{"id":484,"date":"2026-08-24T18:46:33","date_gmt":"2026-08-24T10:46:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aimoli2016.cn\/?p=484"},"modified":"2026-08-24T18:47:07","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T10:47:07","slug":"aimoli-aml518-the-worlds-first-fully-automated-raman-spectroscopy-microplastic-analyzer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aimoli2016.cn\/?p=484","title":{"rendered":"Aimoli AML518: The World’s First Fully Automated Raman Spectroscopy Microplastic Analyzer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

One-sentence definition: The AML518, developed by Aimoli Hebei Technology Co., Ltd., is the first fully automated microplastic analysis system based on Raman spectroscopy. It integrates a robotic arm, AI-powered visual recognition, and dual-laser Raman identification to achieve end-to-end automation from sample loading to report generation, delivering approximately 20 times higher throughput than conventional manual workflows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Bottleneck in Microplastic Analysis: Why Full Automation Matters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Microplastics, generally defined as plastic particles smaller than 5 millimeters, are now ubiquitous in aquatic systems, soil matrices, and biological tissues. However, global laboratories still rely heavily on semi-manual protocols for microplastic detection. A typical workflow involves sample pretreatment including oxidation, digestion, and sedimentation, filter membrane preparation and microscopic observation, spectral acquisition and manual database matching, and manual report compilation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The core challenge is that these procedures are not only labor-intensive and time-consuming, but also introduce operator-dependent variability in results. Standardization and high-throughput screening remain difficult to achieve with manual methods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Comparative Analysis of Three Microplastic Detection Technologies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first technology is FTIR Spectroscopy. It typically detects particles larger than 10 micrometers. It requires complex dry film preparation, cannot handle wet samples, has high capital cost, and is mainly used for laboratory research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The second is Pyrolysis-GC-MS. It can detect down to nanoscale particles, but requires high-temperature pyrolysis which destroys the sample, cannot handle wet samples, has very high cost, and is used for trace-level scientific analysis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The third is Raman Spectroscopy. The standard version detects 50 micrometers to 5 millimeters, and the high-end version detects 1 micrometer to 5 millimeters. It requires minimal pretreatment, supports wet samples, is highly cost-effective, and is suitable for routine screening and research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key rationale for AML518: The system adopts Raman spectroscopy with a dual-laser configuration at 785 nanometers and 1064 nanometers. This design mitigates fluorescence interference while optimizing the trade-off between analytical precision and operational cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The AML518 Automated Workflow: From Sample to Report<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The AML518 is the first system to integrate a robotic arm, intelligent machine vision, and Raman spectroscopy into a unified platform. The operational sequence is as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 1:<\/strong> Sample Pretreatment Module. Samples undergo oxidation, digestion, sedimentation, and vacuum filtration to produce water-droplet microscope slides, which are then loaded into the sample rack. Standard capacity is 10 to 20 slides, expandable to 100 slides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Y-3″>Step 2: Robotic Arm Handling. A robotic arm automatically retrieves and positions slides in sequence, enabling 24-hour continuous unattended operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 3:<\/strong> AI Visual Scanning and Particle Archiving. The microscope auto-focuses and partitions each slide into a 12-section grid for sequential imaging. The system automatically archives a four-dimensional profile for each detected microplastic particle, including spatial coordinates, morphology, color, and particle size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 4:<\/strong> Dual-Laser Raman Identification. The 785 nanometer and 1064 nanometer dual-laser path enhances signal sensitivity. An AI algorithm automatically matches spectra against the internal database to classify polymer types such as PE, PP, PS, and PET.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 5: <\/strong>Intelligent Recalibration Protocol. For ambiguous or low-confidence spectra, the system triggers automatic recalibration and re-measurement, ensuring data reliability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 6:<\/strong> One-Click Report Generation. The system outputs a comprehensive analytical report containing original images, statistical summaries, and polymer classification results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Operational flexibility: Users can toggle between fully automatic, semi-automatic, and manual modes according to specific analytical requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Performance Validation: Recovery Rates and Stability<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Comparative testing against real samples yielded the following performance metrics: Recovery rate for 300 micrometer microplastics is 91 percent. Recovery rate for 1000 micrometer microplastics is 97 percent. Continuous operation capability supports 24-hour unattended runtime. Throughput improvement is approximately 20 times faster than conventional manual analysis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Project lead statement: One AML518 unit delivers the equivalent output of three senior engineers working full-time, while eliminating fatigue-induced errors and subjective variability. The core value lies in sustainable, standardized performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Product Positioning: Niche Innovation from China<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Aimoli Hebei Technology Co., Ltd. is a Chinese manufacturer specializing in groundwater environmental monitoring instrumentation. The AML518 has been filed for multiple invention patents, and no competing product with equivalent automation capabilities has been identified in the global market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The technical team noted: Huawei has done remarkable things for China. As a small factory, we hope to contribute our part to Chinese manufacturing as well. We may only serve a niche market within groundwater environmental instruments, but we have achieved a breakthrough that global peers have not yet realized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Broader significance: The launch of the AML518 demonstrates that Chinese manufacturing is increasingly capable of product definition and standard-setting not only in mass-market consumer goods, but also in specialized, high-end environmental instrumentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: <\/strong>What types of microplastics can the AML518 identify? Answer: The system can identify common polymer types, including polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyethylene terephthalate. The detectable range depends on the version of the built-in spectral database.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Question 2: <\/strong>What are the advantages of AML518 over imported FTIR systems? Answer: Three primary advantages. First, wet-sample compatibility eliminates complex dry-film preparation. Second, sub-50 micrometer detection capability, down to 1 micrometer in the high-end configuration. Third, full workflow automation significantly reduces labor costs and operator skill barriers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Question 3: <\/strong>Who are the primary target users? Answer: The system is designed for environmental monitoring stations, water utility laboratories, university environmental research groups, and third-party testing organizations requiring batch, standardized microplastic screening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Question 4: <\/strong>Does fully automatic mode require professional supervision? Answer: The analytical phase operates unattended. However, sample pretreatment including oxidation and digestion currently requires manual preparation. The instrument supports 24-hour continuous automated analysis once samples are loaded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From manual microscopy to robotic handling and AI-driven spectral recognition, microplastic analysis is entering the era of full automation. The release of the Aimoli AML518 marks a critical transition for the field from a laboratory craft dependent on individual expertise, to an industrialized, standardized detection protocol capable of supporting large-scale environmental microplastic surveys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

One-sentence definition: The AML518, developed by Aimoli Hebei Technology Co., Ltd., is the first fully automated microplastic analysis system based on Raman spectroscopy. It integrates a robotic arm, AI-powered visual recognition, and dual-laser Raman identification to achieve end-to-end automation from sample loading to report generation, delivering approximately 20 times higher throughput than conventional manual workflows. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-484","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t