The NJIT Wen Zhang’s research group participated in the 2025 Eastern Analytical Symposium (EAS), held November 17–19 in Plainsboro, New Jersey, presenting three posters that showcased the group’s latest analytical innovations for emerging environmental contaminants.
Sowmya Atukuri presented a study on nanobubble characterization using Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), demonstrating improved size and concentration calibration across aqueous and organic matrices.
Guangyu Zhu introduced a Raman-based workflow for the identification and quantification of microplastics in food and agricultural wastes, emphasizing matrix effects, spectral reliability, and large-scale applicability across diverse waste streams.
Jiahe Zhang presented new results on PFAS occurrence and bioaccumulation risks in food waste, along with a detailed cost assessment of detection workflows using advanced LC-QQQ methods.
Posters:
Nanobubble Characterization using Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS)
This poster presents improved analytical strategies for accurately measuring nanobubble size and concentration in complex liquid systems. Using NTA and DLS, the work establishes calibration curves with 100 nm and 200 nm polystyrene standards across both aqueous and organic media. The study demonstrates reliable particle size distribution, zeta potential measurements, and concentration quantification, highlighting how liquid matrices influence stability and detection sensitivity. These findings contribute to advancing nanobubble research in environmental and biochemical applications by improving measurement reproducibility and QA/QC reliability.
Raman-Based Identification and Quantification of Microplastics in Food and Agricultural Wastes
This poster introduces a validated Raman spectroscopy workflow for detecting and quantifying microplastics in a wide range of food and agricultural waste matrices. The method integrates sample digestion, density separation, membrane filtration, and spectral micro-mapping to identify polymer types and particle distributions. Results from 53 representative waste samples reveal polymer composition trends, matrix influences, and particle abundance ranges. The workflow demonstrates robustness, spectral reliability, and cost-effective scalability, supporting large-scale environmental monitoring and improving understanding of microplastic contamination in complex waste streams.
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Food Waste: Detection and Cost Analysis
This poster reports new findings on the occurrence and distribution of PFAS in food waste from restaurants, schools, landfills, and commercial fish fillets. Using EPA Method 1633 and LC-QQQ quantification, the study identifies 25 PFAS compounds and highlights bioaccumulation risks in fish tissue. The work also evaluates the cost of PFAS detection workflows (USD 500–1300 per sample), providing insight into practical monitoring requirements. By integrating PFAS extraction, cleanup, and advanced analytics, this research supports sustainable waste management and informs regulatory and community-based monitoring strategies.
Together, these three poster contributions underscore the group’s ongoing commitment to advancing analytical methodologies for complex environmental systems. By integrating cutting-edge characterization tools with real-world applications, the Wen Zhang Research Group continues to expand its impact in contaminant detection, environmental monitoring, and sustainable waste management. We look forward to further collaborations, conference engagements, and research advancements in the coming year.
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