Filter Stack for Microplastic Sampling

Want to conduct your own simple science experiments at home? Here we have a microplastic sampler that allows you to collect and separate out microplastic of various sizes from the sea. 

How it works:

By stacking filters with different mesh sizes on top of eachother, we can collect microplastics of different sizes. The filter stack is lowered into the sea using a rope. The weighted end of the filter stack allows it to sink straight down. The cone end of the filter stack directs water away from the filters as its lowered into the sea, so that we are only allowing water to pass through the filter stack as its lifted out of the sea. 

You can decide what size of microplastics you wan to look for by changing the material used for the filter. You can experiment with different materials e.g. tea bags, coffee filters, face coverings, tights etc. You can also stack as many different filters together as you like.

Assembly Instructions:

1. For your first filter, take the printed ‘FilterTop’ and place your chosen material over the top, screw into place using the ‘retaining ring’. This is now one complete filter. Attach a rope to either side of the filter using the holes provided. This will allow us to lower the filter stack into the water.
2. Make as many fitlers as you want. For your next filters, you do not need the holes for attaching a rope so you can use ‘Filter’ stl file. 
3. Join your filters together by clipping the wings from each filter together with binder clips.
4. Attach a weight to the ‘WeightAttachment’ part. We have used a rock but any heavy object will do (a padlock might work well for this). Clip this part to the filter stack using binder clips.
5. Head out to the sea, a river or a lake and test out your microplastic sampler!

*Note: take care when working near the water. Always be mindful of ropes and trip hazards

Threads for retaining ring and filter are taken from Threaded Container, Pan Barszczyk (https://www.printables.com/model/213330-threaded-container).