Kaleigh Harrison
An international research team led by the University of Massachusetts Amherst has developed a novel approach to detecting and analyzing nanoplastics—particles smaller than one micrometer—in complex environmental and biological systems. This innovative technique, known as the OM-SERS system (Optical Manipulation and Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering), introduces a new standard for sensitivity and accuracy in nanoplastic quantification.
Understanding the Rising Concern Around Nanoplastics
Unlike larger microplastics, nanoplastics are invisible to conventional detection tools due to their minuscule size—roughly 1/50th the width of a human hair. These particles are not only highly mobile but also biologically reactive, capable of traversing cellular…