a major challenge for research institutions and environmental companies due to large sample volumes, long testing cycles, and high labor requirements.
Recently, a team led by Mr. Chen from Southwest China used the AIMOLI AML518 automated microplastic analysis service and completed a water microplastic analysis project in only about 1/20 of the time required by traditional methods. The project was completed ahead of schedule, and the testing results received high recognition from the client.
A Water Environment Project in Southwest China Faced Challenges in Microplastic Analysis
Two weeks ago, Mr. Chen from Southwest China contacted AIMOLI, hoping to solve a practical challenge in a water environment testing project through professional microplastic analysis services.
Mr. Chen is an engineer at a company specializing in groundwater remediation, lake restoration, and river basin management. We first met at an industry exhibition in Chengdu, where AIMOLI was showcasing environmental monitoring technologies, while Mr. Chen was attending the exhibition to learn about the latest developments in water monitoring and treatment technologies.
For this project, the team needed to conduct microplastic testing on water samples from a specific area, involving hundreds of samples. If traditional microplastic analysis methods were used, the project would require significant manpower and a much longer testing period.
Therefore, Mr. Chen hoped to find a more efficient microplastic analysis solution to accelerate project progress.
Comparison of Common Microplastic Analysis Technologies
Currently, there are mainly three major technical approaches used for global microplastic analysis:
1. Infrared Spectroscopy Microplastic Analysis Technology
Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) is one of the most widely used methods for microplastic detection.
Advantages:
- Mature technology with extensive application experience;
- Capable of identifying common plastic polymers.
Limitations:
- Difficult to accurately identify microplastics smaller than 10 μm;
- Usually requires sample drying and cannot perform wet-state analysis;
- Complex sample preparation procedures and relatively high testing costs.
2. Quantitative Mass Spectrometry Analysis Technology
Quantitative mass spectrometry is a relatively new technology in microplastic analysis.
Advantages:
- Capable of detecting certain types of nanoplastics;
- Provides high detection sensitivity.
Limitations:
- Expensive equipment costs;
- Requires strict laboratory conditions and highly skilled operators;
- Large-scale application is still limited.
3. Raman Spectroscopy Microplastic Analysis Technology
Raman spectroscopy has become an important technology development direction in the field of microplastic analysis.
Advantages:
- Accurately identifies different plastic polymer types;
- Supports detection of smaller particles;
- Requires no complicated sample preparation;
- Supports wet sample analysis;
- More suitable for ultra-fine microplastic detection.
Considering detection accuracy, application range, and cost efficiency, Raman spectroscopy technology provides strong advantages for advanced microplastic analysis applications.
Traditional Microplastic Analysis Has Low Efficiency for Large Sample Volumes
Currently, the global microplastic analysis market is still dominated by imported instruments, and many systems operate in manual or semi-automatic modes.
Previously, Mr. Chen’s team used an imported manual FTIR microplastic analyzer. The entire process required:
- Manually selecting microplastic particles;
- Testing samples one by one;
- Manually adjusting detection parameters;
- Manually analyzing testing results.
Each sample required approximately 3-4 hours for analysis. One operator could only complete around 2-3 samples per day.
For a project involving hundreds of samples, traditional methods would require a huge amount of labor and significantly extend the project timeline.
This was the key reason why Mr. Chen was looking for a more efficient microplastic analysis solution.
AIMOLI AML518 Automated Microplastic Analyzer Improves Efficiency by 20X
To meet the demand for large-scale water microplastic testing, AIMOLI AML518 adopts automated micro-Raman analysis technology, enabling an intelligent workflow from sample loading to final report generation.
Compared with traditional manual microplastic analysis methods, AML518 provides higher efficiency, lower dependence on operators, and more stable data output.
AML518 Completes Microplastic Analysis Through 7 Automated Steps
1. Automatic Sample Loading
The system supports continuous multi-sample testing and can process up to 100 samples automatically without continuous operator supervision.
2. Automatic Sample Scanning
One slide can be automatically scanned and generate 1,800 images within approximately 18 minutes.
Compared with traditional methods requiring manual adjustment and image capture, AML518 significantly improves scanning efficiency.
3. Automatic Microplastic Particle Identification
The system automatically locates target particles and reduces manual screening time.
4. Automatic Particle Scanning and Analysis
The system automatically analyzes particle locations without manually adjusting each detection position.
5. AI Intelligent Raman Spectrum Acquisition
The system automatically completes:
- Auto focusing;
- Spectrum parameter optimization;
- Integration time adjustment;
- Data acquisition optimization.
6. Automatic Spectrum Analysis
Through intelligent algorithms, AML518 identifies plastic types in real time, reducing errors caused by manual operation.
7. Automatic Report Generation
The testing results are automatically organized and exported, greatly improving project delivery efficiency.
4 Major Advantages of AIMOLI AML518 for Microplastic Analysis
1. Fully Automated Workflow Reduces Labor Costs
AIMOLI AML518 integrates sample loading, scanning, identification, analysis, and report generation into a fully automated process.
Operators no longer need to continuously monitor the instrument, significantly reducing labor requirements.
2. AI Identification Improves Microplastic Analysis Accuracy
Traditional manual detection methods are easily affected by operator experience and subjective judgment.
AML518 uses AI algorithms to automatically identify particles, reducing missed detection and false identification. The data is more stable, reliable, traceable, and comparable.
3. 20X Higher Efficiency for Large-Scale Sample Testing
For water microplastic testing projects involving dozens or hundreds of samples, AML518 can greatly shorten the analysis cycle.
Compared with traditional manual particle screening and measurement methods, the testing throughput is increased by approximately 20 times, allowing laboratories to complete large-scale microplastic analysis projects more efficiently.
4. Intelligent Classification and Statistical Analysis
With professional spectral databases and intelligent analysis algorithms, AML518 can automatically complete:
- Polymer type identification;
- Particle counting;
- Size distribution analysis;
- Abundance analysis;
- Color and morphology analysis.
This helps research institutions and environmental companies obtain more comprehensive microplastic pollution data.
AIMOLI AML518 Helps Mr. Chen Complete the Microplastic Analysis Project Ahead of Schedule
In fact, Mr. Chen had already learned about the technical capabilities of the AIMOLI AML518 automated microplastic analyzer.
However, due to the limited budget of this project, the team was unable to directly purchase the AML518 instrument. Therefore, both parties decided to cooperate through AIMOLI’s professional microplastic analysis service.
With efficient teamwork and the automated testing capability of AML518, the entire project was completed with approximately 20 times higher efficiency compared with traditional methods.
The testing results were highly recognized by the client and provided reliable data support for future water environment management projects.
AIMOLI: Making Microplastic Analysis More Efficient with Intelligent Environmental Testing Technology
Facing application scenarios such as water pollution monitoring, Groundwater Sampling, and river basin management, AIMOLI continues to develop high-efficiency and intelligent environmental testing solutions.
From microplastic analysis to comprehensive water environment monitoring solutions, AIMOLI is committed to helping research institutions and environmental companies improve testing efficiency and make complex environmental analysis more accurate and efficient.
