ParticleRecognition, a Mathematica GUI interface for analysis of complex shaped nanoparticles in micrographs

Abstract

A Mathematica application providing the user with a graphical interface (GUI) is presented and published, which can be used to interactively explore image filtering and segmentation methods to analyse variously shaped particles in a microscopic image. The application functionality is designed around Mathematica’s in-built image processing capability with custom designed functions specialized at segmenting greyscale microscope images. The main contribution is a specially designed GUI which allows the characterization of segmented particles based on their morphological properties, with focus given to differentiation of the shapes of the segmented particles. The application provides a convenient way of navigating through the myriad of ways to analyse particles in micrographs. Program summaryProgram title: ParticleRecognitionCatalogue identifier: AFBN_v1_0Program summary URL:http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/summaries/AFBN_v1_0.htmlProgram obtainable from: CPC Program Library, Queen’s University, Belfast, N. IrelandLicensing provisions: GNU GPL v3No. of lines in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 22375No. of bytes in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 1086972Programming language: Mathematica.Computer: Any computer where Mathematica version 9 or higher is running.Operating system: Windows/Linux/Mac.Classification: 16.9.Nature of problem: Providing interactive GUI for electron micrograph particle analysis using interactive image filtering and segmentation. The application enables a convenient way of navigating through the myriad of ways to analyse particles in micrographs.Solution method: ParticleRecognition can accept image as a functional parameter or load image from file using standard system menu. The image filtering is done via built in Mathematica functions and custom tailored functions, allowing for interactive change of parameters. The result of automated particle recognition can be overridden by interactive hand picking individual particles in the original image.Restrictions: No general restrictions, specific restrictions are given in the manuscript.Running time: The GUI is designed so the image processing filters are previewed on a sub-image, allowing for interactive parameter editing. The filtering of whole image together with segmentation takes less than a minute on modern PC considering image size up to 2K.