Patent-pending algorithm combines laptop imaginative and prescient, coloration science and optical spectroscopy
Purdue University researcher Young Kim and his staff have mixed laptop imaginative and prescient, coloration science and optical spectroscopy to create an algorithm that recovers detailed spectral info from conventional pictures. (Purdue University picture/Vincent Walter)
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Professionals in agriculture, protection and safety, environmental monitoring, meals high quality evaluation, industrial high quality management, and medical diagnostics may gain advantage from a patent-pending innovation that opens new potentialities of conventional pictures for optical spectroscopy and hyperspectral imaging.
Young Kim, Purdue University professor, University Faculty Scholar and Showalter Faculty Scholar, and postdoctoral analysis affiliate Semin Kwon of the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering created an algorithm that recovers detailed spectral info from pictures taken by conventional cameras. The analysis combines laptop imaginative and prescient, coloration science and optical spectroscopy.
“A photograph is more than just an image; it contains abundant hyperspectral information,” Kim stated. “We are one of the pioneering research groups to integrate computational spectrometry and spectroscopic analyses for biomedical and other applications.”
A paper about the team’s research has been revealed within the peer-reviewed journal IEEE Transactions on Image Processing.
Kim disclosed the innovation to the Purdue Innovates Office of Technology Commercialization, which has utilized for a patent to guard the mental property. Industry companions thinking about creating or commercializing the algorithm ought to contact Patrick Finnerty, assistant director of enterprise improvement and licensing — life sciences, at [email protected] about observe codes 70097, 70251, 70322 and 70335.

Generalizability and ease
Kwon stated the work emphasizes recovering the arbitrary spectrum of a pattern quite than solely counting on particular data-driven studying or pretrained algorithms, which excel solely in preset duties and samples.
The staff’s technique makes use of an algorithmically designed coloration reference chart and device-informed computation to recuperate spectral info from RGB values acquired utilizing conventional cameras, similar to off-the-shelf smartphones.
“Importantly, the spectral resolution — around 1.5 nanometers — is highly comparable to that of scientific spectrometers and hyperspectral imagers,” Kwon stated. “Scientific-grade spectrometers have fine spectral resolution to distinguish narrow spectral features. This is critical in applications like biomedical optics, material analysis and color science, where even small wavelength shifts can lead to different interpretations.”
Kim stated one benefit the Purdue technique has over conventional expertise is its algorithmic generalizability.
“From an algorithmic standpoint, to the best of our knowledge, our paper presents the first computational spectrometry method with 1.5-nm spectral resolution using a photograph of an arbitrary sample without relying on specific training data or predetermined algorithms,” he stated.
Kwon stated one other benefit of the Purdue technique is its {hardware} simplicity.
“Many mobile spectrometers require additional accessories and bulky components as mandatory attachments to smartphones,” he stated. “In contrast, our method leverages the built-in camera of the smartphone. We envision that our general computational photography spectrometry will change how industry uses smartphones.”
Validation and subsequent steps
Kim and Kwon are at the moment utilizing the algorithm as a basis for digital and cellular well being functions in each home and resource-limited settings.
“Photography is central to these applications, but color distortion has posed a persistent challenge, which is why we are focusing on these settings,” Kim stated. “This algorithm provides a basis for quantifying and correcting colors, enhancing the reliability of medical diagnostics.”
About Purdue Innovates Office of Technology Commercialization
The Purdue Innovates Office of Technology Commercialization operates probably the most complete expertise switch applications amongst main analysis universities within the U.S. Services offered by this workplace assist the financial improvement initiatives of Purdue University and profit the college’s educational actions by means of commercializing, licensing and defending Purdue mental property. In fiscal yr 2024, the workplace reported 145 offers finalized with 224 applied sciences signed, 466 invention disclosures acquired, and 290 U.S. and worldwide patents acquired. The workplace is managed by the Purdue Research Foundation, a non-public, nonprofit basis created to advance the mission of Purdue University. Contact [email protected] for extra info.
About Purdue University
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