Last updated: April 22, 2026
The Ecotera Research Portfolio –
Organized Table of Contents:
A Technical Paper Index and Strategic Overview
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Intro to EcoExposure:
Designing Field-Deployable, AI Smartphone-Based Diagnostics for Global Scalable Water Intelligence: The EcoExposure Platform
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19689354
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Potential Plastic Contamination Pathways in Conventional Lab-Based Analysis of Microplastics and Nanoplastics vs. EcoExposure™ Intentionally Designed Simple Low-Contamination Field-Deployable Smartphone Workflow
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19338947
Suggested Reading Paths
For Policymakers
Read Sections 4 + 5
For Scientists
Read Sections 1 + 2
For Health / Clinical Readers
Read Section 3
For Investors / Strategic Partners
Read Sections 4 + 6
For Regulators
Read Sections 1 + 3 + 5
1. Foundational Detection & Measurement Systems
These papers introduce scalable alternatives to traditional centralized laboratory workflows and establish the technical foundation for decentralized monitoring.
1.1 Plastic Polymer Type Identification Should Not Be the Initial Primary Goal for Microplastics Policy, Regulation, and Remediation Decisions in 2026
Argues that actionable detection may be more important than immediate polymer-level classification in many real-world policy settings.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19638116
1.2 Toward a Global Standard for Field-Based Microplastic and Nanoplastic Detection: Conceptual Framework, Version 1
Proposes core principles for distributed field detection systems emphasizing reproducibility, simplicity, and scalability.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19536054
1.3 A Computer Vision Approach for Non-Enumerative Detection of Microplastic and Nanoplastic Signatures and Mixed Particulate Regimes
Introduces image-based interpretation of mixed particle systems without requiring exhaustive particle counting.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19532700
1.4 Signal Generation and Pattern-Based Detection: Microplastic and Nanoplastic Assays as Corollaries to PCR and ELISA
Positions optical interaction assays as signal-generation systems analogous to transformative prior diagnostics.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19521084
1.5 A Multi-Matrix Approach to Microplastic and Nanoplastic Detection Across Environmental and Biological Samples
Explores unified measurement principles across water and biological matrices.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19462123
1.6 Current Practical Limitations of Advanced Spectroscopic and Imaging Methods for Nanoplastics Characterization in Complex Biological Matrices
Reviews barriers to scalability, cost, contamination control, and throughput in current high-end methods.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19450733
1.7 How Back-Calculation and Particle Size Assumptions in Lab-Based Methods Can Significantly Alter Reported Microplastic and Nanoplastic Particle Counts
Explains how modeling assumptions can dramatically change reported particle numbers without changing the underlying sample.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19646694
1.8 How a Field-Ready Natural Reagent System Was Selected: Multi-Criteria Screening for Microplastic/Nanoplastic Assays
Summarizes the experimental process used to identify a practical natural reagent system optimized for speed, optics, supply chain reliability, and field use.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19663736
1.9 Dose Matters: Experimental Evidence That Reagent Concentration Influences Signal Strength in a Surface-Interaction Microplastic/Nanoplastic Assay
Demonstrates that reagent concentration materially affects assay behavior, consistency, and optical interpretation.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19663545
2. Theoretical Frameworks: The Z-Model
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These papers introduce accessible surface area (ASA) as a unifying variable governing particulate behavior across systems.
2.1 The Z-Model: A Unified Accessible Surface Area Framework for Predicting Particulate Behavior Across Environmental, Biological, and Material Systems
Introduces the core theory of Z-sites, Z-density, and surface-governed behavior.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19659126
2.2 The Z-Model Applied to Microplastics and Nanoplastics: Accessible Surface Area, Mixed-Scale Environmental Samples, and Policy-Relevant Detection
Applies the framework to mixed MP/NP systems, field detection, and environmental interpretation.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19661568
2.3 Nanoplastics Are Not Simply Smaller Microplastics: Accessible Surface Area Drives Their Disproportionate Human Health Risks
Explains why nanoplastics may create outsized biological effects through increased reactive surface area and interaction density.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19663224
3. Human Health & Biological Monitoring
These papers focus on human exposure monitoring, urine as a scalable matrix, and disease relevance.
