Key Innovation
Solving for real-world interferents produced a monitor that outperforms lab instruments.
Ocean Microplastics Monitor
Client
Various
Practice Areas
Core Disciplines
Overview
Triple Ring supported the development of a portable microplastics monitoring system designed to measure plastic particle concentrations in aqueous environmental samples. The system was developed to enable field-based quantification of microplastics and support environmental research initiatives.
The resulting platform integrates particle detection and separation technologies into a miniaturized unit capable of replacing larger laboratory-based instrumentation while maintaining measurement accuracy under real-world conditions.
Challenge
Environmental researchers required a field-deployable system capable of accurately detecting and quantifying microplastics in complex environmental samples. Traditional benchtop instruments were not suitable for field use due to size, cost, and sensitivity to environmental conditions.
The system needed to function reliably in the presence of common interferents such as air bubbles, biological materials, sand, and other particulate matter. Achieving consistent performance under these variable conditions required robust system integration and miniaturization.
Ocean Microplastics Monitor
Overview
Triple Ring supported the development of a portable microplastics monitoring system designed to measure plastic particle concentrations in aqueous environmental samples. The system was developed to enable field-based quantification of microplastics and support environmental research initiatives.
The resulting platform integrates particle detection and separation technologies into a miniaturized unit capable of replacing larger laboratory-based instrumentation while maintaining measurement accuracy under real-world conditions.
Challenge
Environmental researchers required a field-deployable system capable of accurately detecting and quantifying microplastics in complex environmental samples. Traditional benchtop instruments were not suitable for field use due to size, cost, and sensitivity to environmental conditions.
The system needed to function reliably in the presence of common interferents such as air bubbles, biological materials, sand, and other particulate matter. Achieving consistent performance under these variable conditions required robust system integration and miniaturization.
Client
Various
Practice Areas
Core Disciplines
Solution
Triple Ring collaborated with research partners to integrate sensing technologies into a compact and ruggedized platform capable of supporting field-based environmental monitoring. Engineering efforts focused on miniaturizing complex instrumentation while maintaining detection accuracy across diverse environmental samples.
Technical work included:
- Designing miniaturized detection systems that replaced benchtop instrumentation
- Developing algorithms to distinguish plastics from environmental interferents
- Integrating sampling and analysis components into a portable architecture
- Validating system performance under field-relevant conditions
Outcome
Triple Ring delivered a portable microplastics monitoring system capable of operating outside traditional laboratory environments. The system successfully demonstrated reliable particle detection and measurement in real-world environmental conditions.
The field-ready platform enabled successful demonstrations to research partners and funding organizations, supporting ongoing efforts to advance environmental monitoring technologies and improve understanding of microplastic pollution.
Triple Ring Talent
The Story Behind the Innovation
At Triple Ring, we draw on a deep bench of expertise across diverse disciplines matched to each innovation challenge. For this project, our team combined miniaturized sensing system design, particle detection and separation technologies, and ruggedized hardware engineering to develop a portable microplastics monitor capable of replacing laboratory instrumentation in real-world field environments.
Erick and Sheila collaborated with many talented colleagues across Triple Ring on this project.
Erick Blankenberg
Electro-Mechanical Systems Engineering
Erick Blankenberg contributes to the development of electro-mechanical systems with a focus on controls and optimization. His work supports software and hardware integration for imaging and instrumentation technologies, helping teams refine system performance through coordinated design and testing.
Sheila Hemami, PhD
Electrical Engineering & Enviromental Sciences
Dr. Sheila Hemami brings interdisciplinary teams together to develop technologies that address complex environmental and healthcare challenges. Her work focuses on early-stage innovation and cross-sector collaboration, helping transform emerging ideas into solutions that are practical, deployable, and sustainable.
