EP3950133A1 - Microfluidic chip and device for determining the physical properties and/or the chemical nature of solid microplastic particles suspended in a liquid sample - Google Patents
Microfluidic chip and device for determining the physical properties and/or the chemical nature of solid microplastic particles suspended in a liquid sample Download PDFInfo
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- EP3950133A1 EP3950133A1 EP20305916.7A EP20305916A EP3950133A1 EP 3950133 A1 EP3950133 A1 EP 3950133A1 EP 20305916 A EP20305916 A EP 20305916A EP 3950133 A1 EP3950133 A1 EP 3950133A1
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- Prior art keywords
- microfluidic chip
- microplastic particles
- chip
- microfluidic
- filter
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
- B01L3/50—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
- B01L3/502—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures
- B01L3/5027—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip
- B01L3/502761—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip specially adapted for handling suspended solids or molecules independently from the bulk fluid flow, e.g. for trapping or sorting beads, for physically stretching molecules
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L2200/00—Solutions for specific problems relating to chemical or physical laboratory apparatus
- B01L2200/06—Fluid handling related problems
- B01L2200/0647—Handling flowable solids, e.g. microscopic beads, cells, particles
- B01L2200/0652—Sorting or classification of particles or molecules
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L2200/00—Solutions for specific problems relating to chemical or physical laboratory apparatus
- B01L2200/06—Fluid handling related problems
- B01L2200/0647—Handling flowable solids, e.g. microscopic beads, cells, particles
- B01L2200/0668—Trapping microscopic beads
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
- B01L2300/06—Auxiliary integrated devices, integrated components
- B01L2300/0681—Filter
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
- B01L2300/08—Geometry, shape and general structure
- B01L2300/0861—Configuration of multiple channels and/or chambers in a single devices
- B01L2300/0864—Configuration of multiple channels and/or chambers in a single devices comprising only one inlet and multiple receiving wells, e.g. for separation, splitting
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
- B01L2300/08—Geometry, shape and general structure
- B01L2300/0861—Configuration of multiple channels and/or chambers in a single devices
- B01L2300/0867—Multiple inlets and one sample wells, e.g. mixing, dilution
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
- B01L2300/08—Geometry, shape and general structure
- B01L2300/0861—Configuration of multiple channels and/or chambers in a single devices
- B01L2300/0883—Serpentine channels
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L2400/00—Moving or stopping fluids
- B01L2400/08—Regulating or influencing the flow resistance
- B01L2400/084—Passive control of flow resistance
- B01L2400/086—Passive control of flow resistance using baffles or other fixed flow obstructions
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
- B01L3/50—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
- B01L3/502—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures
- B01L3/5027—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip
- B01L3/502769—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip characterised by multiphase flow arrangements
- B01L3/502776—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip characterised by multiphase flow arrangements specially adapted for focusing or laminating flows
Definitions
- the invention relates to a device for the determination of the physical properties and chemical nature of the microplastic particles suspended in a liquid sample.
- microplastics There are still many uncertainties related to the low number of studies on microplastics present in the nature with a size of 10-50 microns or less, representing the detection limit of the most commonly used analytical equipment. Some experimental studies have revealed increasing concentrations of increasingly smaller microplastics. In addition, the toxicity of microplastics and the relative ease with which the number of particles crossing biological barriers is expected to increase as their size decreases. This raises new concerns about microplastics.
- Detection, identification, and quantification of particulate matter (such as microplastics, in particular) contaminating drinking water is an exhaustive process using the methodologies currently employed in terms of time and cost. Commonly microscopy, or chromatography are used to study microplastics.
- the integration of several techniques on-chip to achieve high-throughput analysis of drinking water has not been reported.
- the invention does precise analysis of the particle physical properties, or it determines the chemical nature of the particles.
- the invention allows automation, thus makes it cheap and its speed is optimized.
- the invention presents a microfluidic chip used to determine the physical properties and/or the chemical nature of at least the microplastic particles suspended in a liquid sample, so as to distinguish the microplastic particles therein, the microplastic particles having a size smaller than 200 micrometers, the microfluidic chip comprising:
- the stop area presents a surface inferior to 10 mm 2 , advantageously inferior to 1 mm 2 , advantageously inferior to 0.1 mm 2 [so as to concentrate the microplastic particles on a small surface for their analysis].
- the stop area presents a surface inferior to 0.5 mm 2 .
- the microfluidic chip comprises a sorter with:
- the sorting chamber comprises series of filters to trap the microplastic particles already sorted, with different stop areas, so as to accumulate the sorted microplastic particles in the microfluidic chip according to their size.
- each filter is spatially shifted with respect to each adjacent filter in the direction of the flow.
- the filters comprise patterns, these patterns consisting of an array, or a line of elements engraved on-chip.
- the microfluidic chip comprises the association of the alignment area and an analysis area that makes an analysis on-the-fly (real time or continuously) to determine the chemical nature of the microplastic particles during flow.
- the alignment area allows the flow of the microplastic particles sequentially one behind another.
- the alignment can be a cytometer or a serpentine part.
- the invention relates to a microfluidic chip 1 and a device 2 comprising the microfluidic chip 1, which are used to determine the physical properties and/or the chemical nature of at least the microplastic particles 3 suspended in a liquid sample 4, whatever their shape.
- the particles 3 may have a size smaller than 200 micrometers each.
- the liquid sample 4 can be pre-concentrated before its passage in the microfluidic chip 1. It can be extracted from a drinking water bottle and comprises all the microplastic particles 3 contained in the drinking water bottle. For instance, for 1 mL, it can have tens to thousands of microplastic particles. Advantageously, it is thousands of microplastic particles per mL.
- the microplastic particles 3 can be one of these types of plastics: PMMA, PS, PP, PE, PA, PVC, PTFE, PET, Nylon or others.
- the device 2 comprises:
- the pressure means can be for instance a syringe pump, a peristaltic pump or a vacuum pump.
- Examples of « internal pressure means » can be also, for instance, the capillary suction force, which does not require any apparatus.
- the spectroscopy means are mini or micro spectrometer.
- the imaging means 6 can comprise an external digital camera, which can be a high-speed camera, to capture images of the microplastic particles 3 in the water sample 4 during their flow.
- the device 2 ! a Raman spectroscopy or FTIR spectroscopy analysis on-the-fly (real time or continuously) to determine the chemical nature (plastic composition) of the microplastic particles 3 during flow.
- spectroscopy means 5 and imaging means 6 can be on-chip or mounted on a separate external system.
- spectroscopy means 5 and imaging means 6 can give some data and result graphic 7, as illustrated on figure 2d .
