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Revolution in the fight against pollution: Startup develops portable and low-maintenance device for collecting microplastics, inspired by biomimicry
Pollution by microplastics is one of the oldest and environmental crises most insidious of our time. These tiny particles, less than five millimeters in size, arise from the decomposition of larger plastic materials and fontes as fibers synthetic and microspheres present in personal care products. Although small, these particles are ubiquitous in our aquatic ecosystems and have devastating consequences for marine life and, potentially, human health.
The impact of microplastics on the environment
Recent studies reveal that there are around 171 trillion microplastic particles floating in rivers, lakes and oceans around the world. This immense amount of pollutants has a cascading effect on aquatic ecosystems, affecting organisms of all sizes, from plankton to large marine mammals such as whales. When ingested, microplastics can cause internal physical damage, interfere with animals' ability to feed and, in extreme cases, lead to death.
Furthermore, microplastics are present in the human food chain. Studies indicate that humans consume approximately 5 grams of microplastics per week, the equivalent of ingesting 50 plastic bags per year. This continued exposure raises concerns about potential adverse health effects, such as inflammation, hormonal dysregulation, and exposure to harmful substances. chemical toxic.
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PolyGone Systems' solution
Amid this alarming scenario, the cleantech startup PolyGone Systems, located in New Jersey, USA, emerges as a beacon of hope. Founded by Nathaniel Banks and Yidian Liu, the company is committed to combating marine microplastic pollution through revolutionary patent-pending technologies. Among these are the device Plastic Hunter and the Artificial Root Filter, designed to capture and analyze microplastics in aquatic environments.
PolyGone Systems officially launched in May 2021, but its origins date back to Banks and Liu’s joint architecture thesis project at Princeton University.
During their research, the duo came across the flaws of the plastic recycling industry and the vast amount of plastics that end up polluting the oceans every year. Alarmed by the lack of effective infrastructure to remove microplastics from water bodies, Banks and Liu decided to develop innovative solutions to address this challenge.
One of the biggest obstacles to removing microplastics is their tiny size. Most plastic collection devices currently in use struggle to capture particles smaller than one millimeter. Although there are industrial water treatment systems that can filter even smaller particles, these systems are extremely expensive and difficult to implement, making their adoption limited.
In response to these limitations, Banks and Liu created the Plastic Hunter — a modular and affordable framework that monitors, collects and removes microplastics from Rivers and lakes. The difference with Plastic Hunter is the use of Artificial Root Filter, a biomimetic filter inspired by the structure of aquatic plant roots. Composed of thousands of hydrophobic silicone fibers, the filter is highly effective in capturing microplastics without interfering with ecosystems.
"Instead of relying on traditional mesh filtration methods, we invented a biomimetic filter that mimics the fibrous structure of aquatic plant roots.”, explains Liu. “Silicone fibers attract and trap small plastic particles due to their hydrophobic properties. Our experiments showed that the smaller the particles, the more effective the filter is at capturing them."
Efficiency in combating pollution
The artificial root filters can be easily attached to various structures or the Plastic Hunter monitoring hub for efficient sampling and remediation. The device can be deployed in water bodies of different sizes and configurations, without the need for pumps or electricity. Analysis of the filters provides valuable data on microplastic contamination, helping to formulate mitigation strategies in urban and rural areas.
In places with high concentrations of pollution, authorities can install large sets of filters to carry out remediation on a larger scale.
PolyGone’s support infrastructure is adaptable, allowing filters to be customized to meet the specific conditions of each environment.
In addition to efficient collection, PolyGone has developed an innovative solution for cleaning the filters, ensuring their longevity and effectiveness.”We have developed a cleaning device that shakes the filters, removing captured microplastics,” Liu highlights.
"By adding a specialized detergent, we were able to remove 91% of the microplastics from the filters, which are then reinserted into operation."
This sustainable and low-cost approach makes Plastic Hunter a promising solution in the fight against microplastic pollution, offering a practical and effective way to protect our aquatic ecosystems.
PolyGone Systems
PolyGone Systems’ innovation represents a significant step forward in the battle against microplastic pollution. With a biomimetic approach and affordable solutions, the startup is transforming the way we approach cleaning our water bodies.
As we continue to address the environmental challenges of the 21st century, technologies like Plastic Hunter will be essential to protecting marine life and human health, ensuring a cleaner, more sustainable future.
