Webinar: Smart, Ultra-wide Band Hyperspectral Imaging for Material Identification: Emerging Applications in the Non-destructive Analysis of Objects of Artistic and Historic Value

Abstract

This lecture seeks to capture the recent developments in hyperspectral imaging, where novel tunable electro-optic filter technologies meet modern efficient classifiers and machine learning models.

Given the value and sensitivity of artworks the development of flexible, portable instrumentation, which can provide analytical information and accurate documentation non-destructively and in-situ, is highly desirable. Over the last two decades there have been substantial advances made in the application of modern scientific techniques to the chemical and structural analysis of works of art. Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI) combines the advantages of both imaging and spectroscopy (high spatial and spectral resolution) in a single instrument. In HSI, light intensity is recorded as a function of both wavelength and location. A series of images is acquired at different wavelengths, producing the so-called spectral cube. Each pixel in the spectral cube, therefore, represents the spectrum of the scene at that point. Modern HSI systems generate several million of densely sampled spectra at the sub minute regime. The generated huge datasets pose many challenges in optimally extracting and exploiting the useful information contained in the spectral cube.

In its introductory part, the lecture will come across the basic light-mater interaction phenomena from the spectroscopy’s perspective. Next, the traditional and contemporary hyperspectral imaging technologies will be presented together with the newest ultra-wide band, smart hyperspectral solutions. The lecture will continue with spectral unmixing and classification approaches employed for generating spectral maps as a means for comprehensively representing the spectral cube’s essential information in the form of a single image known as thematic map. Non-destructive pigment identification in paintings by El Greco’s workshop will be showcased together with system’s training with spectra obtained from material replicas mimicking the Master’s pigment development recipes. The lecture will close with selected topics in hyperspectral microscopy that will include a novel high content screening multimodal microscope.

About the Speaker

Costas Balas is a full Professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at the Technical University of Crete, Chania, Greece, where he has been since 2002. He is the Director of the ECE School Electronics Lab and the founder and leader of Lab’s photonics group. He is also the director of the Biomedical Engineering MSc programme ( www.bme-crete.edu.gr ), jointly organized by the Academic Institutions of Crete. From 1995 to 2001 he served as a faculty member researcher in the Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser-Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH), where he has founded and led the biomedical imaging and spectroscopy lab. In 2002 he founded DySIS Medical ( www.dysismedical.com ), currently an international company with lifesaving FDA approved products, where he held BoD member, CTO and acting CEO positions. In 2016 he founded and became the CEO of QCELL ( www.qcell.tech ) and Spectricon ( www.spectricon.com ) , both hi tech companies dealing with advanced imaging technologies. He received the Physics Degree and the PhD in Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, both from the University of Patras Greece.

His research interests span both biophotonics and hyperspectral imaging. Much of his work has been on developing in vivo, early detection and non-invasive diagnostic methods based on the understanding and the modeling of complex light-matter interaction phenomena. In the hyperspectral sector he has worked on developing novel staring and snapshot hyperspectral camera systems together with their applications in microscopy, endoscopy and don destructive testing. Professor Costas Balas has served as Guest Editor/Editorial Board Member in 9 journals, he has given more than 50 invited/plenary talks in international conferences and participated in more than 40 international conference committees. He has received numerus national and international awards and distinctions and has attracted more than €40 million from research grants and corporate VC funding. He has published more than 100 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters and holds several patents pending and granted in USA, EU, China, and Japan. His research has been showcased in prominent international media including but not limited to Research Outreach, CNN.com, Nature, Nature Oncology (research highlights), Economist, Science & Vie, The Times.

 

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