Engineer Develops Microplastics Sensor to Tackle Pollution

IU professor Mark Cheng receives $2.3 million grant to build high-tech device to identify types of microplastics in water

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Mark Cheng, a professor of biomedical engineering and informatics at Indiana University's Luddy School, is leading a team of researchers developing a new sensor technology to detect and classify microplastics in water. The work, funded by a $2.3 million grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, aims to provide critical data on the types and sources of microplastics polluting waterways, which can then inform policy solutions.

Why it matters

Microplastics are a pervasive environmental issue, with an estimated 70% of plastics ending up in landfills and 10-20% breaking down in the environment, where they can persist for decades. These microscopic plastic particles have been found in human blood, organs, and even the brain, posing potential health risks. Cheng's research aims to provide the data needed to better understand and address the microplastics problem.

The details

Cheng's team is developing a device that can rapidly filter and analyze water samples, using computer vision and spectroscopy to classify the size, shape, and chemical composition of any microplastics present. This high-throughput approach allows researchers to gather more comprehensive data on the types of microplastics in different water sources, which can then be used to trace them back to their origins, such as packaging, tires, or agricultural plastics. The researchers have already tested prototypes in waterways in Alabama and South Carolina, and now plan to expand their work to Indiana.

  • In 2024, Cheng's microplastics research received a $2.3 million grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
  • Cheng and his team have conducted early prototype testing in waterways in Alabama, including the Black Warrior River and Mobile Bay, as well as in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

The players

Mark Cheng

A professor of biomedical engineering and informatics at the IU Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering in Indianapolis, and the director of the Advanced Sensing Group at the Convergent Bioscience and Technology Institute.

Xinyu Zhang

An IU Ph.D. student working on Cheng's microplastics research team.

Leixin Ouyang

A postdoctoral researcher on Cheng's microplastics research team.

Ziliang Zhang

A postdoctoral researcher on Cheng's microplastics research team.

Rong Fu

An IU Ph.D. student working on Cheng's microplastics research team.

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What they’re saying

“Microplastics are everywhere, even in the water we drink. But before you can address the problem, you need to understand it. Identifying the exact types of microplastics in water is the first step toward solving the program.”

— Mark Cheng, Professor of biomedical engineering and informatics (Mirage News)

“We use computer vision and vibrational spectroscopy to classify plastic types and build high-throughput inspection systems. We are also developing algorithms to make detection more accurate and efficient.”

— Mark Cheng, Professor of biomedical engineering and informatics (Mirage News)

“I believe that good solutions require good data. Only once we've got the right information can we finally start to solve a problem.”

— Mark Cheng, Professor of biomedical engineering and informatics (Mirage News)

What’s next

Cheng plans to create more connections in Indiana and possibly conduct some local testing on waterways in the state. He also wants to work with medical researchers to explore new research into microplastics in the human body.

The takeaway

Cheng's research on developing a high-tech sensor to detect and classify microplastics in water represents a crucial step in addressing the growing environmental and public health crisis posed by these ubiquitous pollutants. By providing the data needed to identify the sources and types of microplastics, this work can inform targeted policy solutions to reduce plastic waste and mitigate the impacts of microplastics on ecosystems and human health.