- results can give a chemical or physical property with a spectrum, where the data can be extracted based on further analysis of this kind of graphic.
- calculating means (not shown) linked to spectroscopy means 5 may be configured to count the number of microplastic particles 3 for each different plastic detected.
- the present invention relates also to a measurement system comprising an imaging means 6, a spectrometer 10, the measurement system being a bench top or a miniaturized version for portable integration and the device 2, then, the acquired images and spectra will be analysed either using conventional signal processing or using artificial intelligence software based on machine and deep learning to count, classify and identify the measured microplastics with the help of set of data as a database.
- the microfluidic chip 1 can be fabricated on a silicon-substrate, and top-sealed with a glass-substrate, or a PDMS patch, or any other optically transparent material in the visible or infrared ranges.
- the microfluidic chip 1 can be replaced by a simpler cartridge designed as a simple reservoir 27 of small surface area for the purpose of facilitating the analysis using the spectroscopy means 5 and imaging means 6.
- the cartridge can be fabricated either using the microfluidic technologies or using other conventional technologies and corresponding materials used for the fabrication of water filters, which includes plastic materials for instance.
- the microfluidic chip 1 can be fabricated entirely using PDMS.
- Microfluidic chip 1 with the alignment area 11 and the analysis area 12
- the microfluidic chip 1 comprises, in a first microfluidic channel 13, an alignment area 11, and an analysis area 12 downstream the alignment area 11.
- the alignment area 11 and the analysis area 12 may be configured as follows:
- the microfluidic chip 1 is implemented in a two-dimensional implementation manner where the focusing fluid 17 only surrounds the water sample 4 from the first microfluidic channel 13 sidewalls.
- the microfluidic chip 1 is implemented in a three-dimensional implementation manner where the focusing fluid 17 encapsulates the water sample 4 from all sides in the first microfluidic channel 13.
- Water flow rates can be in the order of microliters per minute (can reach milliliters per minute). Particles can range from a few units to tens of thousands of units per sample. Advantageously, there are thousands of microplastic particles per sample. Each particle can be presented for imaging or spectroscopic analysis during flow for a duration in the order of milliseconds.
- the water sample comes from one liter of common water, the microplastic particles contained in the liter can be concentrated into a few milliliters to insert it into the chip.
- the alignment area 11 can be a microflow cytometer.
- the microfluidic chip 1 is structured to push the focusing fluid 17 with water sample 4 into the first microfluidic channel 13 being configured so that microplastic particles 3 flow at the analysis area 12 until an output 19.
- the microfluidic chip 1 can be configured so that each microplastic particle 3 is imaged individually as it passes through the analysis area 12 or can be configured so that multiple microplastic particles 3 are imaged simultaneously as they pass through the analysis area 12.
- the alignment area 11 comprises a serpentine part, to align the flow of single microplastic particle 3, flowing sequentially one behind another.
- the analysis area 12 can comprise an objective lens for optical spectroscopic analysis, a high-speed camera, or other particle analysis instruments.
- the microfluidic chip 1 as represented on figure 2a , comprises:
- Water flow rates can be in the order of microliters per minute (can reach milliliters per minute). Particles can range from a few units to tens of thousands per sample. Sorting of particles is continuous as the water sample flows.
- the microfluidic chip may comprise a sorter 20 with:
- the stop area presents a surface inferior to 10 mm 2 , advantageously inferior to 1 mm 2 , advantageously inferior to 0.1 mm 2 , advantageously, inferior to 0.05 mm 2 , advantageously inferior to 0.01 mm 2 [so as to concentrate the microplastic particles on a small surface for their analysis].
- the evacuation area 32 lets water flow without microplastic particles 3 until the output 19.
- the sorting chamber comprises series of filters 23 to trap the microplastic particles 3 already sorted, with different stop areas 24, so as to accumulate the sorted microplastic particles 3 in the microfluidic chip 1 according to their size.
- the sorter 20 comprises a sorting chamber 21 and an evacuation area 32.
- the sorting chamber 21 comprises a separation area 22 and the filters 23 situated upstream the evacuation area 32.
- the separation area 22 comprises patterns engraved and stop areas 24 created by the filters 23.
- the filters 23 can comprise two patterns: first patterns situated downstream the separation area 22, the presentation area 22 having second patterns, second patterns having a gap superior to the gap of the first patterns, which can be in the order of few micrometers or tens of micrometers, for instance.
- the gap determines the spatial distance between two elements engraved 25 on chip of the same patterns or filters 23.
- the filters 23 comprise several elements engraved 25 on chip allowing the trapping of the microplastic particles 3 with different sizes according to the distance between two elements engraved 25 on chip.
- the filters 23 can be on the separation area 22 and reservoirs 27.
- the separation area 22 is an area for sorting the microplastic particles 3 which enter, the separation area 22 can be formed by an array of elements engraved 25 on chip, the distance between two elements engraved 25 on chip for the separation area 22 being superior to the distance between two elements engraved 25 for the filters 23 on reservoirs 27.
- the sorting chamber 21 comprises a filter 23, as represented on figure 2a , or a series of filters 23, as illustrated on figure 11 .
- the filters 23 with the first patterns can stop the microplastic particles 3 thanks to elements engraved 25 on-chip as represented on figure 7b , to let the water sample 4 exit without microplastic particles 3.
- These patterns can have a period ranging from a fraction of a micron to tens of microns, with one row or more of elements.
- the density can be in the range of tens to thousands of elements per 1 mm.
- the filters 23 with the second patterns can stop parts of microplastic particles 3 according to their size and can let small particles 26 pass according to the periodicity/density of elements engraved 25 on chip.
- the second patterns can create a stop area 24 for particles according to their size. These patterns have a lower density than the elements engraved 25 on-chip, where in this case they will be trapping bigger particles.
- the gap of the patterns of the sorting section depends on the target particle size. For our application this gap can range from 25 to 250 micrometers.
- the trapped microplastic particles 3 can be contained in different reservoirs 27 depending on the size of microplastic particles 3, as illustrated on figures 2b and 2c .
- the first and/or second patterns can consist of an array, a line or elements engraved 25 and disposed according to a pattern of a line or array on-chip, as illustrated on figure 8d .
- each filter 23 may be spatially shifted with respect to the adjacent filters 23, to enable optical spectroscopic analysis of the trapped microplastic particles 3, without having an interfering optical signal from adjacent filters 23.
- the first and/or second patterns which trap the microplastic particles 3 can be chosen among the list: pillar-type, weir-type filter or cross-flow filters with obstacles of different shapes like circles, cylinders, squares, or rectangles.
- Each reservoir 27 can have an output 19 after the filters 23, or each reservoir 27 can be connected to the same output 19.
