Summer school

Project name

Direct measurement of particle size in liquids

Leader

Prof. RNDr. Dalibor Štys, CSc.

Description of the activities of the project

• Currently, the most commonly used method for particle analysis in liquids is weighing analysis, in which particles are captured on a filter of a given pore size and then dried and weighed. This method is indirect, very time and volume consuming and can lead to large errors in the liquids analysed [1]. The method has a lower particle size detection limit of 20 μm, but acceptable measurement accuracy can only be achieved up to 50 μm. Analysis of particles in liquids by direct observation or in situ is required. Although a light microscopy method providing size and shape distribution of particles in the size range of 1 µm to 1 mm in real time is commercially available [2-5], analysis of some atypical objects (e.g. bubbles) must be performed visually from detected images. The Experimental Complex Systems Laboratory has constructed a flow optical device that is technically similar to the device in [2-5], but with simpler optics. However, the main difference lies in the control and evaluation software, which is able to distinguish bubbles from the rest of the particles.
• The expected outcome of this work will be to advance the development of a flow microscopy device for the analysis of particles in water and other liquids and to determine the feasibility of the device in practice. The scope of work will include (a) collection of microscopic data on selected water samples, (b) communication with software and microscope developers, and (c) interpretation of results.
1. Pfeiffer T.J., Osborn A., Davis M. (2008) Particle sieve analysis for determining solids removal efficiency of water treatment components in a recirculating aquaculture system. Aquac. Eng. 39, 24-29.
2. Chen Y.T., Wang Q., Xue J.Z., Yang Y.F., Wu H.X. (2023) Applicability of flow imaging microscopy (FlowCAM) as ballast water investigation tool. Reg. Stud. Mar. Sci. 60, Article No. 102821
3. Chen Y.T., Wang Q., Xue J.Z., Yang Y.F., Wu H.X. (2023) Ballast water management systems (BWMS) type approval: A new application for flow imaging microscopy (FlowCAM). Reg. Stud. Mar. Sci. 65, Article No. 103060
4. Romero-Martínez L., van Slooten C., Nebot E., Acevedo-Merino A., Peperzak, L. (2017) Assessment of imaging-in-flow system (FlowCAM) for systematic ballast water management. Sci. Total Environ. 603, 550-561
5. Kim S., Hyeon Y., Park C. (2023) Microplastics’ shape and morphology analysis in the presence of natural organic matter using flow imaging microscopy. Molecules 28(19), Article No. 6913

Students

• Number of students - 1 - 2
• high school students students - NO
• university students - YES
• Prepositions (what should the students know): basics of programing