MICROPLASTICS IMAGING SYSTEM

SATURNA

STANDARDIZED. COMPREHENSIVE. RAPID.

To understand how microplastics break down and move through the oceans, researchers must be able to more easily quantify a robust set of particle size parameters. Saturna is a portable, standardized image collection system that can be used in the field or back in the lab. 

Saturna works with your smartphone camera and syncs with our web-based analysis data portal to perform physical characterization and quantification of microplastic particles. Use it to image visible microplastic samples (> ~400μm) like those collected from Manta Trawls, Neuston Nets, beach quadrat samples and ingestion studies. Data is available within 24 hours of image upload and can be downloaded in CSV format. Includes a matching indexed particle image that corresponds to the dataset.

FEATURES

• Highly standardized built-in LED lighting system provides consistent lighting for your microplastic sample images 

• Compatible with your smartphone camera  

• Provides next-day physical size, color and categorical data  

• Pattern recognition and sizing algorithms calculate 11 discrete size calculations for every particle 

• Predictive color models calculate repeatable and standardized average color calculations for each particle 

• Machine learning models automatically classify your particles into common categories such as fragments, pellets, lines, films and foams 

• Compare your samples over spatial areas using our online data portal for further insight into sample analysis

• Applicable for classifying microplastics' physical size, colour and categorical characteristics 

SPECIFICATIONS

• After you upload your image from the Imager, we analyze your sample image with a proprietary ODI image analysis software which was developed in-house specifically for microplastics' size analysis, colour mapping and categorical particle predictions 

• Level of classification: an ODI technician analyzes visible microplastic particles (>400µm) for physical characteristics, including 11 size dimensions, 11 colour metrics and a particle category prediction. The data output for each particle include: 

  • Maximum Width (mm) 

  • 2D Surface Area (mm2) 

  • Convex Surface Area (mm2) 

  • Perimeter (mm) 

  • Convex Perimeter (mm) 

  • Bounding Box Width (mm) 

  • Bounding Box Height (mm) 

  • Aspect Ratio 

  • Circularity 

  • Convexity 

  • Solidity 

  • Average HSV Color Value 

  • Average LAB Color Value 

  • Average BGR Color Value 

  • AI Color Prediction and Confidence Interval (Using 15 common color keys) 

  • AI Particle Categorical Prediction and Confidence Interval (fragment, pellet, film, line, foam, etc.)

IMAGER DETAILS

• Use to image visible particles larger than >0.4mm in size

• Integrated ~4500k natural white LED system and shroud provide highly standardized microplastics images with consistent lighting for comparative analysis 

• Includes calibration discs to provide highly accurate particle sizing 

• USB rechargeable 2200mAH battery provides ~3 hours of sample imaging time 

• Optional waterproof hard case for easy transport into the field (26cm x 20cm x 12cm) 

• Access to the Data Portal via user smartphone web application 

DATA PORTAL DETAILS

• A web-based application for smartphones and computers designed to bridge the Imager and standardized microplastics physical analysis services  

• Microplastic sample images collected with the Imager are uploaded for accurate processing and online physical data retrieval 

• Sample images are saved to our cloud-based portal and can be securely accessed from anywhere, anytime

• Access from any computer or smartphone with an internet connection using the Chrome or Safari web browsers

• Currently in development: data visualization, data analysis and other analytical features which will overlay with Imager-generated data