- An evacuation area 32 can be situated downstream each filter 23.
- the first microfluidic channel 13 delivering the water sample 4 can be a single channel, a bifurcated-tree input as shown on figure 9a , or other inputs.
- the sorting chamber 21 may comprise several reservoirs 27 with walls engraved 27a on the microfluidic chip 1 to guide the microplastic particles 3, each reservoir 27 having a filter 23 enabling the trapping and accumulation of the microplastic particles 3 on-chip, according to their size.
- a possible structure of the sorter 20 can have only two reservoirs 27, one with a rotation for small particles 26 and the other one for big particles 28, as illustrated on figure 9b .
- Each reservoir 27 can have a filter 23, which comprises the first patterns (i.e. with a high periodicity of elements engraved 25 on chip) and an output 19 to let the water sample 4 flow without microplastic particles 3.
- the filters 23 in reservoirs 27 can be arranged differently.
- a possible architecture has N lines (N being a number chosen by the builder) with walls 27a to form reservoirs 27 in the direction of the flow, a first reservoir 27 having a filter 23 on the first line, a second reservoir 27 has a filter 23 on the second line and so on until N lines, the filter 23 being arranged at different axial positions in regard to the flow in each reservoir 27.
- a periodicity of several filters 23 at different axial positions can be realized. As shown figure 12a , one periodicity is realized with two different filters 23 which are in two lines and so on each set of two lines. As shown figure 13 , one periodicity is realized with three different filters 23 which are in three lines and so on each set of three lines.
- a possible architecture for the filters 23 in the sorter 20 can be a succession of steps like a staircase, the filters 23 being offset axially and laterally one after the other, a filter 23 in a first reservoir 27 is lower laterally and further axially than the next filter in a second reservoir and so on, as represented on figure 12b .
- the microfluidic chip 1 can have a structure such that the separation area 22 sorting the microplastic particles 3 by size, is connected fluidically upstream to several microfluidic channels 13 in parallel, each parallel microfluidic channel 13 being connected upstream to reservoirs 27 which each comprise a filter 23 to trap microplastic particles 3 and let the water sample 4 flow without microplastic particles 3, as illustrated on figure 4 .
- Each parallel microfluidic channel 13 comprises an alignment area 11 and an analysis area 12.
- the microfluidic chip 1 can comprise a passive sorter 20 using technique to separate microplastic particles 3 spatially on-chip in the separation area 22, chosen among the list:
- the microfluidic chip 1 comprises an active sorter 20 using the same techniques mentioned below to separate microplastic particles 3 spatially on-chip in the separation area 22 chosen coupled with electrical / electromagnetic means to separate the microplastic particles 3.
- the microfluidic chip 1 can be configured to comprise a second microfluidic channel 29 of a pinching fluid 30 which is connected to the first microfluidic channel 13 in front of the sorting chamber 21, the pinching fluid 30 flow F4 being opposite to the water sample 4 flow F3 (which can be F1+F2) in the first microfluidic channel 13 to sort the microplastic particles 3 in the sorting chamber 21.
- the pinching fluid 30 is delivered by an input pinching fluid 31.
- the microfluidic chip 1 can comprise an intermediary chamber between the first microfluidic channel 13 and the sorter 20 on-chip to regulate the flow rate of the water sample 4, the focusing fluid 17 and other fluids if needed for sorting the microplastic particles 3.
- the flow rate of the focusing fluid is higher than the sample fluid.
- the ratio between the focusing flow rate and sample flow rate is greater than 1. For instance, a typical value for the ratio is 5.
- the microfluidic chip can comprise a single filter 23 connected fluidically to the first microfluidic channel 13 to trap and accumulate all microplastic particles on a stop area within the microfluidic chip no matter their size, with no need of a sorter 20 neither a sorting chamber 21 nor a separation area 22.
- Microfluidic chip 1 which combines the sorter 20, the alignment area 11 and the analysis area 12
- the microfluidic chip 1 comprises the sorter 20 on the one hand, the alignment area 11, and the analysis area 12 on the other hand.
- the microfluidic chip 1 can have different structures depending on the combination of these three components: the sorter 20, the alignment area 11 and the analysis area 12.
- the three components can be disposed in any order relative to each other, i.e.:
- the analysis area 12 comprise spectroscopy means 5 to determinate the chemical nature of the microplastic particles and can allow to measure this chemical nature on-the-fly and in real time.
- the chip can be used without the analysis area.
- the reservoirs 27 can be transported with the microplastic particles 3 and then analysed.
- microfluidic channel 13 Between the sorter 20 and the alignment area 11.
- the alignment area 11 can comprise a serpentine part or a microflow cytometer.
- the microfluidic chip 1 can comprise:
- the microfluidic chip 1 can comprise an intermediary chamber between the first component and the second component to regulate the flow rate of the water sample 4 and other fluid which can be used, between the two first components which are the alignment area 11 and the sorter 20.
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Abstract
Description
- The invention relates to a device for the determination of the physical properties and chemical nature of the microplastic particles suspended in a liquid sample.
- Research on microplastics and threats that they can represent for ecosystems and humans, are only just beginning.
- There are still many uncertainties related to the low number of studies on microplastics present in the nature with a size of 10-50 microns or less, representing the detection limit of the most commonly used analytical equipment. Some experimental studies have revealed increasing concentrations of increasingly smaller microplastics. In addition, the toxicity of microplastics and the relative ease with which the number of particles crossing biological barriers is expected to increase as their size decreases. This raises new concerns about microplastics.
- Detection, identification, and quantification of particulate matter (such as microplastics, in particular) contaminating drinking water is an exhaustive process using the methodologies currently employed in terms of time and cost. Commonly microscopy, or chromatography are used to study microplastics.
- There is a device described in patent
CN110320250 which comprises a flow channel inlet and outlet to let water samples circulate, and a capacitive sensor which is designed based on a microfluidic chip and able to count and detect micro-plastic particles. However, this device is not adapted to analyze the composition of microplastic particles, and its size adds a space problem, by extend a cost problem. - The integration of several techniques on-chip to achieve high-throughput analysis of drinking water (regarding particle counts, shapes, sizes, and chemical nature) has not been reported. The invention does precise analysis of the particle physical properties, or it determines the chemical nature of the particles. Moreover, the invention allows automation, thus makes it cheap and its speed is optimized.
- Here, the invention presents a microfluidic chip used to determine the physical properties and/or the chemical nature of at least the microplastic particles suspended in a liquid sample, so as to distinguish the microplastic particles therein, the microplastic particles having a size smaller than 200 micrometers,
the microfluidic chip comprising: - a first microfluidic channel in which the microplastic particles flow,
- at least one filter allowing the trapping of the microplastic particles in the flow to accumulate the microplastic particles in at least one stop area on the filter,
the filter being formed by patterns engraved on the microfluidic chip, - at least one output downstream the filter, to exit the liquid sample without the microplastic particles from the microfluidic chip.
