Black Ink Research Articles

Improving the lightfastness of paperboard prints with pearlescent pigments

Abstract In this research we proposed and tested a solution for improving lightfastness of paperboard electrophotographic prints – enhancing the printed material with inks containing pearlescent pigments. The goal was to analyze how pearlescent pigments’ composition and the size of their particles affect lightfastness, and to assess whether this important property is influenced by the tone value of the initial ink layer. Therefore, lightfastness of the unprinted paperboard and the paperboard printed in electrophotography with medium and full coverage of black ink was measured before and after overprinting with pearlescent inks. The results indicate that pearlescent pigments can be efficiently used to prevent light induced degradation of both paperboard and the corresponding prints. The most significant improvements in lightfastness were noticed when pearlescent inks were printed directly onto the paperboard and on the prints with 50 % black coverage. The best protection from light was achieved with pigments containing only two layers – mica and ferric oxide. Pigments containing mica, titanium dioxide, and tin oxide provided satisfactory lightfastness of the printed paperboard even with the small surface coverage. No significant correlation was found between the size of pearlescent pigment particles and the lightfastness of the paperboard prints to which they are applied.

Impact of Fe3+/Polyphenol Ratio in Iron-gall Ink on Superoxide Formation: Rationalizing Historic Recipes from a Kinetic Study.

Iron-gall inks, a vital part of our written cultural heritage, are at risk of complete loss due to degradation, a potential loss that we must urgently address. These inks are based on Fe3+-complexes with phenolic compounds, which grow to form a complex network of iron oxyhydroxides. Over time, these black inks turn into brownish tones, with extensive degradation in paper support leading to extensive breaking. The kinetics of iron-gall ink preparation explains the use of iron sulfate, FeSO4, in all ancient recipes to obtain a stable amorphous ink. The novelty of this work shows that a low ratio of Fe3+/polyphenol is a crucial factor in allowing the ink's growth without its degradation. This ratio also prevents the formation of superoxide. This was achieved through a comprehensive research methodology involving spectroscopic techniques in the visible and the near-infrared regions, stopped-flow spectrometry and electrochemical studies.

Pengembangan Lembar Kerja Peserta Didik (LKPD) Berbasis Berpikir Kritis pada Mata Pelajaran PPKn di Kelas III MIN 3 Simalungun

The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of critical thinking-based Learner Worksheets (LKPD) in Civics subjects in Class III MIN 3 Simalungun. The background is that the Learner Worksheet used at MIN 3 Simalungun is an instant version of the publisher provided by the school not the result of the preparation carried out by the teacher himself. And printed with black ink on opaque paper. LKPDs found in schools are not yet based on critical thinking. Indicators of critical thinking have not been included in the LKPD, so it does not train students' critical thinking skills. This research is an R&D (Research and Development) study. This study uses the ADDIE development model (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation). Researchers only limit it to the development stage. Researchers modify the development model as needed, because in terms of the formulation of the problem it is only limited to whether or not the LKPD will be developed. So, for this reason, researchers do not carry out the implementation and evaluation stages. Based on the results obtained after being validated by validators from 3 teams of experts, namely from material experts, a percentage of 94% was obtained which was declared very feasible. The assessment of the media expert showed a percentage of 88%, also declared very feasible. In addition, the assessment of linguists obtained a percentage of 86% and was declared very feasible. So it can be concluded

Spectroscopic techniques and chemometrics for ink analysis: Document analysis application

