FIMAP: Making Microplastic Monitoring More Accessible

The problem: We can't monitor what we can't measure

 

Microplastics are found in our waterways, soils, sediments, and living organisms. Yet understanding how they move through the environment requires more than occasional sampling. We need monitoring that is faster, more accessible, and scalable across locations and over time.

 

Many established analytical approaches, including micro-FTIR and Raman spectroscopy, provide valuable information about particle identity but can require specialized instruments, trained analysts, extensive sample preparation, and substantial time and resources. These demands make frequent, large-scale monitoring challenging.

 

What if we could make microplastic detection more accessible without losing scientific rigor?

 

To understand microplastic pollution at scale, we need tools that are:

  1. Fast and scalable: Process more samples and support repeated monitoring.
  2. Accessible: Reduce barriers to participation beyond specialized laboratories.
  3. Selective: Distinguish suspected plastics from natural materials and other particles.
  4. Scientifically rigorous: Maintain transparent methods, quality assurance, quality control (QA/QC), and appropriate validation.
  5. Community-powered: Enable trained volunteers, educators, and local organizations to contribute meaningful environmental data.

 

This is the vision behind FIMAP.

 

Meet FIMAP

FIMAP, the Fluorescence Imaging for Microplastic Analysis Platform, is a fluorescence-based imaging system developed to make microplastic detection and analysis more accessible.

 

By combining fluorescence imaging, multiple illumination wavelengths, optical filters, and image analysis, FIMAP helps researchers visualize and analyze suspected microplastics across large sample areas.

 

Developed through research involving the University of Pennsylvania and the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, FIMAP is supported by peer-reviewed research on particle detection, fluorescence imaging, and polymer classification.

 

Our approach is not to replace established analytical methods, but to advance a practical, scalable approach to screening and monitoring, with further validation needed for different sample types and applications.

What have we demonstrated?

 

 

A large field of view

Our current system captures images across a field of view of approximately 90 mm, helping us examine larger sample areas efficiently.

 

Detection of small particles

The current workflow has demonstrated detection of particles down to approximately 25 micrometers under tested conditions. This provides a foundation for environmental monitoring while highlighting the need for further improvements in sensitivity.

 

 

Potential for polymer classification

In published laboratory testing, FIMAP distinguished fluorescence patterns associated with 10 common polymer types. Classification performance depends on particle size and sample conditions, so further work is needed to improve identification in complex environmental samples.

 

 

Testing across real-world matrices

We have explored FIMAP across water, soil, biosolids, and bird organ samples, demonstrating its potential to support investigations across diverse environmental settings.

Community science in practice

 

FIMAP has also been used by trained community science volunteers, helping us explore how accessible imaging tools can bring environmental monitoring beyond the traditional laboratory.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From laboratory research to environmental monitoring

FIMAP is being developed with real environmental questions in mind.

  • Cobbs Creek: Investigating spatial variation in microplastic pollution.
  • Schuylkill River: Exploring temporal variation through repeated sampling.
  • Soils and bird organs: Extending investigations beyond water to other environmental matrices.

 

Our community partners include Fairmount Water Works, the Philadelphia Water Department, Bartram's Garden, and PennEnvironment. Together, community engagement and scientific research can help build a more comprehensive picture of plastic pollution across Philadelphia.

What's next for FIMAP?

We are working toward the next generation of accessible microplastic monitoring tools.

 

Our priorities include adapting FIMAP to different camera systems, developing portable field-ready configurations, and improving detection capabilities for smaller particles, including potential nanoplastic applications. These advances will require additional development, calibration, and validation.

 

We also want to make it easier for educators, community organizations, and researchers to participate in meaningful monitoring while maintaining robust QA/QC.

Help us take the next step

 

Through our Kickstarter campaign, “What's in Our Water?”, Plastic-Free Pals aims to build and test the next-generation FIMAP prototype, expand community-powered environmental monitoring, and develop educational tools that help more people investigate plastic pollution.

 

We are starting in Philadelphia, but our vision reaches further: a future in which communities everywhere can contribute to understanding the plastics in their environment.

 

We don't just want to tell people that microplastics are everywhere. We want to help them investigate for themselves.