CoreMiS - Multimodal Correlative Microscopy and Spectroscopy for Advanced Environmental Science Research
Lead Research Organisation:
UK CENTRE FOR ECOLOGY & HYDROLOGY
Department Name: Pollution (Wallingford)
Abstract
Whilst the research community possesses individual tools to visually examine nanoparticles with e.g. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), detect elemental compositions with Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and interrogate chemical structure via Raman Spectroscopy, these have yet to be pulled together to create a much more powerful and dedicated tool for the routine analysis of nanoparticles and nano-scale chemical reactions. Although there are traditional SEM-EDS, it is not able to extract details of the bonding of atoms, which would disclose the chemical nature of the molecules in a sample.
RISE-EDS is a recent achievement in multimodal correlative microscopy and spectroscopy. It is the full integration of a (i) WITec 3D confocal Raman microscope into a (ii) ZEISS field emission Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) that is enabled with an (iii) Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) detector, as one analytical suite.
RISE-EDS has the unique analytical capacity for combined/simultaneous (i) physical characterisation (size/shape), (ii) semi-quantitative multi-elemental (e.g., C, N, P, K, Ti, Cr, Cu, Zn, Pd, Ag, Cd, Hg) quantification and (iii) chemical speciation characterisation (e.g. identification of polymer compounds) of biological/organic and inorganic samples, from a microscopic to a nanoscopic resolution. Samples that ranges from plant roots, soil grains, microbial cells, and nanoparticles can be characterised in their natural (or close to natural) states.
It thus has analytical applications across water science, atmospheric science, soil science, plant science, microbiology and nanotechnology. Its unique analytical capability now allows us to conduct research (across multiple research fields) that has been impossible due to analytical constraints. Some of the major applications are highlighted as follows:
(a)About 15 trillion microplastics (polymers less than 1 micron) are floating in surface waters. As they age, they fragment into sizes below 1 micron, becoming nanoplastics. Nanoplastics are perceived to be more abundant and more harmful than microplastics. But this is yet to be well investigated due to a lack of analytical equipment to chemically identify and quantify 1 to 100 nm-sized plastic particles. RISE-EDS will deliver the analytical capability for accurate nanoplastics quantification in complex matrixes.
(b)The biggest environmental threat to health in the UK is air pollution with up to 36,000 deaths per year. The tool for rapid and routine characterisation of fine nanoparticulate air pollutants is however not available. RISE-EDS will provide a routine but state-of-the-art approach for characterising the morphology, multi-elemental compositions, and molecular speciation of nanoparticulate hazardous material in the air.
(c)To manage the impacts of toxins, assessment of contaminants toxicity to different organisms is required. However, sub-cellular toxicity assessment remains elusive due to analytical constraints. RISE-EDS will provide the high-resolution imaging of sub-cellular compositions that are needed for deciphering the process of contaminant accumulation and toxicity in diverse organisms.
(d)Nanotechnology is the driving force behind a new industrial revolution. It makes materials (e.g cosmetics and pesticides) more durable and more effective. However, there are potential risks. RISE-EDS will assist in how we link nanoformulations to nanotoxicity assessment at the earliest stage of nano product design.
(e)Infectious diseases are becoming harder to treat due to antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) drugs. RISE-EDS will help identify the mechanisms of AMR, through hyper-spectral characterisation of compositional changes in microorganisms.
(f)Nutrient utilisation by crops must be optimised to maximise yield while mitigating greenhouse gases emission and eutrophication. RISE-EDS will help in revealing the biogeochemical processes that govern soil nutrients and carbon dynamics.
RISE-EDS is a recent achievement in multimodal correlative microscopy and spectroscopy. It is the full integration of a (i) WITec 3D confocal Raman microscope into a (ii) ZEISS field emission Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) that is enabled with an (iii) Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) detector, as one analytical suite.