This study represents a methodology to determine the falsified documents via a combined method of spectroscopic techniques and chemometrics. The techniques of UV–Vis and FTIR-ATR spectroscopies and principal component analysis methods have been applied to black, blue, and red ballpoint pens available in the Türkiye market. The analysis results of the applied spectroscopic techniques were found to be consistent with each other for the examined eleven ink samples from three different brands, and it was observed that FTIR-ATR spectroscopy had higher discriminative power. A dried sample preparation technique developed for small amounts of samples for FTIR-ATR measurements and the increased the sensitivity of FTIR-ATR technique was associated with this sample preparation method. Statistical techniques showed that the UV–Vis technique proves useful outcomes in distinguishing inks according to their colors, whereas the FTIR-ATR technique is valuable for identifying ink brands. Additional analysis of the sub-brand of black inks and falsified old-dated check sample analysis validated that our methodology has the potential to classify and identify ballpoint inks in forensic applications. Due to the limited sample quantity available for analysis in real samples, only FTIR-ATR analysis was possible, and the results demonstrated that document forgery could be detected from small parts of samples in the document. When we look at the overall outcome of this study, a comprehensive methodology enriched with statistical calculations has been proposed that can be applied even in a laboratory with limited resources, having only UV–Vis and FTIR-ATR capabilities.

Determination of ammonium and nitrate in soils by digital colorimetry.

A method of digital colorimetric determination of ammonium and nitrate in soils is proposed. The method is based on corresponding photometric procedures of ammonium and nitrate determination after potassium chloride extraction from soil samples. Ammonium is determined as an indophenol dye, and nitrate is determined as an azo dye. The original procedures were modified to overcome the lower sensitivity of the digital colorimetric method. For ammonium determination, the time required for the reaction to proceed completely was studied. Along with the use of a 96-well microplate protected from ambient light by a special frame, mathematical correction of scattered radiation using black ink and taking the images by a scanner in transmission mode without any post-processing, the resulting colorimetric methods proved to provide accuracy and sensitivity close to those of the spectrophotometric method, and the overall analysis speed for tens of samples was even higher. Limits of detection and quantitation for NO3- were 0.42 and 1.4mg/kg, and for NH4+, they were 1.1 and 3.7mg/kg, which is lower than for standard methods. The methods' validity was proven by the analysis of standard samples and by the analysis of soil samples collected in several districts of the Moscow region.

MULTI - ANALYTIC STUDY OF ORIENTAL MANUSCRIPTS IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA DATING FROM THE 15TH - 19TH CENTURY

The objective of this study was the analysis of materials used in five Oriental manuscripts from Bosnia and Herzegovina dating from the 15th - 19th century. The manuscripts were examined using various analytical techniques ranging from a series of preliminary tests (visual inspection, microchemical tests, thin layer chromatography (TLC), acidity status, UV fluorescence) to Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS). The obtained results showed that the manuscripts were made using paper, ink and pigments derived mainly from natural sources. The paper was made from either flax fibers or the combination of flax and hemp fibres and was often sized with egg white and alum to improve its quality. Both carbon black and iron-gall inks were used for the main text, whereas vermillion was chosen only for red ink. This research provides a valuable insight into the production techniques used in Oriental manuscripts from Bosnia and Herzegovina during that period. It also represents a template approach for manuscript characterisation and science-based paper conservation.

A MULTI-ANALYTICAL INVESTIGATION OF AN IRANIAN LITHOGRAPHY BOOK FROM THE QAJAR PERIOD

The lithography books of Iran, despite their historical importance, have received relatively little attention. This study aims to comprehensively examine an Iranian lithography book from the Qajar period titled Hayat al-Qolub, to identify its materials. The paper pulp, sizing, inks and leather of the bookbinding were analyzed through various methods, including staining tests for identifying paper pulp, light microscopy, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, Micro-spectrophotometry, multi-band imaging, SEM-EDS and LC-MS. The findings suggest that the book was made of rag paper composed of linen and cotton fibers, while animal glue and gypsum were used for paper sizing and filling, respectively. Carbon black was used as black printing ink and cochineal was used for red ink. The leather cover of the book was made of goat skin that was tanned with gallotannins and unhaired with lime. Evidence of the use of liming in the unhairing process was also observed in this leather. This research enhances our understanding of paper and bookmaking techniques of the Qajar period in Iran.

