NATURAL AND APPLIED SCIENCES Standards Summary – May 2025 Monthly Overview

Looking back at May 2025, standards development in the Natural and Applied Sciences sector reflected a measured yet meaningful step forward. Although only a single standard was published during the month, its technical depth and focus on emerging measurement technologies reinforced the sector's commitment to precision and progress. This article reviews ISO 21910-2:2025, providing context for professionals who rely on accurate characterization techniques in research, quality assurance, and process control. Stay informed with this retrospective overview packed with actionable insights and deeper analysis.

Monthly Overview: May 2025

The standardization landscape for Natural and Applied Sciences in May 2025 saw focused advancement in the area of measurement methodologies for fine bubble technology. The release of ISO 21910-2:2025—centered on microbubble characterization—underscores a growing recognition of micro- and ultrafine bubbles’ pivotal role in a variety of scientific and industrial applications. Compared to previous months, publication activity was sparse but impactful, emphasizing quality and technical rigor over quantity.

This month’s release signals a continued trend: industry practitioners, researchers, and manufacturers increasingly require standardized, reproducible methods for measuring dynamic phenomena at the micro-scale. As sectors such as environmental science, food processing, and advanced manufacturing evolve, the demand for precise and real-time characterization becomes critical to innovation, compliance, and operational efficiency.

Standards Published This Month

ISO 21910-2:2025 – In-situ Dynamic Image Analysis for Microbubbles

Fine bubble technology – Characterization of microbubbles – Part 2: In-situ dynamic image analysis method

ISO 21910-2:2025 defines the methodology and technical specifications for measuring the bubble size distribution of microbubbles in liquid media using in-situ dynamic image analysis. The standard applies to microbubbles (1 μm to 100 μm) as well as larger bubbles up to 500 μm, dispersed primarily in transparent liquids such as water. Its scope embraces both still and laminar flow environments, making it relevant for laboratory research and in-situ field measurements—ranging from rivers and lakes to industrial processing tanks.

Key requirements and specifications:

• The measurement system must submerge its light source, optics, and imaging devices directly into the test liquid, allowing real-time, location-specific data collection.
• Instrumentation calls for high-resolution imaging (≥0.5 μm/pixel) and acquisition speeds no slower than 60 frames per second, typically reaching several hundred FPS for dynamic environments.
• Image analysis routines must correct for illumination field distortion, allow for adjustable thresholds to reliably distinguish bubbles from other particulates, and automatically calculate bubble statistics including area, circumference, maximum/minimum size, mean, and standard deviation.
• A certified calibration ruler (minimum scale 2 μm) is required for instrument setup.
• Special considerations are detailed for use in open water (Annex B), supporting applicability in environmental and ecological studies.

Who benefits and must comply:

• This standard is especially important for researchers, quality managers, and technical staff in laboratories dealing with microbubble applications in agriculture, aquaculture, food technology, water treatment, and advanced materials manufacturing. Environmental monitoring bodies and industrial process engineers will also find this standard directly relevant.
• Compliance is critical where quantitative, reproducible measurement of microbubble characteristics impacts process optimization, product development, and regulatory reporting.

Position in the regulatory landscape: ISO 21910-2:2025 is part of the wider ISO 21910 series under the Fine Bubble Technology umbrella, which strives to harmonize definitions and methodologies across global users. The standard complements existing frameworks for particle and aerosol measurement, providing a tailored approach for bubbles in liquid media where real-time data and dynamic environments introduce unique challenges.

Notable features and technical innovations:

• Detailed image analysis procedures: from edge detection and bubble identification to size statistics calculation.
• Guidance on setup parameters, such as image resolution, magnification, and acquisition timing, adapted to different media and flow conditions.
• Instrument design requirements that support robust field and laboratory deployment.
• Annexes with real-world analyzer designs and protocols for diverse deployment environments.

Key highlights:

• Introduces a reproducible, high-resolution methodology for characterizing microbubbles in situ
• Strengthens accuracy and comparability of scientific and industrial bubble measurements
• Enhances confidence in data for process control, environmental monitoring, and research

Access the full standard:View ISO 21910-2:2025 on iTeh Standards

Common Themes and Industry Trends

Though May 2025 produced a leaner roster of publications, the focus on microbubble characterization reflects broader trends in measurement enhancement and process traceability within the Natural and Applied Sciences. Several themes stood out:

• Emphasis on Real-time and In-situ Data: There is clear momentum toward measurement strategies that deliver immediate, highly specific results without removing samples from their source environment, particularly for phenomena that are dynamic or unstable.

• Standardization Drives Innovation: As industries leverage fine bubble technologies in fields like precision agriculture, food processing, water remediation, and advanced manufacturing, common measurement frameworks are vital for benchmarking, quality assurance, and process optimization.

• Cross-sector Applicability: The technical scope of ISO 21910-2:2025 spans multiple disciplines, underscoring the convergence of physical, chemical, and environmental sciences in tackling modern challenges, such as sustainable water management and efficient resource utilization.

• Higher Demand for Measurement Quality: The drive toward higher acquisition speed, resolution, and automatic analysis functionality points to an industry-wide push for more granular, trustworthy data, reducing variability between labs, sites, and field conditions.

This month’s publication demonstrates how specialized standards can influence wide-ranging domains, ensuring that advanced measurement techniques are underlying not just innovation, but everyday operational excellence.

Compliance and Implementation Considerations

For organizations and professionals who intend to implement ISO 21910-2:2025, several practical steps and recommendations stand out:

• Instrumentation and Setup: Review and, if necessary, upgrade imaging and measurement systems to meet requirements—particularly regarding resolution, data acquisition speed, and calibration standards.
• Staff Training and SOP Updates: Ensure staff are trained on the new methodologies, and that standard operating procedures reflect the detailed image acquisition and analysis processes outlined in the standard.
• Validation and Documentation: Carry out test runs to validate system calibration and data accuracy, especially when transitioning from legacy measurement techniques.
• Environmental Adaptation: For field deployments (e.g., in rivers or industrial effluents), consult Annex B of the standard for adaptation guidelines and risk management strategies.
• Implementation Timeline: Organizations should aim to incorporate these requirements into their measurement practices as soon as possible to maintain comparability and compliance—especially where third-party verification or regulatory reporting is required.

Resources for getting started:

• Access the standard and any related ISO series documents via iTeh Standards for complete documentation, updates, and guidance tools
• Consult technical webinars or guidance notes from ISO/TC 281 and related scientific working groups
• Collaborate with equipment suppliers to ensure hardware and software compatibility with the measurement protocol

Conclusion: Key Takeaways from May 2025

May 2025 may have seen a single addition to the roster of international standards for Natural and Applied Sciences, but ISO 21910-2:2025 carries significant weight for specialists dealing with fine bubble technologies. Its rigorously defined in-situ dynamic image analysis technique is poised to elevate measurement reliability and cross-sector comparability—from lab research and environmental monitoring to process control in manufacturing and agriculture.

Recommendations for professionals:

• Assess and align current measurement practices with this new standard, especially in fields where microbubble characterization impacts critical quality or compliance metrics
• Stay attuned to the continuing development of related standards and technical guidance within the Fine Bubble Technology domain
• Prioritize early adoption of the standard’s methodologies to maintain leadership in data-driven, innovation-focused environments

Staying abreast of these advancements ensures that your organization not only meets current requirements but is prepared for the evolving demands of science and industry. For full details and implementation specifics, professionals are encouraged to review the complete standard on iTeh Standards.