Qualitative and quantitative interpretation of SEM image using digital image processing

Abstract

The aim of the this study is improvement of qualitative and quantitative analysis of scanning electron microscope micrographs by development of computer program, which enables automatic crack analysis of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs. Micromechanical tests of pneumatic ventricular assist devices result in a large number of micrographs. Therefore, the analysis must be automatic. Tests for athrombogenic titanium nitride/gold coatings deposited on polymeric substrates (Bionate II) are performed. These tests include microshear, microtension and fatigue analysis. Anisotropic surface defects observed in the SEM micrographs require support for qualitative and quantitative interpretation. Improvement of qualitative analysis of scanning electron microscope images was achieved by a set of computational tools that includes binarization, simplified expanding, expanding, simple image statistic thresholding, the filters Laplacian 1, and Laplacian 2, Otsu and reverse binarization. Several modifications of the known image processing techniques and combinations of the selected image processing techniques were applied. The introduced quantitative analysis of digital scanning electron microscope images enables computation of stereological parameters such as area, crack angle, crack length, and total crack length per unit area. This study also compares the functionality of the developed computer program of digital image processing with existing applications. The described pre- and postprocessing may be helpful in scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy surface investigations.

[Retracted] Processing Methods for Digital Image Data Based on the Geographic Information System

“…In order to prevent complex correction behaviors, it is necessary to carefully summarize and analyze abnormal data in the data output process, do daily inspection work, prevent errors, improve the actual rendering quality, and meet the current basic requirements of threedimensional information output. In the use of GIS, digital image data processing personnel should not stick to the status quo but must combine the actual situation, constantly break the routine, improve the rendering accuracy, and meet the basic requirements of three-dimensional applications [14]. Maximum and minimum values of the gray scale are shown in Figure 4.…”

Evaluation of surface modification impact on PP/MWCNT nanocomposites by rheological and mechanical characterization, assisted with morphological image processing

“…MATLAB software is usually used for evaluation of grayscale images. Morphology or mathematical morphology is a branch of image processing, which is particularly useful for shape analysis in image [24,27,28]. Developing high performance CNT nanocomposites depends on several factors such as volume fraction of filler, CNT distribution in matrix, polymer type and fabrication method [29].…”

Ultra‐fast, selective, non‐melting, laser sintering of alumina with anisotropic and size‐suppressed grains

“…It is difficult to directly calculate the relative densities from the SEM micrographs because SEM micrograph present 2D information and relative density is a 3D characteristic. In fact, the conversion of such 2D and 3D results is rather complicated 35,36 . To measure the relative density of laser‐sintered alumina of a micro‐region at a local position, we first prepared a series of reference samples.…”