Animal Portraiture in the Shah and Rana Era

In the art history of Nepal, the portrayal of animals was never the primary subject until the late medieval period. But animals were depicted as mount of gods and goddesses incommon practice. Independent animal portraitures are seen for the first time in the Shah period. In the National Art Museum of Bhaktapur, a collection of forty-eight distinct animal portraits has been available. There are two types of animal portraiture: mythical creatures and natural fauna. Mythical beings are śārdūla, simha, śarabha, and vyāla, whereas natural fauna are wild animals available in Nepal. Mythical creatures are mostly inspired by Persia, Central Asia as well as the Far East, whereas natural fauna is influenced by Pahari, Mughal, and Mewar artistic traditions. Animals are depicted engaging in fights, chases, and brawls, based on the animal kingdom. Among them, bull fight scenes commissioned by Rana Bahadur Shah, depicted by Nepalese artists. The background of the painting reveals a portrayal of mountains, trees, rocks, rivers, and other natural elements of Paubhāḥ painting. In the early nineteenth century, Nepalese artists used to make copies by Nepali artists using a camera lucida, drawing on paper with pencil, and filling with black ink or colors. Under Jang Bahadura Rana, Nepalese artists observed the photos, sketched them onto the canvas, and then applied colors.

Discovering manganese-based blacks in the grave goods of Kha and Merit (Egypt, 1450-1400 BCE): Multidisciplinary investigation on use and nature

As part of the “TT8 Project”, several research groups examined the grave goods from the Theban Tomb No. 8 of Kha and his wife Merit who lived during the second half of 18th dynasty and were discovered by the Italian Archaeological Mission led by Ernesto Schiaparelli. Thanks to the collaboration of Egyptologists, conservators, and scientists, numerous state-of-the-art, non-invasive methods were used to examine and characterize the objects found in the tomb.During this comprehensive investigation, for which a fully non-invasive approach was designed, the preliminary results for three polychrome wooden caskets showed the unexpected presence of manganese in the black areas in combination with the carbon black ink also present in the black decorations.In addition to MA-XRF analysis, which allowed for the discovery, an innovative imaging method was applied for faster discrimination of black pigments. This method is based on the optical spectral differences between manganese-based blacks and carbon black in the short-wave infrared – with a maximum difference in the range of 1400–1700 nm – and is comparable to a photograph in terms of acquisition time. By using an InGaAs camera with an interferential long-pass filter of 1400 nm, the images were acquired first on a series of mock-ups and then on the wooden caskets. Using false color imaging representation, the areas painted with manganese black showed a clear red false color, in contrast to the black false color of the areas painted with carbon black. The results are fundamental to understanding whether the use of manganese black could be more widespread than reported in the literature so far.

Connecting Stories: Investigations of a Seventeenth-century Mercator Hand-painted Map

ABSTRACT A seventeenth-century hand-painted map entitled Walachia, Servia, Bulgaria, Romania, printed with the original copper plate engraved by Gerardus Mercator, was investigated using portable, non-invasive spectroscopic and imaging methods. X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, UV fluorescence imaging, and short-wave infrared hyperspectral imaging were correlated to characterize pigments, differences in materials, previous interventions, and specific types of degradation. The results showed evidence for the use of vermilion, red lead, a green copper-based pigment, a gray-blue cobalt-based pigment, a chromate-based yellow pigment, and gold leaf, and even inferred the possible use of black ferro-gallic ink, thus highlighting both original materials and the likely presence of at least one previous restoration from the nineteenth century. Hyperspectral imaging was able to discriminate the most significant coloring materials, while UV fluorescence imaging suggested the use of organic material, both as a coating for the gold leaf and as a component in the mixture to temper the vermilion and the green copper-based pigments.

