US 11,867,602 B2
Device, system and method for the detection and screening of plastic microparticles
Wayne H. Knox, Rochester, NY (US); Gregory Madejski, Albion, NY (US); and James Lionel McGrath, Rochester, NY (US)
Assigned to University of Rochester, Rochester, NY (US)
Filed by University of Rochester, Rochester, NY (US)
Filed on Jan. 19, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/579,515.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/140,225, filed on Jan. 21, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0228964 A1, Jul. 21, 2022
Int. Cl. G01N 15/06 (2006.01); B01D 71/02 (2006.01); B01D 61/20 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 15/0612 (2013.01) [B01D 61/20 (2013.01); B01D 71/02 (2013.01); B01D 2311/103 (2013.01); G01N 2015/0681 (2013.01); G01N 2015/0693 (2013.01)] 4 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for the detection and screening of plastic microparticles, the method comprising the steps of:
delivering a sample through a nanoporous silicon nitride membrane;
entrapping on the nanoporous silicon nitride membrane microparticles contained in the sample;
providing an increasing temperature profile to the silicon nitride membrane;
observing a phase change of the entrapped microparticles; and
recording the temperature at which the entrapped microparticles change phase.