Our Scope & Vision

Building an open environmental MP detection platform.

Short-term direction

Expand Aging Spectral Libraries

OpenMNP has completed Raman identification based on a thermal-aging spectral library. The next step is to build spectra for other aging pathways, validate the general applicability of the method, and expand toward infrared spectral identification.

Long-term direction

Detection Technology Exchange

The long-term goal is to develop OpenMNP into an open exchange platform for microplastic detection technologies, supporting transparent method development, shared validation, and a unified identification workflow.

What We Aim to Improve

OpenMNP is not intended to replace expert judgment. It is designed to make the identification process easier to inspect, repeat, and improve, especially when spectra come from aged or environmentally transformed microplastics.

01

Accessible Tools

Researchers should be able to test identification workflows without relying only on expensive closed software or undocumented matching rules.

02

Transparent Logic

Preprocessing, spectral regions, similarity thresholds, and reporting choices should be explicit enough for other users to evaluate and reproduce.

03

Comparable Evidence

Detection outputs become more useful when laboratories can compare results under shared assumptions, size classes, and quality criteria.

Platform boundary

What OpenMNP Covers

Now

Raman spectrum upload, preprocessing, polymer matching, result saving, and identification using the completed thermal-aging spectral library.

Next

New spectral libraries for other aging pathways, broader validation across sample types, and expansion toward infrared spectral identification.

Future

An open microplastic detection exchange platform that promotes transparent development and moves the field toward standardized identification workflows.