- Advantageously, the stop area presents a surface inferior to 10 mm2, advantageously inferior to 1 mm2, advantageously inferior to 0.1 mm2 [so as to concentrate the microplastic particles on a small surface for their analysis].
- Advantageously, the stop area presents a surface inferior to 0.5 mm2.
- Advantageously, the microfluidic chip comprises a sorter with:
- a sorting chamber which comprises the filter and is connected fluidically to the first microfluidic channel with a separation area upstream the filter, so as to allow the separation of the microplastic particles before their trapping in the filter,
- the filter comprises first patterns engraved on-chip
- the separation area comprises second patterns engraved on-chip, second patterns having a gap superior to the gap of the first patterns,
the first gap being inferior to the size of the microplastic particles to filter, and - an evacuation area situated downstream the filter and connected to the output.
- Advantageously, the sorting chamber comprises series of filters to trap the microplastic particles already sorted, with different stop areas, so as to accumulate the sorted microplastic particles in the microfluidic chip according to their size.
- Advantageously, each filter is spatially shifted with respect to each adjacent filter in the direction of the flow.
- Advantageously, the filters comprise patterns, these patterns consisting of an array, or a line of elements engraved on-chip. First patterns situated downstream the separation area which comprises second patterns, second patterns having a gap superior to the gap of the first patterns.
- Advantageously, the microfluidic chip comprises the association of the alignment area and an analysis area that makes an analysis on-the-fly (real time or continuously) to determine the chemical nature of the microplastic particles during flow.
- The alignment area allows the flow of the microplastic particles sequentially one behind another. The alignment can be a cytometer or a serpentine part.
- Other advantages and characteristics of the disclosed devices and methods will become apparent from reading the description, illustrated by the following figures, where:
-
Figure 1a represents a top view of a first embodiment of the microfluidic chip according to the invention, where the microfluidic chip comprises an input of the fluid water sample with microplastic particles, and a technical arrangement of channels with a first microfluidic channel having an alignment area upstream to an analysis area. -
Figure 1b represents a cross section A-A of the first microfluidic channel with a two-dimensional implementation, wherein the technical arrangement of channels realizing a part of cytometer with a focusing fluid that surrounds the water sample with microplastic particles from the sidewalls only, so as to align the microplastic particles with each other along the flow path. -
Figure 1c represents a cross section A-A of the first microfluidic channel with a three-dimensional implementation, wherein the technical arrangement of channels realizing a part of cytometer with a focusing fluid that encapsulates the water sample from all sides so as to align the microplastic particles with each other along the flow path. -
Figure 2a represents a top view of a second embodiment of the microfluidic chip according to the invention, with a structure of a sorter chip according to the invention, comprising a separation area for sorting microplastic particles which are present in the water. -
Figure 2b is a microscope image showing a filter array and a reservoir housing with trapped microplastic particles close to 10µm in size. -
Figure 2c is a microscope image showing a filter array and a reservoir housing with trapped microplastic particles close to 80µm in size. -
Figure 2d represents an example of a result graphic obtained with the use of the spectroscopy applied on the microplastic particles trapped in the reservoirs. -
Figure 3a represents a third embodiment of the invention which combines on the microfluidic chip, the first embodiment and the second embodiment such that an alignment area and an analysis area fluidically connected upstream to a sorter. -
Figure 3b represents a cross section of the first microfluidic channel system with an objective to make spectroscopic analyses for microplastic particles in water. -
Figure 4 represents a top view of a variant of the third embodiment of the invention representing another possible structure of the invention, which combines on the microfluidic chip such that a sorter fluidically connected downstream to several channels which allows to align the microplastic particles and to analyse them, the channels are fluidically connected downstream to reservoirs. -
Figure 5a represents a high-speed camera above a section of a microfluidic channel among the several channels of thefigure 4 , corresponding to the analysis area. -
Figure 5b represents an enlarged view of a microfluidic channel among the several channels of thefigure 4 , corresponding to the analysis area. -
Figure 6a represents an objective lens for optical spectroscopic analysis above a section of a microfluidic channel among the several channels of thefigure 4 , corresponding to the analysis area. -
Figure 6b represents an enlarged view of a measure microfluidic channel among the several channels of thefigure 4 , corresponding to the analysis area with a laser beam. -
Figure 7a represents a top view of a possible structure of a sorter chip, according to a variant of the second embodiment of the invention, comprising a separation area for sorting the microplastic particles with a pinching fluid which flows in the opposite direction to the direction of the flow of water sample with microplastic particles. -
Figure 7b represents an enlarged view of microplastic particles stopped by the filter in a reservoir. -
Figure 8a represents a Deterministic Lateral Displacement chip design, to separate the microplastic particles, before the trapping in the filters. -
Figure 8b represents an enlarged view of an array of elements engraved on chip sorting microplastic particles. -
Figure 8c represents a trajectory of a large and a small particle in an array of elements engraved on chip. -
Figure 8d represents an enlarged view of small and large microplastic particles trapped in reservoirs and stopped by filters. -
Figure 9a is a microscope image showing a bifurcated-tree water input linked to an array of elements engraved on chip, to separate the microplastic particles, before the trapping in the filters. Thefigure 9a represents the entrance or beginning of the sorter. -
Figure 9b is a microscope image showing an array of elements engraved on microfluidic chip to separate the microplastic particles, connected fluidically downstream to filters which are connected fluidically downstream to fluid output. Thefigure 9b is the end of the sorter -
Figure 10 represents a Field Flow Fractionation chip design. -
Figure 11 represents a top view of a microfluidic chip, the microfluidic chip is comprises several lines of elements engraved on chip which allow the sorting and the filters of microplastic particles which are stopped in front of the filters. -
Figure 12a represents an architecture for filters present in reservoirs formed by the channels. -
Figure 12b represents another architecture for filters present in reservoirs formed by the channels. -
Figure 13 represents a microscope image on a downstream part of a chip, with filters present in reservoirs and an output for water without microplastic particles -
Figure 14a represents a pillar-type filter in a separation area, the microplastic particles being stopped by the pillars. -
Figure 14b represents a cross-flow sorter in a separation area, the microplastic particles being not stopped here. -
Figure 14c represents a weir-type filter in a separation area, the microplastic particles being stopped by the weir-type filter. -
Figure 15a represents a Raman spectrum of standard PS particles trapped on-chip with the characteristic bands of standard PS. -
Figure 15b represents a Raman spectrum of standard PMMA particles trapped on-chip with the characteristic bands of standard PMMA. -
Figure 16 represents a Raman spectrum with theoretical Raman peak positions of the different materials. -
Figure 17 represents a measurement system with a microscope, a spectrometer, and a microfluidic chip. - The invention relates to a
microfluidic chip 1 and adevice 2 comprising themicrofluidic chip 1, which are used to determine the physical properties and/or the chemical nature of at least themicroplastic particles 3 suspended in aliquid sample 4, whatever their shape. In the invention, theparticles 3 may have a size smaller than 200 micrometers each. - Advantageously, but not in limited way, the
liquid sample 4 can be pre-concentrated before its passage in themicrofluidic chip 1. It can be extracted from a drinking water bottle and comprises all themicroplastic particles 3 contained in the drinking water bottle. For instance, for 1 mL, it can have tens to thousands of microplastic particles. Advantageously, it is thousands of microplastic particles per mL. - For instance, the
microplastic particles 3 can be one of these types of plastics: PMMA, PS, PP, PE, PA, PVC, PTFE, PET, Nylon or others. - The
device 2 comprises: - pressure means (not shown), either internal or external, for displacing water in the
microfluidic chip 1, - spectroscopy means 5 for determining the chemical nature and quantities of the microplastic particles, and/or imaging means 6 in order for determining the physical nature and quantities of the
microplastic particles 3. - The pressure means can be for instance a syringe pump, a peristaltic pump or a vacuum pump. Examples of « internal pressure means » can be also, for instance, the capillary suction force, which does not require any apparatus.