Cost-effective, highly efficient, and stable evaporator constructed of Chinese ink impregnation superhydrophobic Xuan paper for solar-driven interfacial organic solvent purification

The lack of cost-effective, highly efficient, and stable photothermal conversion materials in organic solvents greatly hinders the development of solar-driven interfacial evaporation for organic solvent purification. Herein, inspired by the traditional Chinese calligraphy culture, black ink impregnated superhydrophobic Xuan paper membrane (XPBI) is fabricated via a pressing-impregnation method for solar-driven interfacial organic solvent purification. The high photothermal conversion efficiency and long-term stability of XPBI are attributed to the inherent stability, superhydrophobic surface, and abundant channels of Xuan paper, as well as strong adhesion with carbon black particles. As a result, XPBI exhibited a high light absorption of 94.96 % within a broadband wavelength. The evaporation rates of DMF and NMP for XPBI under one sun were 3.63 and 1.44 kg·m−2·h−1, 49 and 127 times higher than that of natural evaporation. After natural sunlight irradiation for 8 h, XPBI evaporated 37.58 and 9.63 kg·m−2 IPA and DMF with organic dye rejection rates of 99.7 %. Furthermore, the simulation and optimization of cotton bud arrangement for organic solvent transport is proven to inhibit the membrane pollution of dye molecules for XPBI. This work demonstrates a low-cost, highly efficient, and stable photothermal membrane evaporator as an energy-saving and low-carbon technical prototype for organic solvent purification.

Analysis of the manufacturing craft of the painted gold foils applied on the lacquerware of the Jin Yang Western Han Dynasty tomb in Taiyuan, Shanxi, China

Seven pieces of gold foils for surface decoration of the lacquerware were excavated in the late Western Han Dynasty tomb in the area of the Jin Yang (晋阳) Ancient City site in Taiyuan (太原), Shanxi (山西), China. These gold foils portray images of the carriage, the leopard, the tigers, the ox, and the dancer with fluttering sleeves, etc., with black lines outlining the contours and red paint depicting vivid patterns. The study used Stereo Microscopes, Metallurgical Microscopy, Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (ESEM-EDS), and Laser Raman Spectroscopy (LRS) to analyse the thickness of the gold foils, the alloy composition, the composition of the paint and other surface attachments, and investigate the manufacturing process. As the results show, the thickness of the gold foils is about 26 μm. The composition is a gold-silver alloy with about 96% Au/(Au + Ag) (surface) and 98% Au/(Au + Ag) (cross-section). The metallurgical observation shows that the gold foils underwent heating and forging. The black lines on the front side are Chinese ink lines, with cracking and peeling phenomenon, and parallel polishing lines can be seen at the peeling places, while no polishing lines are observed on the back side. Some red paint made of cinnabar is above the black lines, and the binder is organic. Some lacquer residues are found on the back. According to the results of the study, the manufacturing process of the gold foils applied on the lacquerware is as follows: the gold foils are obtained by heating and forging, the front sides of the gold foils are polished, the shapes are carved out, and the gold foils are pasted on the lacquerware when the lacquerware’s surface is not yet dry. The gold foils are painted with black Chinese ink and red cinnabar pigment. The study’s results offer important references for understanding the manufacturing craft of the gold foils applied on the lacquerware in the late Western Han Dynasty of China and guide the conservation of the lacquerware decorated with painted gold foils.

Electronic tongue made of gelatin self-supporting films on printed electrodes to detect lactose

An electronic tongue was developed for the detection of lactose content in commercial foods. This was accomplished by employing optimized detection units comprised of gelatin films and information visualization methods for data analysis. The films incorporating gelatin, tannic acid, and zein, served as the basis for the sensors, whose electrodes were screen printed using carbon black ink. Self-supporting films were produced using various combinations of these materials, some of which had limited solubility in water (from 33% to 36%). They were hydrophobic and yielded reproducible electrical impedance spectra to be used as sensing units. Lactose detection experiments were conducted using various standard concentrations and commercial food samples. Capacitance decreased with lactose concentration at low frequencies, with films lacking a hydrophobic coating showing higher capacitance signals (exceeding 200 nF). Low limits of detection were obtained for the most sensitive films, as low as 2.03 × 10−19 mol/L, comparable to existing biosensors to detect lactose. Combining data from four sensing units in an electronic tongue allowed for the differentiation of lactose concentrations ranging from 1 × 10−20 mol/L to 1 × 10−6 mol/L using the interactive document mapping (IDMAP) projection technique, leading to a silhouette coefficient of 0.716. The discriminatory power of the electronic tongue was validated by distinguishing between lactose-containing and lactose-free food products. These findings highlight the potential of electronic tongues made with sustainable materials for applications in food quality assessment and lactose intolerance management.

