The world is facing an unprecedented crisis due to the proliferation of nanoplastics and microplastics in our environment. These tiny particles, often overlooked, pose significant health and environmental risks. However, detecting them at the nanoscale has been a daunting challenge. That’s why a team of researchers from McGill University has developed a groundbreaking technology that makes it possible to detect these plastic particles efficiently and accurately.

The HoLDI-MS (Hollow-Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry) test platform is a 3D-printed device that overcomes the limitations of traditional mass spectrometry. This innovative tool allows for direct analysis of samples without requiring complex sample preparation, making it a cost-effective and high-throughput solution.

“We’re excited to provide a method that is effective, quantitative, highly accurate, and affordable,” said Professor Parisa Ariya, who led the study published in Nature’s Communications Chemistry. “It requires little energy, is recyclable, and costs only a few dollars per sample.”

The HoLDI-MS platform has significant implications for international cooperation in combating plastic pollution. As part of their study, the researchers identified polyethylene and polydimethylsiloxanes in indoor air, as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in outdoor air.

“This technology allows us to pinpoint the major sources of nano and microplastics in the environment,” said Professor Ariya. “More importantly, it enables data comparison and validation across laboratories worldwide, a crucial step toward harmonizing global research on plastic pollution.”

The development of HoLDI-MS is a testament to the power of interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation. Funded by organizations such as the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI), and National Research Council Canada (NRC), this technology has the potential to revolutionize the way we detect and address plastic pollution.

As the world continues to grapple with the consequences of plastic waste, the HoLDI-MS platform offers a beacon of hope. By providing a cost-effective and efficient solution for detecting nanoplastics and microplastics, this technology can help us take a significant step toward mitigating the impact of plastic pollution on our environment.

The quest to understand the fundamental nature of matter, energy, space, and time has led physicists to create powerful particle accelerators that collide high-energy particles at incredible speeds. These collisions produce a massive number of subatomic particles per second, making it challenging for researchers to detect and analyze them accurately.

To overcome this challenge, scientists have developed quantum sensors, specifically designed to precisely detect single particles. Researchers from the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab), Caltech, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), and other collaborating institutions have successfully tested these novel high-energy particle detection instruments at Fermilab.

The research team, led by Maria Spiropulu, used superconducting microwire single-photon detectors (SMSPDs) to detect charged particles for the first time. These sensors can precisely track particles in both space and time, achieving better spatial and time resolution simultaneously.

According to Si Xie, a scientist at Fermilab, “This is just the beginning. We have the potential to detect particles lower in mass than we could before as well as exotic particles like those that may constitute dark matter.” The quantum sensors used in this study are similar to superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs), which have applications in quantum networks and astronomy experiments.

The researchers demonstrated that the SMSPD sensors were highly efficient at detecting high-energy beams of protons, electrons, and pions. This breakthrough has significant implications for future particle physics experiments, such as those planned for the Future Circular Collider or a muon collider.

“We are very excited to work on cutting-edge detector R&D like SMSPDs because they may play a vital role in capstone projects in the field,” said Fermilab scientist and Caltech alumnus Cristián Peña. The study, titled “High energy particle detection with large area superconducting microwire array,” was funded by the US Department of Energy, Fermilab, the National Agency for Research and Development (ANID) in Chile, and the Federico Santa María Technical University.

The success of this research has paved the way for further advancements in particle physics experiments, utilizing quantum sensors to optimize next-generation searches for new particles and dark matter.

A new wearable smart insole system has been developed that can monitor how people walk, run, and stand in real-time. This innovative device uses 22 small pressure sensors to track biomechanical processes unique to each individual, similar to a human fingerprint. The data is then transmitted via Bluetooth to a smartphone for quick analysis.

The study, led by Jinghua Li from Ohio State University, aimed to overcome previous limitations of wearable insoles with low energy and unstable performance. Their device features high-resolution spatial sensing, self-powering capability, and the ability to combine with machine learning algorithms. This allows for precise data collection and analysis, as well as consistent and reliable power.

The smart insoles can recognize eight different motion states, including static positions like sitting and standing, to more dynamic movements such as running and squatting. Using advanced machine learning models, the device provides real-time health tracking based on how a person walks or runs.

Researchers estimate that at least 7% of Americans suffer from ambulatory difficulties, which include walking, running, or climbing stairs. The smart insoles have the potential to support gait analysis for early detection and monitoring of conditions such as plantar fasciitis, diabetic foot ulcers, and Parkinson’s disease.

The system is designed to be low-risk and safe for continuous use, with flexible materials that won’t harm the user or affect daily activities. The device uses tiny lithium batteries powered by solar cells, making it energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.

In addition to health tracking, the smart insoles can also support personalized fitness training, real-time posture correction, injury prevention, and rehabilitation monitoring. With its long-term durability and consistent performance, researchers expect this technology to be commercially available within the next three to five years.

As the team continues to advance their work, they aim to improve gesture recognition abilities through further testing on diverse populations. This innovative wearable smart insole has the potential to revolutionize healthcare by providing real-time health tracking and personalized management.