A research team from Kookmin University's Department of Applied Chemistry, led by Professor Kim Hyung-min, has made significant strides in environmental science by developing a groundbreaking technology capable of capturing and analyzing micro and nano plastics in real-time. This research was published in the prestigious journal ACS Sensors, recognized for its excellence as it was selected as a cover paper. The lead authors of the study include Lee Ji-yeon and Park Su-bin, who are currently involved in research roles at Daewoo Hoin Chem and the Korea Institute of Science and Technology, respectively.

Micro plastics, defined as particles smaller than 5mm, are continuously generated through industrial processes and daily life, ultimately accumulating in marine environments, where they can have detrimental effects on human health and ecosystems. Despite the recognized threats posed by micro plastics, precise analysis of their distribution and degradation processes in water has been a longstanding challenge in the scientific community. The research team overcame this limitation by integrating optical line tweezers with hyperspectral Raman technology to create a novel inspection device that captures micro plastic particles flowing in water using lasers while effectively minimizing water interference signals.

This new technology is able to differentiate the size, shape, and type of particles with high precision, including continuous measurement of nano-sized micro particles, thereby significantly enhancing the accuracy of underwater plastic analysis. Professor Kim Hyung-min highlighted that this technology is not only relevant for analyzing underwater micro plastics but also lays the foundation for comprehensive analysis and real-time monitoring of various chemical and biological substances. The research was conducted in collaboration with Dr. Kim Jae-hun’s research team from the Korea Institute of Science and Technology and was supported by various projects from the National Research Foundation of Korea, focusing on nano-related materials and technologies.