Liquid crystal elastomer-based all-printed actuator and sensing array systems

Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are valuable in soft actuators, sensors and other emerging fields. However, it is still a huge challenge to build high-performance LCE-based functional devices in a simple and fast way to achieve the orderly and patterned integration of multiple functional layers and LCE. Herein, screen-printing technology is used to realize the multi-layer pattern deposition of silver fractal dendrites conductive ink (with excellent Joule heating effect and strain-sensing function) and carbon black conductive ink (with photothermal conversion ability) on the surface of LCE. A series of LCE-based electronic devices are prepared through customized printing patterns. The as-obtained actuator possesses excellent electric actuating performance (bending angle of 102° at 200 mA) and self-sensing function (maximum relative resistance changes of −55.0%), and also exhibits NIR light-driven self-sensing bending actuation behavior (bending angle of 81° at 1.43 W/cm2), which can be used to control the robotic arm. The as-printed NIR light sensing array system can accurately sense the intensity, spot size and position of NIR light, showing good application potential in the field of unmanned aerial vehicle flight safety. This work provides a new strategy for the efficient preparation of LCEs-based flexible electronics.

Determining line-crossing sequences between laser printing and black ink using digital microscopy: The influence of writing tool and toner

One of the recurring issues in forensic document analysis is determining the chronological order of line-crossing sequences. This seemingly simple but tricky task allows forensic laboratories to demonstrate the real order of events. The aim of this work is to analyse black ink/toner intersections using the digital microscope Hirox RH-2000. Five types of pens (ballpoint, gel, rollerball, fountain and fineliner) as well as five different laser printers were used to create the samples. Forensic examiners were tasked with assessing toner fractures, the bronzing effect, and gaps. The findings were analysed to determine the importance of each characteristic for each type of pen. Results indicate that observing the bronzing effect at high magnification (700x) is crucial for establishing the sequence order of application. In this regard, the fineliner pen is considered the most challenging type of pen to analyse in a black ink/toner intersection. The method was validated through a blind test. Based on this, a flow chart has been developed to assist the Forensic Document Examiners (FDEs) in their evaluations. The flow chart emphasises the significance of combining multiple observations and enables a more objective analysis for trained FDEs.

Histological Assessment of the Effectiveness of Microneedling Device-Assisted Filler Delivery.

Microneedling is used to enhance transcutaneous drug delivery. However, the extent to which microneedling devices impact filler delivery and whether this varies by filler type, microneedling device type, and treatment sequence is not known. To histologically assess and quantify the delivery of commonly used fillers through microneedling, using both a microneedling pen and a microneedling roller. In addition, the authors investigated whether there is a variation in filler delivery based on the sequence of microneedling in relation to topical filler application. Ex vivo human abdominal skin samples were subjected to microneedling pen or microneedling roller treatment. Black tissue marking ink, hyaluronic acid, poly- l -lactic acid, or undiluted calcium hydroxyapatite was topically applied before or immediately after microneedling treatment. Histological evaluation revealed a notable presence of black ink within channels formed by both microneedling treatments (15.5%-98.1%), whereas there was limited presence of the various filler types tested (0%-6.6%) in all settings. Topical application before microneedling treatment led to relatively higher filler/ink deposition within the channels formed by the microneedling treatments compared with topical application after microneedling. Transcutaneous delivery of fillers was not significantly helped by microneedling treatment, whereas the microneedling devices demonstrated effective delivery of an aqueous solution.

A study of the immunomodulatory effects of coconut oil extract in broilers experimentally infected with velogenic Newcastle disease virus.