- Advantageously, the spectroscopy means are mini or micro spectrometer.
- Advantageously, as represented on
figures 5a and 5b , the imaging means 6 can comprise an external digital camera, which can be a high-speed camera, to capture images of themicroplastic particles 3 in thewater sample 4 during their flow. - Advantageously, as illustrated on
figures 6a and 6b , thedevice 2 ! a Raman spectroscopy or FTIR spectroscopy analysis on-the-fly (real time or continuously) to determine the chemical nature (plastic composition) of themicroplastic particles 3 during flow. - These spectroscopy means 5 and imaging means 6 can be on-chip or mounted on a separate external system.
- These spectroscopy means 5 and imaging means 6 can give some data and result graphic 7, as illustrated on
figure 2d . As illustrated onfigures 15a and 15b , these results can give a chemical or physical property with a spectrum, where the data can be extracted based on further analysis of this kind of graphic. - Advantageously, calculating means (not shown) linked to spectroscopy means 5 may be configured to count the number of
microplastic particles 3 for each different plastic detected. - As illustrated on
figure 17 , the present invention relates also to a measurement system comprising an imaging means 6, aspectrometer 10, the measurement system being a bench top or a miniaturized version for portable integration and thedevice 2, then, the acquired images and spectra will be analysed either using conventional signal processing or using artificial intelligence software based on machine and deep learning to count, classify and identify the measured microplastics with the help of set of data as a database. - The
microfluidic chip 1 can be fabricated on a silicon-substrate, and top-sealed with a glass-substrate, or a PDMS patch, or any other optically transparent material in the visible or infrared ranges. For degraded mode operation, themicrofluidic chip 1 can be replaced by a simpler cartridge designed as asimple reservoir 27 of small surface area for the purpose of facilitating the analysis using the spectroscopy means 5 and imaging means 6. In that case, the cartridge can be fabricated either using the microfluidic technologies or using other conventional technologies and corresponding materials used for the fabrication of water filters, which includes plastic materials for instance. - For instance, the
microfluidic chip 1 can be fabricated entirely using PDMS. - As represented on
figure 1a , in a first variant of the first embodiment of the invention, themicrofluidic chip 1 comprises, in a firstmicrofluidic channel 13, analignment area 11, and ananalysis area 12 downstream thealignment area 11. - The
alignment area 11 and theanalysis area 12 may be configured as follows: - (i) A first section with:
- an
input 14 for thewater sample 4, delivering a water with a high concentration ofmicroplastic particles 3, which flows according to arrows F2 in anentrance channel 15, - and an
input 16 for a focusingfluid 17, which flows according to arrows F1, delivering for instance an ultrapure water, in two focusingchannels 18 which surrounds theentrance channel 15, - the
entrance channel 15 and the two focusingchannels 18 both being connected fluidically to a second section,
- an
- (ii) The second section, which is the first
microfluidic channel 13 enabling the flow of singlemicroplastic particles 3, flowing sequentially one behind another and where the focusingfluid 17 surrounds thewater sample fluid 4, the width of thewater sample 4 being adjustable by changing the flow rates of the focusingfluid 16 andwater sample fluid 4, - (iii) A third section, which is the
analysis area 12, for implementing spectroscopy means 5 and imaging means 6, in order to determinate on-the-fly and in real time during the flow: the chemical nature of themicroplastic particles 3, and/or their number, size, color and shape, respectively. - In a first example, as illustrated on
figure 1b , themicrofluidic chip 1 is implemented in a two-dimensional implementation manner where the focusingfluid 17 only surrounds thewater sample 4 from the firstmicrofluidic channel 13 sidewalls. In a second example, as illustrated onfigure 1c , themicrofluidic chip 1 is implemented in a three-dimensional implementation manner where the focusingfluid 17 encapsulates thewater sample 4 from all sides in the firstmicrofluidic channel 13. - Water flow rates can be in the order of microliters per minute (can reach milliliters per minute). Particles can range from a few units to tens of thousands of units per sample. Advantageously, there are thousands of microplastic particles per sample.
Each particle can be presented for imaging or spectroscopic analysis during flow for a duration in the order of milliseconds. - Advantageously, the water sample comes from one liter of common water, the microplastic particles contained in the liter can be concentrated into a few milliliters to insert it into the chip.
