According to estimates made by the Robert Koch Institute in Berlin there are approximately 400,000 people who get cancer annually in Germany and 210,000 die of it each year as well. Cancer is the second-most frequent cause of death in Germany, following cardio-vascular disease. A new testing method is being used in the quest for new active substances for fighting cancer. This test determines fast and reliably whether a substance affects the growth of blood vessels – a critical aspect of fighting cancerous tumors. Using image analysis software makes the testing procedure convenient for use on a routine basis.

The importance of a small part can sometimes become surprisingly obvious. Airbags in cars save lives – as long as they inflate immediately in a crash. One small, hidden part is decisive. The airbag air valves are very sophisticated, high-tech devices which must function absolutely perfectly. Digital image analysis is used in quality assurance, making sure that defective valves are detected in time and rejected.

Asbestos was popular and used a lot in construction up into the 1970s due to its chemical stability, heat resistance and high electrical and thermal insulation properties. However, then it was determined that asbestos can cause lung cancer. The problem is that, because of their size, asbestos fibers are considered “critical dimension fibers” (length >5 µm, diameter < 3 µm, length/diameter ratio > 3:1). Fibers of these dimensions can enter the lungs and, as they are not bio-degradable, they are especially dangerous. One example of how digital image analysis is used, is determining the extent of the risk posed by asbestos removal.

Hardened coatings improve the surface properties of all kinds of components. They help to significantly extend the lifespan of metal tools.  Each industrial field has its own specific quality assurance standards.  When it comes to coating done by subcontractors, a comprehensive assessment of the protective coatings applied is required. This is done via automated microscope image analysis.

Defective brakes can be fatal. Planes, cars, motorcycles, bicycles and inline skates manufactures and their suppliers are required to ensure unquestionable quality for the entire brake system. This includes investigating the material from which the brake liners are made for possible inhomogeneities. This is because these may considerably affect the dependability of the brakes. Digital image analysis helps to optimize and simplify these investigations.

Printing rollers are one of the most important components of today’s printing machines. High-tech microscopy in conjunction with image analysis methods are capable of checking the quality of the surface of a printing roller in a non-destructive way. An enlarged image of the surface structure is displayed and measured on the PC screen and in 3D. The key parameters are the depth, area and volume of the tiny color cups on the roller surface.

When it comes time to buy a new car, you sure don’t want it to rust. And why not have it shine in a unique cobalt blue? You don’t want the surface of your desk to scratch – and would like it to have a special mother-of-pearl sheen. You want the garden fence to stand up to wind and weather – and to be more attractive than your neighbor’s. Specially developed lacquer paints are just the thing for fulfilling all these wishes. They offer a mechanical refinement of the surface as well as enhancing it visually. The very particular color properties of these paints and of individual pigments can be reliably, objectively and quickly measured and documented right during production – thanks to digital image analysis.

“100% natural”, “organic”, “unsprayed”, “untreated”, “direct off the farm”, “from free-range chickens”, “organically controlled agriculture” – all these and a confusing myriad of other similar slogans are used by food companies to attract the attention of nutrition-conscious consumers. Food companies often create their own handy seal of quality. Inspections independent of the companies are necessary. This is where image analysis steps in. Honey is one example.  Systematic analysis of pollen grains found in honey is a way of discovering that different types of honeys have been blended – although the label claims it all came from the same source.

Titanium dioxide powder is the white pigment most frequently used for paints, plastics, cosmetics and paper. It is used in car paint, house paint, thermoses, computer housing, office and home furniture, ski jackets, white and colored paper and lipstick. The reason is that titanium dioxide has the highest refractive index of any known material. The decisive property is the size distribution of the powder particles. Scientists determine this using automatic particle analysis with electron- microscope images.

Determining how to convert the most recent discoveries in the nano-sciences into innovative semiconductor technology is a question today’s semiconductor industry is faced with again and again. One challenge is to produce nano-sized components – which would propel the entire information technology field forward in a huge way. Image analysis methods assist researchers in analyzing measurement data on new lithographic processes quickly and inexpensively.

In Germany, it is really important to make sure that beer is fresh and germ-free. A new, fast  microbiological detection test takes advantage of the latest in dye methods, microscopy and digital image analysis. Results are available so quickly that the tests can be used to manage production. The data obtained offers additional valuable information on weak spots in the production, bottling and sanitizing processes.

... may the Lord preserve them! Aside from divine intervention, there are more earthly ways of making sure the malt is of the quality required. If the quality is subpar, this can result in filtration problems during the brewing process and cause cloudiness during storage. In addition to complex chemical procedures, digital image analysis has opened the way to new avenues of ingredient quality control. These innovative procedures provide the brewer with valuable information regarding possible processing risks of the malt being used. Processing problems thus become foreseeable.

Ice cream tastes and sells best when it melts creamily on your tongue. No big surprise that ice cream manufacturers measure the precise temperature at which ice cream melts in testers’ mouths. The latest microscope methods are exploited as well. The creaminess of ice cream depends on the size and distribution of ice crystals and air voids. These parameters can be investigated superbly using digital image analysis – with mouth-watering results.

Is it benign or malignant? That’s the first question that comes up when a growth is discovered by the doctor. The answer is generally provided by a pathologist entrusted with a tissue sample. In order to diagnose the type and severity of a possible illness, the sample is investigated using a light microscope or an electron microscope. Diagnoses can be made faster and with much greater reliability with digital image analysis in conjunction with reference images stored in a digital image database.

