{"product_id":"kit-microplastics-optical-particle-counter","title":"Microplastics Optical Particle Counter Kit with Arduino Mega + LED","description":"\u003ch1\u003eMicroplastics Optical Particle Counter Kit with Arduino Mega — Count and Size Pollutants in Water\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"value-summary\"\u003eEvery part needed, pre-tested for compatibility, with an AI build companion trained on this exact project. Shipped from Bengaluru in 3-5 days.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"specs-strip\"\u003e\n  \u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDifficulty:\u003c\/strong\u003e Advanced\u003c\/span\u003e\n  \u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuild Time:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6-8 hrs\u003c\/span\u003e\n  \u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge:\u003c\/strong\u003e 18-21\u003c\/span\u003e\n  \u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSkill:\u003c\/strong\u003e Laser Spectroscopy \u0026amp; Signal Processing\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDetect and size microplastic particles smaller than 100 µm using a custom-built flow cell, laser, and photodiode. This advanced kit guides you through building an optical particle counter that measures light scattering events and analyzes pulse width to discriminate particle size — a critical tool for environmental monitoring and research.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat You'll Build\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou’ll construct a laser-based particle counter with a continuous flow sample cell. As water passes through, suspended microplastics scatter the laser beam; a BPW34 photodiode picks up these pulses, which dual LM358 op-amps amplify and shape. An Arduino Mega 2560 timestamps each event via DS3231 RTC, logs counts and size categories to microSD, and displays real-time data on a 0.96-inch OLED. This standalone instrument lets you quantify microplastic pollution in real water samples from rivers, lakes, or processed wastewater.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat You'll Learn\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDesign and calibrate a flow-based optical particle counting system\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eProcess weak analog signals with multi-stage op-amp circuits (pulse detection and amplification)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003ePerform pulse width analysis to classify particles into size bins (e.g., 50–100 µm, 100–500 µm)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eImplement data logging with real-time clock timestamps for long-duration sampling studies\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKit Contents\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n  \u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eComponent\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eQuantity\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n  \u003ctbody\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eArduino Mega 2560\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5mW Laser Module\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBPW34 Photodiode\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLM358 Op-Amp\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDS3231 RTC\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMicroSD Module\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0.96in OLED\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100kΩ Resistors\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10kΩ Resistors\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100nF Caps\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePCB Prototype Board\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9V Battery Snap\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoldering Iron\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSolder Wire\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy Buy This Kit Instead of Sourcing Parts Separately\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n  \u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFactor\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSourcing Separately\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eCompoden Kit\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n  \u003ctbody\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCompatibility checks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYou verify every part\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePre-tested as a system\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBuild support\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eForums and scattered tutorials\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAI companion trained on this exact project\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTime to first working build\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDays of debugging\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHours, with step-by-step guidance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eShipping coordination\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMultiple sellers, multiple delays\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOne shipment from Bengaluru in 3-5 days\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWho This Kit Is For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis kit is designed for B.Tech ECE\/EEE students working on final-year projects in environmental sensing, participants in Smart India Hackathon tackling water pollution challenges, and research scholars at IITs, NITs, VIT, or BITS looking to prototype low-cost microplastics monitoring. It assumes prior experience with Arduino and basic analog electronics — ideal for ages 18–21 and beyond.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eBuilt and Backed by Compoden\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery Compoden kit ships with an AI build companion trained on this exact project — accessible via a QR code on the box, with WhatsApp and email backup. We've spent 10 years building projects for makers, schools, and institutions across India. If a part fails because of a manufacturing defect, replace it free within 7 days.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eWhat if I get stuck during the build?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eScan the QR code on the box to access the AI build companion trained on this exact kit; it can walk you through every step and troubleshoot. You can also reach us via WhatsApp for human support.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eCan this kit detect nanoparticles like nanoplastics?