- The
alignment area 11 can be a microflow cytometer. - The
microfluidic chip 1 is structured to push the focusingfluid 17 withwater sample 4 into the firstmicrofluidic channel 13 being configured so thatmicroplastic particles 3 flow at theanalysis area 12 until anoutput 19. Themicrofluidic chip 1 can be configured so that eachmicroplastic particle 3 is imaged individually as it passes through theanalysis area 12 or can be configured so that multiplemicroplastic particles 3 are imaged simultaneously as they pass through theanalysis area 12. - In a second variant of the first embodiment of the invention (not shown), the
alignment area 11 comprises a serpentine part, to align the flow of singlemicroplastic particle 3, flowing sequentially one behind another. - Advantageously, the
analysis area 12 can comprise an objective lens for optical spectroscopic analysis, a high-speed camera, or other particle analysis instruments. - In a second embodiment of the invention, the
microfluidic chip 1, as represented onfigure 2a , comprises: - the first
microfluidic channel 13 in which themicroplastic particles 3 with the water sample flow (as represented by arrow F), - a
sorter 20 connected fluidically to the firstmicrofluidic channel 13 and which comprises a sortingchamber 21 which allows the separation of themicroplastic particles 3 in aseparation area 22, - at least one
filter 23 in the sortingchamber 21 allowing the trapping of themicroplastic particles 3 to accumulate themicroplastic particles 3 indifferent stop areas 24 on thefilter 23 of themicrofluidic chip 1 according to their size,
thefilter 23 being a pattern engraved on themicrofluidic chip 1, - at least one
output 19 connected fluidically to the sortingchamber 21, to exit thewater sample 4 without themicroplastic particles 3. - Water flow rates can be in the order of microliters per minute (can reach milliliters per minute). Particles can range from a few units to tens of thousands per sample. Sorting of particles is continuous as the water sample flows.
- Advantageously, the microfluidic chip may comprise a
sorter 20 with: - a sorting
chamber 21 which comprises thefilter 23 and is connected fluidically to the firstmicrofluidic channel 13 with aseparation area 22 upstream thefilter 23, so as to allow the separation of the microplastic particles before their trapping in thefilter 23, - the
filter 23 comprises first patterns engraved on-chip - the
separation area 22 comprises second patterns engraved on-chip, second patterns having a gap superior to the gap of the first patterns, the first gap being inferior to the size of themicroplastic particles 3 to filter 23, and - an
evacuation area 32 situated downstream thefilter 23 and connected to theoutput 19. - Advantageously, the stop area presents a surface inferior to 10 mm2, advantageously inferior to 1 mm2, advantageously inferior to 0.1 mm2, advantageously, inferior to 0.05 mm2, advantageously inferior to 0.01 mm2 [so as to concentrate the microplastic particles on a small surface for their analysis].
- The
evacuation area 32 lets water flow withoutmicroplastic particles 3 until theoutput 19. - In a particular embodiment, the sorting chamber comprises series of
filters 23 to trap themicroplastic particles 3 already sorted, withdifferent stop areas 24, so as to accumulate the sortedmicroplastic particles 3 in themicrofluidic chip 1 according to their size. - Advantageously, the
sorter 20 comprises a sortingchamber 21 and anevacuation area 32. The sortingchamber 21 comprises aseparation area 22 and thefilters 23 situated upstream theevacuation area 32. Theseparation area 22 comprises patterns engraved and stopareas 24 created by thefilters 23. - The
filters 23 can comprise two patterns: first patterns situated downstream theseparation area 22, thepresentation area 22 having second patterns, second patterns having a gap superior to the gap of the first patterns, which can be in the order of few micrometers or tens of micrometers, for instance. - The gap determines the spatial distance between two elements engraved 25 on chip of the same patterns or filters 23.
- Advantageously, the
filters 23 comprise several elements engraved 25 on chip allowing the trapping of themicroplastic particles 3 with different sizes according to the distance between two elements engraved 25 on chip.
Thefilters 23 can be on theseparation area 22 andreservoirs 27. - The
separation area 22 is an area for sorting themicroplastic particles 3 which enter, theseparation area 22 can be formed by an array of elements engraved 25 on chip, the distance between two elements engraved 25 on chip for theseparation area 22 being superior to the distance between two elements engraved 25 for thefilters 23 onreservoirs 27. - Advantageously, the sorting
chamber 21 comprises afilter 23, as represented onfigure 2a , or a series offilters 23, as illustrated onfigure 11 . - Advantageously, the
filters 23 with the first patterns can stop themicroplastic particles 3 thanks to elements engraved 25 on-chip as represented onfigure 7b , to let thewater sample 4 exit withoutmicroplastic particles 3. These patterns can have a period ranging from a fraction of a micron to tens of microns, with one row or more of elements. For a linear pattern (one row) the density can be in the range of tens to thousands of elements per 1 mm. - Advantageously, the
filters 23 with the second patterns can stop parts ofmicroplastic particles 3 according to their size and can letsmall particles 26 pass according to the periodicity/density of elements engraved 25 on chip. - The second patterns can create a
stop area 24 for particles according to their size. These patterns have a lower density than the elements engraved 25 on-chip, where in this case they will be trapping bigger particles. - The gap of the patterns of the sorting section depends on the target particle size. For our application this gap can range from 25 to 250 micrometers. The trapped
microplastic particles 3 can be contained indifferent reservoirs 27 depending on the size ofmicroplastic particles 3, as illustrated onfigures 2b and 2c . - In one realisation, the first and/or second patterns can consist of an array, a line or elements engraved 25 and disposed according to a pattern of a line or array on-chip, as illustrated on
figure 8d . - Advantageously, each
filter 23 may be spatially shifted with respect to theadjacent filters 23, to enable optical spectroscopic analysis of the trappedmicroplastic particles 3, without having an interfering optical signal fromadjacent filters 23. - The first and/or second patterns which trap the
microplastic particles 3 can be chosen among the list: pillar-type, weir-type filter or cross-flow filters with obstacles of different shapes like circles, cylinders, squares, or rectangles.
Eachreservoir 27 can have anoutput 19 after thefilters 23, or eachreservoir 27 can be connected to thesame output 19. - An
evacuation area 32 can be situated downstream eachfilter 23. - The first
microfluidic channel 13 delivering thewater sample 4 can be a single channel, a bifurcated-tree input as shown onfigure 9a , or other inputs. - Advantageously, the sorting
chamber 21 may compriseseveral reservoirs 27 with walls engraved 27a on themicrofluidic chip 1 to guide themicroplastic particles 3, eachreservoir 27 having afilter 23 enabling the trapping and accumulation of themicroplastic particles 3 on-chip, according to their size.
A possible structure of thesorter 20 can have only tworeservoirs 27, one with a rotation forsmall particles 26 and the other one forbig particles 28, as illustrated onfigure 9b . Eachreservoir 27 can have afilter 23, which comprises the first patterns (i.e. with a high periodicity of elements engraved 25 on chip) and anoutput 19 to let thewater sample 4 flow withoutmicroplastic particles 3. - The
filters 23 inreservoirs 27 can be arranged differently. For instance, a possible architecture has N lines (N being a number chosen by the builder) withwalls 27a to formreservoirs 27 in the direction of the flow, afirst reservoir 27 having afilter 23 on the first line, asecond reservoir 27 has afilter 23 on the second line and so on until N lines, thefilter 23 being arranged at different axial positions in regard to the flow in eachreservoir 27.
