Congratulations to WIN members Sushanta Mitra (Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering), Boxin Zhao (Chemical Engineering), and Nasser Mohieddin Abukhdeir (Chemical Engineering) on securing $600,000 in federal funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) to address plastic pollution.
Their research project focuses on developing a made-in-Canada solution for the real-time detection and removal of microplastics, one of today’s most pressing environmental challenges. Drawing inspiration from natural filtration processes, the team is creating an innovative platform that integrates advanced adhesive materials, sensor technologies, and AI-driven analysis. This approach enables rapid, in-field monitoring, significantly reducing the time required compared to conventional laboratory methods.
The platform is designed not only to detect microplastics efficiently but also to help identify pollution sources, supporting more targeted and effective responses. The project will contribute to evidence-based strategies and policies aimed at reducing plastic waste and advancing Canada’s goal of achieving zero plastic waste by 2030.
For the full press release, please check out: Researchers receive federal funding for microplastic detection breakthrough