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo, the optical design using a 5mW laser and BPW34 photodiode is sensitive to particles roughly 50 µm and larger, ideal for microplastics. For nanoplastics, you would need dynamic light scattering or a different approach.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eDo I need a flow pump and cuvette?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe kit includes prototype PCBs and laser\/photodiode to build the core sensor head, but you’ll need to construct a simple gravity-fed flow cell from materials like a glass cuvette and tubing (sources suggested in the guide). A small peristaltic pump can be added for continuous sampling.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eWhat water samples can I test?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe system works with clear to slightly turbid water. Filtered tap water, bottled water, or environmental samples after basic filtration work best. Highly turbid water may require pre-filtration to avoid clogging and false counts.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"kit-description\"\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eLaser + photodiode in flow cell counts particles in water. Size discrimination by pulse width analysis.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003ch4\u003eWhat's in this kit\u003c\/h4\u003e\n  \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/mega-2560-r3-development-board-arduino-compatible-54-io-256kb\"\u003eArduino Mega 2560\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e5mW Laser Module\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eBPW34 Photodiode\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/lm358-op-amp-dual-low-power-operational-amplifier-ic-compoden\"\u003eLM358 Op-Amp\u003c\/a\u003e x2\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/ds3231-real-time-clock-module-i2c-rtc-with-battery-backup\"\u003eDS3231 RTC\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/microsd-card-reader-spi-module-for-arduino\"\u003eMicroSD Module\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/096in-oled-display-128x64-i2cspi-for-arduino-raspberry-pi\"\u003e0.96in OLED\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e100kΩ Resistors x5\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/resistor-variety-pack-100-pcs-10-values-14w-carbon-film\"\u003e10kΩ Resistors\u003c\/a\u003e x10\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/capacitor-variety-pack-6-values-100nf-to-470uf-30-pieces\"\u003e100nF Caps\u003c\/a\u003e x10\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/esp-wroom-32-breakout-board-pcb-55x52mm\"\u003ePCB Prototype Board\u003c\/a\u003e x3\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/9v-battery-snap-connector-with-15cm-wires-compoden\"\u003e9V Battery Snap\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/soldering-kit-25w-with-solder-wire-flux-paste-compoden\"\u003eSoldering Iron\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/soldering-kit-25w-with-solder-wire-flux-paste-compoden\"\u003eSolder Wire\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n  \"mainEntity\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"What is included in the Microplastics Optical Particle Counter Kit with Arduino Mega + LED?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"The Microplastics Optical Particle Counter Kit with Arduino Mega + LED includes all components needed: Arduino Mega 2560, 5mW Laser Module, BPW34 Photodiode, LM358 Op-Amp, DS3231 RTC and more. Everything is pre-tested for compatibility and shipped from Bengaluru, India.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"What skill level is required for the Microplastics Optical Particle Counter Kit with Arduino Mega + LED?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"This kit is designed for Advanced level makers, suitable for ages 18-21. Laser + photodiode in flow cell counts particles in water. Size discrimination by pulse width analysis. Estimated build time is 6-8 hrs.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Can I buy the Microplastics Optical Particle Counter Kit with Arduino Mega + LED online in India?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Yes, the Microplastics Optical Particle Counter Kit with Arduino Mega + LED is available online at Compoden (compoden.in), India's AI-powered electronics and robotics store. Ships from Bengaluru in 1-5 business days across India.\"\n      }\n    }\n  ]\n}\n\u003c\/script\u003e\n\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"Product\",\n  \"name\": \"Microplastics Optical Particle Counter Kit with Arduino Mega + LED\",\n  \"description\": \"Laser + photodiode in flow cell counts particles in water. Size discrimination by pulse width analysis.\",\n  \"sku\": \"CDN-KIT-1571\",\n  \"brand\": {\"@type\": \"Brand\", \"name\": \"Compoden\"},\n  \"offers\": {\n    \"@type\": \"Offer\",\n    \"url\": \"https:\/\/compoden.in\/products\/kit-microplastics-optical-particle-counter\",\n    \"priceCurrency\": \"INR\",\n    \"price\": \"3465\",\n    \"availability\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/InStock\",\n    \"seller\": {\"@type\": \"Organization\", \"name\": \"Compoden\"}\n  },\n  \"category\": \"School \u0026 STEM Projects\"\n}\n\u003c\/script\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChoose your assembly option:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoldering Kit\u003c\/strong\u003e — 25W soldering iron, 60\/40 solder wire, flux, and small perfboard for permanent assembly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBreadboard Combo\u003c\/strong\u003e — 800-point full-size breadboard with 65-piece jumper wire pack for solderless prototyping.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Compoden","offers":[{"title":"Clone \/ Soldering Kit","offer_id":53469239443821,"sku":"CDN-KIT-1571-CL-SLD","price":2640.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true},{"title":"Clone \/ Breadboard Combo","offer_id":53469239476589,"sku":"CDN-KIT-1571-CL-BB","price":2110.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true},{"title":"R3 Original \/ Soldering Kit","offer_id":53469239509357,"sku":"CDN-KIT-1571-R3-SLD","price":5070.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true},{"title":"R3 Original \/ Breadboard Combo","offer_id":53469239542125,"sku":"CDN-KIT-1571-R3-BB","price":4540.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true},{"title":"R4 WiFi \/ Soldering Kit","offer_id":53469239574893,"sku":"CDN-KIT-1571-R4-SLD","price":4390.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true},{"title":"R4 WiFi \/ Breadboard Combo","offer_id":53469239607661,"sku":"CDN-KIT-1571-R4-BB","price":3860.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0999\/3997\/5533\/files\/kit-microplastics-optical-particle-counter.png?v=1781946829","url":"https:\/\/compoden.com\/products\/kit-microplastics-optical-particle-counter","provider":"Compoden","version":"1.0","type":"link"}