A periodicity ofseveral filters 23 at different axial positions can be realized. As shownfigure 12a , one periodicity is realized with twodifferent filters 23 which are in two lines and so on each set of two lines.
As shownfigure 13 , one periodicity is realized with threedifferent filters 23 which are in three lines and so on each set of three lines. - A possible architecture for the
filters 23 in thesorter 20 can be a succession of steps like a staircase, thefilters 23 being offset axially and laterally one after the other, afilter 23 in afirst reservoir 27 is lower laterally and further axially than the next filter in a second reservoir and so on, as represented onfigure 12b . - The
microfluidic chip 1 can have a structure such that theseparation area 22 sorting themicroplastic particles 3 by size, is connected fluidically upstream to severalmicrofluidic channels 13 in parallel, each parallelmicrofluidic channel 13 being connected upstream toreservoirs 27 which each comprise afilter 23 to trapmicroplastic particles 3 and let thewater sample 4 flow withoutmicroplastic particles 3, as illustrated onfigure 4 . - Each parallel
microfluidic channel 13 comprises analignment area 11 and ananalysis area 12. - Different designs of the
separation area 22 can be contemplated: - The
separation area 22sorts microplastic particles 3 thanks to a field flow fractionation and pushes it intodifferent filters 23/reservoirs 27; Theanalysis area 12 that can be onfilters 23/reservoirs 27. - The
separation area 22sorts microplastic particles 3 and pushes them into different transport parallelmicrofluidic channel 13 deliveringmicroplastic particles 3 inreservoirs 27; theanalysis area 12 can be on each transport parallelmicrofluidic channel 13 and/or onfilters 23/reservoirs 27. - The
separation area 22 comprises different layer offilter 23, the distance between two elements engraved 25 on the chip is smaller and smaller as the current is flowing. Thebig particles 28 are stopped by the firstbigger filter 23 and so on for the medium andsmall particles 26; thus, the distance between the elements engraved 25 decreases with the size of themicroplastic particles 3 to separate. This structure avoids the use ofreservoirs 27 and uses only filters 23 withstop areas 24 in front of or in the elements engraved 25 of thefilters 23. - The
separation area 22 comprises an array of identical elements engraved 25 like pads on the chip sorting themicroplastic particles 3 according to their size, as illustrated onfigure 8c . - For instance, in a first variant of the
sorter 20, themicrofluidic chip 1 can comprise apassive sorter 20 using technique to separatemicroplastic particles 3 spatially on-chip in theseparation area 22, chosen among the list: - Pinching Flow Fractionation as represented on
figure 7a , - Deterministic Lateral Displacement by patterns engraved on chip as represented on
figure 8a , - Field Flow Fractionation as illustrated on
figure 10 , - Cascaded filtering on-chip as shown on
figure 11 , or - another conventional technique for sorting micro-scale plastic particles.
- In a second variant of the
sorter 20, themicrofluidic chip 1 comprises anactive sorter 20 using the same techniques mentioned below to separatemicroplastic particles 3 spatially on-chip in theseparation area 22 chosen coupled with electrical / electromagnetic means to separate themicroplastic particles 3. - In the pinching flow fractionation, the
microfluidic chip 1 can be configured to comprise a secondmicrofluidic channel 29 of a pinchingfluid 30 which is connected to the firstmicrofluidic channel 13 in front of the sortingchamber 21, the pinchingfluid 30 flow F4 being opposite to thewater sample 4 flow F3 (which can be F1+F2) in the firstmicrofluidic channel 13 to sort themicroplastic particles 3 in the sortingchamber 21. The pinchingfluid 30 is delivered by aninput pinching fluid 31. - Advantageously, in the pinching flow fractionation, the
microfluidic chip 1 can comprise an intermediary chamber between the firstmicrofluidic channel 13 and thesorter 20 on-chip to regulate the flow rate of thewater sample 4, the focusingfluid 17 and other fluids if needed for sorting themicroplastic particles 3. The flow rate of the focusing fluid is higher than the sample fluid. The ratio between the focusing flow rate and sample flow rate is greater than 1. For instance, a typical value for the ratio is 5. - The microfluidic chip can comprise a
single filter 23 connected fluidically to the firstmicrofluidic channel 13 to trap and accumulate all microplastic particles on a stop area within the microfluidic chip no matter their size, with no need of asorter 20 neither a sortingchamber 21 nor aseparation area 22. - In a third embodiment of the invention, the
microfluidic chip 1 comprises thesorter 20 on the one hand, thealignment area 11, and theanalysis area 12 on the other hand. - The
microfluidic chip 1 can have different structures depending on the combination of these three components: thesorter 20, thealignment area 11 and theanalysis area 12. - The three components can be disposed in any order relative to each other, i.e.:
- the
sorter 20 upstream to thealignment area 11; or - the
alignment area 11 upstream to thesorter 20, - the
analysis area 12 within or near thealignment area 11, or within thesorter 20, near thefilters 23. - The
analysis area 12 comprise spectroscopy means 5 to determinate the chemical nature of the microplastic particles and can allow to measure this chemical nature on-the-fly and in real time. - The chip can be used without the analysis area. In this case, the
reservoirs 27 can be transported with themicroplastic particles 3 and then analysed. - There is one or several
microfluidic channel 13, between thesorter 20 and thealignment area 11. - Advantageously, the
alignment area 11 can comprise a serpentine part or a microflow cytometer. - The
microfluidic chip 1 can comprise: - in parallel,
several sorters 20 and several alignment and analysis areas, one alignment area persorter 20, to analyseseveral water samples 4 at the same time (not shown), or - one
sorter 20 andseveral alignment areas 11, as shown onfigure 4 . - Advantageously, the
microfluidic chip 1 can comprise an intermediary chamber between the first component and the second component to regulate the flow rate of thewater sample 4 and other fluid which can be used, between the two first components which are thealignment area 11 and thesorter 20.
Claims (23)
- A microfluidic chip (1) for stopping solid microplastic particles so as to determine the physical properties and/or the chemical nature of the solid microplastic particles (3, 26, 28) suspended in a liquid sample (4), and to differentiate the solid microplastic particles (3, 26, 28) from each other, the microplastic particles (3) having a size smaller than 200 micrometers,
the microfluidic chip comprises:- a first microfluidic channel (13) in which the microplastic particles flow,- at least one filter (23) allowing the trapping of the microplastic particles (3, 26, 28) in the flow to accumulate the microplastic particles (3, 26, 28) in at least one stop area (24) on the filter (23),
the filter (23) being formed by patterns engraved on the microfluidic chip (1),- at least one output (19) downstream the filter (23), to exit the water sample (4) without the microplastic particles (3) from the microfluidic chip (1). - The microfluidic chip (1) of claim 1, wherein the stop area (24) comprises a surface inferior to 10 mm2, advantageously inferior to 1 mm2.