3.1 Preliminary Report: Scalable Detection of Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Human Urine
Early feasibility work supporting urine as a practical monitoring matrix.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19342198
3.2 Toward Scalable Detection of Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Human Biological Systems: Alignment with STOMP Objectives and Preliminary Feasibility Data
Connects biological monitoring with broader national priorities.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19393852
3.3 Toward a Harmonized Framework for Standardization for Scalable and Reproducible Measurement of Microplastic and Nanoplastic Monitoring in Human Urine
Proposes a technology-agnostic quality framework for urine-based monitoring.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19645419
3.4 Human Health Impacts and Tissue Deposition of Microplastics and Nanoplastics: Organ-System Summary (April 2026)
Summarizes reported organ-system exposure pathways, deposition findings, and emerging health concerns.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19663994
3.5 Microplastics and Nanoplastics in the Gastrointestinal System: Mechanisms, Risks, and Therapeutic Opportunities
Examines GI exposure pathways and intervention opportunities.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19562033
3.6 Environmental Skin Defense in the Microplastics/Nanoplastics Era: A Technical Perspective on Barrier-Impaired Skin, Airborne Exposure, and Preventive Solutions
Explores skin exposure, barrier dysfunction, and preventive strategies.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19589741
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4. Water Intelligence, Field Validation & Real-World Deployment
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These papers focus on practical environmental sensing systems.
4.1 Toward a Multi-Analyte Smartphone Platform for Scalable Global Water Intelligence: Beyond Microplastics/Nanoplastics
Introduces a modular smartphone platform expandable from plastics to metals, turbidity, surfactants, and future analytes.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19675066
4.2 Distributed Environmental Sensing Networks: A Framework for Scalable Global Water Intelligence
Presents decentralized sensing networks capable of generating dense real-world environmental data.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19475218
4.3 Toward a Policy-Driven Data Flywheel for Scalable Real-Time Water Intelligence: A Framework for Decentralized Environmental Monitoring
Explains how repeated distributed testing can create self-improving intelligence systems.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19648571
4.4 Large Sample Volumes Improve Detection Reliability of Sparse Particles in Water: A Poisson Sampling Perspective
Demonstrates why larger sample volumes improve sparse-particle detection reliability and reduce false negatives.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19390222
4.5 Saltwater Changes Everything: Why Coastal and Ocean Microplastic Detection Requires New Field Methods
Explains why marine and coastal environments require dedicated methods due to salinity, complex chemistry, and field constraints.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19674868
4.6 Field Validation of a Portable Zero-Shear Optical Interaction Assay for Microplastic–Nanoplastic Detection in Coastal (High Salinity) Water Under Uncontrolled Conditions: San Francisco Bay (April 2026)
Real-world coastal validation under uncontrolled outdoor conditions.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19490782
4.7 Multi-Site Validation Across the United States: Real-World Testing of a Portable Microplastic/Nanoplastic Water Assay
Demonstrates geographic robustness across multiple U.S. cities and water sources.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19673502
4.8 International Field Testing of a Portable Optical Interaction Assay in Municipal Tap Water: Singapore and the Philippines (April 2026)
Extends real-world validation across international urban settings.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19673596
4.9 Image-Based Turbidity Analysis in Natural Water Systems: A Scalable Smartphone Framework
Applies smartphone imaging to turbidity and general water quality monitoring.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19390542
5. Policy & Regulatory Frameworks
These papers are written to support decision-making, regulation, and public communication.
5.1 EPA Draft CCL 6 Prioritizes Microplastics: Technical and Policy Implications for Reliable Detection in Drinking Water
Focused response to emerging regulatory priorities and scalable monitoring needs.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19391419
5.2 Why Scalable Water Intelligence Requires Field Methods: The Limitations of Centralized Laboratories
Argues that centralized labs alone cannot support population-scale, repeat, geographically dense monitoring.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19675628
6. Mitigation, Therapeutics & Closed-Loop Systems
These papers move beyond detection into solutions.
6.1 Interaction-Mediated Mitigation of Microplastic and Nanoplastic Burden Across Biological Systems
Introduces mitigation strategies based on sequestration, aggregation, or surface interaction rather than polymer destruction.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19323500
6.2 Closed-Loop Therapeutic Response Monitoring Using Optical Signatures in Biological Fluids
Explores feedback systems combining intervention with repeated monitoring in biological matrices.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19199734
6.3 When Plastic Degradation Enzymes Can Increase Risk: How Enzymatic Fragmentation May Generate More Reactive Nanoplastics and Influence Water Remediation Decisions
Examines how some remediation strategies may unintentionally increase nanoplastic burden and reactive surface area.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19661568