This study aims to evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of coconut oil extract (COE) in broilers experimentally infected with velogenic Newcastle disease virus (vNDV). A total of 150 broiler birds (day-old) were equally divided into five study groups i.e., negative control, positive control, COE-1, COE-2, and COE-3. On day 10, broilers of groups COE-1, COE-2, and COE-3 were supplemented with 1, 2, and 3 mL of COE respectively per liter of drinking water for 15 days. On day 13, 0.1 mL/bird (10-5.25 ELD50) of vNDV was inoculated in broilers of positive control, COE-1, COE-2, and COE-3 groups intramuscularly. During this study, growth performance, morbidity, and mortality rates of each study group were recorded. The antibody titer against NDV was determined on days 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35. The levels of immunoglobulins (IgY and IgM) were also determined on the 7th, 14th, and 21st days post-sheep red blood cells (SRBCs) inoculation. On day 33, avian tuberculin was injected between the 1st and 2nd toes of the left side (intradermally) to measure lymphoproliferative responses. On day 35, the phagocytic activity in the blood was assessed through a carbon clearance assay by injecting carbon black ink into the right-wing vein. The visceral organs having gross lesions were also collected for histopathology. The COE significantly improved the growth performance, and lowered the morbidity and mortality rates of broilers. There was a significant rise in antibody titers against NDV and levels of IgY and IgM antibodies against SRBC in COE-supplemented broilers. The lymphoproliferative response and phagocytic activity were also enhanced. Among COEsupplemented groups, the broilers of the COE-3 group showed a significant increase in growth performance and boosted immune defense. Coconut oil extract has the potential to boost the growth performance and immune status of broilers. It can be used effectively as a feed additive and alternative to antibiotics to prevent the spread of infectious poultry pathogens.

Thermoelastic wave generation and its longitudinal wave propagation measurement by a microscopic optical interferometer

Laser ultrasonics is a noncontact measurement method that uses a laser-induced elastic wave source in combination with an optical surface displacement-tracking system. This study compared the performances of two optical interferometers with different characteristics when applied to measurement of pulsed thermoelastic waves. The surface displacement-tracking system was designed to measure the center of the microscopic view. A pulsed laser beam irradiated a black ink layer to generate the thermoelastic waves. The out-of-plane displacement on the axially opposite side was then measured using either a Michelson interferometer or a Sagnac interferometer. The objective lens of the system was of a type commonly used in biological observations. The Michelson interferometer estimated a maximum displacement of 0.43 nm and a maximum sound pressure of 24.7 kPa. The signal-to-noise ratios from 16 averages were 14.9 dB (Michelson interferometer) and 19.2 dB (Sagnac interferometer). Furthermore, this paper compares the performance of the numerically estimated Sagnac interferometer outputs calculated from the measured Michelson interferometer outputs with the experimentally obtained Sagnac interferometer outputs. The numerically estimated Sagnac interferometer’s output was shown to be identical to the experimentally acquired output. The Michelson interferometer requires a higher average operating frequency (i.e., it needs a longer data acquisition time), although this interferometer does offer superior displacement output linearity. This property enables calculation of the sound pressure from the displacement amplitude. These findings indicated that combination of the measurement points of the Sagnac interferometer with those of the sparsely distributed Michelson interferometer reduced the measurement time when compared with a single use of the Michelson interferometer while also maintaining the data acquisition quality.

