Research assistant Oksana Tovmachenko from the Dresden University of Applied Sciences attended the COMSOL Conference 2025 in Amsterdam from October 29-31, 2025. She presented her research on "Multiphysics Simulation and Analysis of Ion-Induced Charging for Microplastic Separation," developed in collaboration with Prof. Dr. M-P. Schmidt. 

The innovative work addresses the critical environmental challenge of microplastic contamination in sediment samples by developing an electrostatic separation method using corona discharge. Through advanced COMSOL Multiphysics® simulations combined with experimental validation, Tovmachenko demonstrated how different polymer types (HDPE, PP, PS) can be effectively separated based on their distinct charging behaviors, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional chemical-intensive separation methods. 

This research is part of the SEMUWA project (Sichere Entfernung von Mikroplastik bei der Uferfiltration und Trinkwasseraufbereitung in Sachsen), funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Free State of Saxony (grant no. 100649438).