- The microfluidic chip (1) of claim 1, wherein the stop area (24) comprises a surface inferior to 0.5 mm2.
- The microfluidic chip (1) of any of claims 1-3, wherein the microfluidic chip (1) comprises a sorter (20) with:- a sorting chamber (21) which comprises the filter (23) and is connected fluidically to the first microfluidic channel (13) with a separation area (22) upstream the filter (23), so as to allow the separation of the microplastic particles before their trapping in the filter (23),- the filter (23) comprises first patterns engraved on-chip- the separation area (22) comprises second patterns engraved on-chip, second patterns having a gap superior to the gap of the first patterns,
the first gap being inferior to the size of the microplastic particles (3) to filter (23), and- an evacuation area (32) situated downstream the filter (23) and connected to the output (19). - The microfluidic chip (1) of claim 4, wherein the sorting chamber (21) comprises series of filters (23) to trap the microplastic particles (3, 26, 28) already sorted, with different stop areas (24), to accumulate the sorted microplastic particles (3, 26, 28) in the microfluidic chip (1) according to their size.
- The microfluidic chip (1) of any of claims 1-5, wherein each filter (23) is spatially shifted with respect to each adjacent filter (23) in the direction of the flow and the filters have the same evacuation area (32).
- The microfluidic chip (1) of any of claims 4-5, wherein the sorting chamber (21) comprises several reservoirs (27) which comprise, each, walls engraved (27a) on the microfluidic chip (1) to guide the microplastic particles (3, 26, 28) and delimit the stop area (24), each reservoir (27) having a filter (23) and the stop area (24) associated, enabling the trapping and accumulation of the microplastic particles (3, 26, 28) on-chip, according to their size.
- The microfluidic chip (1) of claim 4, wherein the first and/or second patterns consisting of an array, or a line of elements engraved (25) on-chip.
- The microfluidic chip (1) of any of claims 4-8, wherein the first and/or second patterns are chosen among the list: pillar-type or cross-flow with obstacles of different shapes like circles, cylinders, squares or rectangles.
- The microfluidic chip (1) of any of claims 1-9, wherein the microfluidic chip (1) has a structure such that the separation area (22) sorting the microplastic particles (3, 26, 28) by size, is connected fluidically upstream to several microfluidic channels (13), each microfluidic channel (13) being connected to reservoirs (27) which present each a filter (23) to trap microplastic particles (3, 26, 28) and let the water sample flow out (4) without microplastic particles (3, 26, 28).
- The microfluidic chip (1) of claim 10, wherein each microfluidic channel (13) comprises an analysis area (12).
- The microfluidic chip (1) of any of claims 1-11, wherein the microfluidic chip (13) comprises a passive sorter (20) using technique to separate microplastic particles (3, 26, 28) spatially on-chip in the separation area (22) chosen among the list:- Pinching Flow Fractionation,- Deterministic Lateral Displacement by patterns engraved on chip,- Field Flow Fractionation,- Cascaded filtering on-chip, or- another conventional technique for sorting micro-scale particles.
- The microfluidic chip (1) of any of claims 4-12, wherein the microfluidic chip (1) is configured to comprise a second microfluidic channel (29) of a pinching fluid (30) which is connected to the first microfluidic channel (13) in front of the sorting chamber (21), the pinching fluid (30) flow being opposite to the liquid sample (4) flow in the first microfluidic channel (13) to sort the microplastic particles (3, 26, 28) in the sorting chamber (21).
- The microfluidic chip (1) of any of claims 1-13, wherein the microfluidic chip (1) comprises in the first microfluidic channel (13) an alignment area (11) and an analysis area (12) downstream the alignment area (11).
- The microfluidic chip (1) of claim 14, wherein the alignment area (11) and an analysis area (12) downstream the alignment area (11), are configured with:(i) A first section with an input (14) for the liquid sample (4) and an input (16) for a focusing fluid (17) both being connected fluidically to a second section,(ii) The second section, which is the first microfluidic channel (13) enabling the flow of single microplastic particles (3, 26, 28), flowing sequentially one behind another and where the focusing fluid (17) surrounds the liquid sample (4), the width of the liquid sample (4) being adjustable by changing the flow rates of the focusing fluid (17) and liquid sample (4);(iii) A third section, which is the analysis area (12), for implementing spectroscopy means (5) or imaging means (6), in order to determinate in real time during the flow at least the chemical nature of the microplastic particles (3, 26, 28).
- The microfluidic chip (1) of any of claims 14-15, wherein the alignment area (11) comprises a serpentine part.
- The microfluidic chip (1) of any of claims 4-16, wherein the microfluidic chip (1) comprises an intermediary chamber between the first microfluidic channel (13) and the sorter (20) on-chip to regulate the flow rate of the water sample (4), the focusing fluid (17) and other fluids if needed for sorting the microplastic particles (3).
- The microfluidic chip (1) of any of claims 1-17, wherein the microfluidic chip comprises a single filter (23) connected fluidically to the first microfluidic channel (13) to trap and accumulate all microplastic particles on a stop area (24) within the microfluidic chip (1) no matter their size.
- A device (2) for determining the physical properties and/or the chemical nature of solid microplastic particles (3) suspended in a liquid sample (4), the microplastic particles (3) having a size smaller than 200 micrometers, which comprises:• the microfluidic chip (1) of any of claims 1-18,• pressure means for displacing the liquid sample (4) in the first microfluidic channel (13),• spectroscopy means (5) for determining the chemical nature of the microplastic particles, and/or• imaging means (6) for determining the physical nature of the microplastic particles (3), such as the size and the number of the microplastic particles (3).
- The device (2) of claim 19, wherein the spectroscopy means (5) comprise Raman spectroscopy or FTIR spectroscopy analysis to determine the chemical nature of the microplastic particles (3) in real time during flow.
- The device (2) of any of claims 19-20, wherein these spectroscopy means (5) and/or imaging means (6) are on-chip or on a separate external system.
- The device (2) of any of claims 20-21, wherein the Raman spectroscopy or FTIR spectroscopy are configured to detect microplastic particle (3, 26, 28) composed of one of these types of plastics: PMMA, PS, PP, PE, PA, PVC, PTFE, PET, Nylon or others.
- The device (2) of any of claims 20-22, wherein the microfluidic chip (1) is fabricated on a silicon-substrate, and top-sealed with a glass-substrate, or a PDMS patch, or any other optically transparent material in the visible or infrared ranges.
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