안악 3호분 벽화의 중원 색채와 그 의의

The main content of the mural painting of Anak Tomb No. 3, a tomb which belongs to the emergent stage of Goguryeo mural tombs, is the life of the tomb owner in his life. It is the same with the mural tombs of China from the Eastern-Han Dynasty. Anak Tomb No. 3 is quite similar to the mural tombs of central China and Liaoyang in terms of the structure of the tomb, as well as the composition and content of the mural painting. Various prestige goods such as a type of cart (通幰車), drapes and a tent (帷帳), a folding screen and flat bench (屛榻), a type of pole (節), a type of folding fan (麈尾扇) depicted on the mural painting of Anak Tomb No.3 represent the official rank, written in black ink on the mural painting of this tomb’s owner, and these contents are the same as those of the mural tombs of central China which are of the same level. This presence of objects originating from central China found on the mural painting of Anak Tomb No.3 and Deokheungri tomb indicates that the Daedong River Estuary basin (which includes the Pyongyang area) maintained a different social and cultural aspect from the Jian area, until the Goguryeo capital was relocated from Jian to Pyongyang in 427. There is a view that Dong Su was not the owner of the tomb, but a gate guard (門吏) written as “Jang Ha Dok” (帳下督) on the wall of the entrance of the western chamber. “Jang Ha Dok” is a subordinate official belonging to the first to third rank of the Wei-Jin Period. According to an ink handwriting record, Dong Su’s rank corresponds to the second to third official rank of the Wei-Jin Period. Therefore, Dong Su cannot be regarded as “Jang Ha Dok”. A type of pole called “jul” (節) on the mural painting reflects the office of “Sa Ji Jul” (使持節) written in black ink. In addition, the oxcart with the tomb owner is a type of cart called Tong Hun Gu (通幰車), which the second to third official rank rode. Therefore, it is most reasonable to regard the owner of Anak Tomb No. 3 as Dong Su, as is written in black ink.

Abstract 6166: A whole-organ ex vivo optical imaging technique for non-destructive, more precise identification of serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC) in fallopian tubes

Abstract Objective With the recent discovery of the fallopian tube (FT) origin of the most common and lethal type of ovarian cancer, high grade serous cancer (HGSC), engineering solutions to overcome the limitations of standard histopathology to more reliably identify incipient HGSCs and their serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC) precursors are much needed. This investigation tests the potential of whole-organ ex vivo optical imaging of freshly excised FTs to label and sample abnormal tubal epithelium prior to formalin fixation and paraffin embedding for standard histopathology. Methods This investigation prototyped “OVASEEK”, a whole-organ, near-infrared optical imaging platform for identification of STICs. This prospective biospecimen protocol with annotated clinical data was approved by the IRB. Following salpingectomy at the time of hysterectomy for benign indications, FTs from study participants are longitudinally bivalved. Half of the FT is retained for routine evaluation using the Sectioning and Extensively Examining the Fimbriated end (SEE-FIM) protocol by Johns Hopkins gynecologic pathologists (Gyn Path), while the other half is sent overnight in organ transplant media to MIT for imaging on OVASEEK. Hyperspectral “label free” first pass imaging is performed using a series of band-pass filters. Second pass fluorescence imaging is then performed using nanoparticles tagged with anti-LAMC1 antibodies targeting laminin γ1, a known STIC surface marker. Abnormal signal(s) on OVASEEK imaging of the FT epithelium are tattooed with black ink, the tissue is formalin fixed and returned to Gyn Path for serial sectioning. Research findings are reported in an addendum to the formal pathology report in the electronic medical record and discussed with the patient by the gynecologic oncologist co-investigator. Results OVASEEK enabled non-destructive imaging over a wide field-of-view ~ 12×12 cm, with features of interest in the 1,050-1,550 nm range. In this pilot study, OVASEEK identified histopathologic abnormalities missed by standard SEE-FIM in 20% of FTs (n=2 out of 10). In each case, OVASEEK found microscopic (~200 µm) foci of salpingitis, a lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate consistent with inflammation. Performance of serial sectioning and histopathologic examination of the tattooed epithelium yielded this diagnosis. Conclusion Work is ongoing to improve the resolution, speed and sensitivity of OVASEEK for STIC detection. Identification of µm-sized foci of inflammation using OVASEEK is proof-of-principle that whole-organ ex vivo imaging of freshly excised FTs may be an innovation that improves the diagnostic performance of routine histopathology. Accurate and reproducible diagnosis of STIC and concurrent microscopic HGSC is imperative to the understanding of the early pathogenesis of HGSC in clinically actionable ways. Citation Format: Neelkanth M. Bardhan, Vivek Rastogi, Rebecca L. Stone, Angela M. Belcher. A whole-organ ex vivo optical imaging technique for non-destructive, more precise identification of serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC) in fallopian tubes [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 6166.