Overview

• The microchip sorts, sizes and counts individual nanoplastic particles using a simple light microscope and basic camera rather than electron microscopy.
• Arrays of size‑graded Mie‑void cavities capture matching particles, and filled cavities change color, enabling visual readout of size distribution.
• Experiments detected plastic spheres down to about 200 nanometers, covering a key range for environmental and health monitoring.
• Validation included unfiltered lake water mixed with known‑size beads, achieving sizing without separating plastics from biological material.
• Researchers are pursuing a portable commercial tester and adaptations for samples such as blood or tissue, with broader validation and chemical identification still to be integrated.