RISE-EDS has the unique analytical capacity for combined/simultaneous (i) physical characterisation (size/shape), (ii) semi-quantitative multi-elemental (e.g., C, N, P, K, Ti, Cr, Cu, Zn, Pd, Ag, Cd, Hg) quantification and (iii) chemical speciation characterisation (e.g. identification of polymer compounds) of biological/organic and inorganic samples, from a microscopic to a nanoscopic resolution. Samples that ranges from plant roots, soil grains, microbial cells, and nanoparticles can be characterised in their natural (or close to natural) states.
It thus has analytical applications across water science, atmospheric science, soil science, plant science, microbiology and nanotechnology. Its unique analytical capability now allows us to conduct research (across multiple research fields) that has been impossible due to analytical constraints. Some of the major applications are highlighted as follows:
(a)About 15 trillion microplastics (polymers less than 1 micron) are floating in surface waters. As they age, they fragment into sizes below 1 micron, becoming nanoplastics. Nanoplastics are perceived to be more abundant and more harmful than microplastics. But this is yet to be well investigated due to a lack of analytical equipment to chemically identify and quantify 1 to 100 nm-sized plastic particles. RISE-EDS will deliver the analytical capability for accurate nanoplastics quantification in complex matrixes.
(b)The biggest environmental threat to health in the UK is air pollution with up to 36,000 deaths per year. The tool for rapid and routine characterisation of fine nanoparticulate air pollutants is however not available. RISE-EDS will provide a routine but state-of-the-art approach for characterising the morphology, multi-elemental compositions, and molecular speciation of nanoparticulate hazardous material in the air.
(c)To manage the impacts of toxins, assessment of contaminants toxicity to different organisms is required. However, sub-cellular toxicity assessment remains elusive due to analytical constraints. RISE-EDS will provide the high-resolution imaging of sub-cellular compositions that are needed for deciphering the process of contaminant accumulation and toxicity in diverse organisms.
(d)Nanotechnology is the driving force behind a new industrial revolution. It makes materials (e.g cosmetics and pesticides) more durable and more effective. However, there are potential risks. RISE-EDS will assist in how we link nanoformulations to nanotoxicity assessment at the earliest stage of nano product design.
(e)Infectious diseases are becoming harder to treat due to antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) drugs. RISE-EDS will help identify the mechanisms of AMR, through hyper-spectral characterisation of compositional changes in microorganisms.
(f)Nutrient utilisation by crops must be optimised to maximise yield while mitigating greenhouse gases emission and eutrophication. RISE-EDS will help in revealing the biogeochemical processes that govern soil nutrients and carbon dynamics.
| Description | Introducing CoreMiS to Academic, Research and Industrial Stakeholders. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | On December 14, 2022, I had the privilege of organising a workshop to introduce CoreMiS to several academic, research, and industrial stakeholders in the UK. The attendees included representatives from the University of Manchester, the British Geological Survey, and the UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR). During the workshop, I presented the features and capabilities of the UK Centre for Multimodal Correlative Microscopy & Spectroscopy (CoreMiS). I highlighted how CoreMiS is dedicated to providing a combined visualisation, compositional, and molecular characterisation of biological and inorganic materials in their natural or near-natural states, at a nanoscopic resolution. Furthermore, I showcased key applications of CoreMiS and demonstrated how it can address specific research needs of the attendees while prioritising the development of analytical approaches across diverse science areas. The attendees also had the opportunity to share their research needs, which will be taken into consideration in the ongoing development of CoreMiS. Overall, the workshop was a success, with attendees expressing their appreciation for the opportunity to learn more about CoreMiS and how it can help address their research needs. I believe that this workshop was an excellent opportunity to engage with key stakeholders and to demonstrate the potential of CoreMiS in advancing scientific research across various fields. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Introducing CoreMiS to the Environment Agency |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I had the honor of introducing the new research facility, CoreMiS, to the Environment Agency, a crucial stakeholder in environmental protection and improvement. In my presentation, I highlighted the features and capabilities of the UK Centre for Multimodal Correlative Microscopy & Spectroscopy (CoreMiS), which is dedicated to providing a combined visualisation, compositional, and molecular characterisation of biological and inorganic materials in their natural or near-natural states, at a nanoscopic resolution. Moreover, I showcased key applications of CoreMiS across the focus areas of the Environment Agency, demonstrating the relevance and importance of the facility to their work. Standerwick Richard, a Senior Advisor Innovative Chemicals Monitoring, was among the attendees. The presentation was well-received by the Environment Agency, who expressed their appreciation for the insight and information provided. I believe it was a successful opportunity to engage with a key stakeholder and showcase the capabilities of CoreMiS in addressing environmental challenges. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Introducing CoreMiS to the University of Canterbury, New Zealand |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I had the pleasure of introducing CoreMiS to the School of Physical and Chemical Sciences at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. Dr. Laura Revell, Associate Professor of Environmental Physics, was in attendance. During my presentation, I emphasized the features and capabilities of the UK Centre for Multimodal Correlative Microscopy & Spectroscopy (CoreMiS), which is dedicated to providing a combined visualization, compositional, and molecular characterization of biological and inorganic materials at a nanoscopic resolution in their natural or near-natural states. The goal of the talk was to position CoreMiS as an international facility and facilitate research collaborations, particularly in Antarctic environmental studies. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Invited Speaker at the 15th Conference of the UK Water Network - Cranfield University, UK. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I had the privilege of being an invited speaker at the 15th Conference of the UK Water Network, which was hosted by Cranfield University in the United Kingdom. The focus of my talk was centered around the intriguing question of, 'How confident can we be at detecting and quantifying micro and nanoplastics in treated water?' The primary objective of my presentation was to showcase the current state of the science in microplastics and nanoplastics analysis in potable water. I carefully evaluated the accuracy of the present micro-spectroscopic analytical approaches that are being used to detect and quantify microplastics. Additionally, I presented the audience with a groundbreaking new platform called CoreMiS, which is being funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). This platform has the potential to revolutionize the analysis of nanoplastics in vital systems such as the drinking water treatment and supply system. My presentation was attended by a diverse audience of over 200 participants, including representatives from various Water Companies in the UK, the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI), and teaching and research staff from Universities in the UK and abroad. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/events/events-2022/water-network-conference |
| Description | Oral presentation of CoreMiS at the UKCEH Virtual Internal Conference 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I had the pleasure of delivering an engaging and informative oral presentation at the UKCEH Virtual Internal Conference 2022. The conference was designed to foster collaboration and celebrate successes in both science and professional services within the UKCEH community. My presentation titled 'What is RISE-EDS and CoreMiS - a new research facility at the UKCEH?' centered around introducing the new NERC facility, the UK Centre for Multimodal Correlative Microscopy & Spectroscopy (CoreMiS). This state-of-the-art facility is dedicated to providing combined visualisation, compositional, and molecular characterisation of biological and inorganic materials in their natural or near-natural states at a nanoscopic resolution. I demonstrated the key applications of CoreMiS across the UKCEH Science Areas, highlighting its relevance and usefulness in various departments. The presentation was well-received, with over 500 participants in attendance. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Research highlight presentation at the NERC Science Committee Meeting - Lancaster University. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | On the 19th of October 2022, I had the honor of giving a brief but insightful talk to the NERC Science Committee at Lancaster University. The topic of my presentation was titled 'Quantifying micro- and nanoplastics in your water supply: are we drinking plastic particles?' During my talk, I provided an overview of key results from my recent analysis of microplastics in drinking water. The samples were sourced from various treatment plants to household taps, which were managed by 7 water companies across the UK. Moreover, I drew the committee's attention to the inadequacy of the existing analytical technologies, which lack the ability to detect and quantify nanoplastics in drinking water with utmost confidence. In light of this, I presented a new NERC investment, CoreMiS. This cutting-edge analytical platform provides a new and more accurate capability for detecting and quantifying nanoplastics in critical systems such as drinking water. My presentation was well-received by the NERC Science Committee, who expressed their appreciation for the valuable insights and solutions presented. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.ukri.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/NERC-170223-ScienceCommittee-MeetingSummaryOctober20... |