Caoutchouc, otherwise known as rubber, possesses elastic properties at room temperature. This makes it an important raw material for many fields of industry, such as the tire industry. When it is refined further, care must be taken to ensure that the raw rubber has the required physical and chemical properties. X-ray microanalysis and image analysis methods visualize the smallest particles in the caoutchouc as well as chemically analyzing them and measuring them.

Kitchen stoves, refrigerators, freezers, dish washers and washing machines are all subject to strict quality regulations. For the money they invest, customers expect safe, long-lasting devices that do what they’re supposed to – easily and reliably. This is why manufacturers assemble detailed inspection procedures both for the development and production of their products. Take the oven, for example. One decisive quality indicator with ovens is how evenly heat is distributed throughout the oven. The best way of measuring this is to use little test cakes in combination with automated evaluation.

It is almost impossible to realize what it means to lose one’s sight unless one is actually affected personally. A wide range of diseases can endanger one’s vision. The retina is particularly sensitive and must be examined precisely when it may be at risk. Image analysis software with integrated image and patient databases greatly simplifies the diagnosis using quantitative measurements of digital images of the retina. This makes it possible to document the entire diagnosis and treatment process in an easy-to-access way.

Parkinson’s is a disease that progresses slowly, attacking the central nervous system. Uncontrollable shaking, stiffened muscles and slowed movement are three of the main symptoms. The actual causes of the disease remain unclear. What is the significance of iron accumulating in the midbrain of Parkinson’s patients? Ultrathin sections of diseased brain tissue are investigated by an electron microscope and quantitatively evaluated by digital image analysis. The goal is to obtain a better understanding of the connection between iron accumulation and cell degeneration.

Long before laser copiers were invented, copies were made. Important writings or images were copied by hand and reproduced in this way. These copies, however, often varied slightly in comparison with the original - whether intentionally or not - sometimes for political or religious reasons.  This was also the case with printed copies. There was no guarantee that two essentially identical works were in fact identical as the plates used to print with were alterable. Using digital image analysis it is now possible to trace these differences precisely and easily.

Optimized cleansing power and an environmental bonus due to lesser amounts required for washing. This means lower weights being transported and an altogether reduced environmental impact. All this is true for one of the most successful and innovative detergents of recent times – Megaperls, produced by Henkel of Germany. In order to optimize critical physical-chemical parameters, image analysis methods such as particle analysis helped in the development of this uniquely effective product.

Infectious diseases are one of the greatest global threats to human health. Young children and the elderly are usually at particular risk. Rising levels of air travel facilitate the spreading of endemic diseases all around the world. Pre-emptive vaccinations save the lives of three million people every year. Image analysis plays a major role in the development and quality control of these innovative and life-saving vaccines.

Many textile manufacturers have brand guidelines guaranteeing high product quality. This is critical to establish a high-quality brand image and to ensure market share. Guidelines enforce rigorous demands on the raw materials used as well as the finished product. Fiber quality is inspected using microscopes. Digital image processing ensures that time and expenses are minimized and that any errors in production are dealt with immediately.

Materials used for insulation made of rock wool or glass wool are subject to exacting quality standards. For use in houses, office buildings, overland pipelines and ship manufacturing they must provide maximum heat, sound and fire protection/insulation. Image analysis is used to quantitatively investigate fiber structure and thus contributes to the development and ongoing quality assurance of these products.

Cosmetic products are intended to make people more attractive as well as provide care and protection. In order to be able to fulfill these high expectations, possible effects and tolerances have to be carefully tested. The effectiveness of the ingredients and the stability of the entire product depend on the carrier agents. Liposomes are often used for this purpose. Image analysis is used to determine the characteristic properties of the liposomes – structure, shape, size and distribution. Image analysis thus helps to systematically guarantee the quality of cosmetic products.

Suppliers of the automobile industry are under enormous pressure to cut costs and reduce delivery times. Top quality at a bargain price is expected. Any time a supplier cannot fulfill these expectations, another competitor is not far away. This is why efficient workflows are vital, including highly efficient quality checks to locate subpar parts fast and reliably. Image analysis procedures make all this possible and thus create cost advantages.

In the 19th century increased levels of mobility, rising population levels and remarkably fast industrialization led to rising crime rates in urban areas. 1896 was the first time police used dogs. In the 20th century, increasingly scientific methods were applied, leading to the birth of a new and systematic approach to fighting crime: criminology. Being able to evaluate fingerprints, analyzing DNA samples along with microscopic and image analysis methods has meant that the rate of crimes solved has gone up markedly.

In the aviation industry, passenger safety is top priority. This is one reason why the aircraft manufacturing industry invests so much money into new materials and optimized processing methods. The Airbus vertical tail unit is made of a special carbon-fiber reinforced compound  material. During production this material is put through a demanding series of tests. Part of this series involves fully automatic particle analysis, which detects any possible voids within the homogeneous carbon fiber and provides a reliable and comprehensive analysis of fibers, resin and pores.

Improving the reliability of diagnoses is an ongoing challenge for the field of clinical-experimental research. Take gynecology and obstetrics, for example. Endometriosis is an abnormal yet benign occurrence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus. Digital image analysis with its widely varied analysis and documentation capabilities helps both in researching causes as well as optimizing diagnostic methods.

Non-destructive investigative methods are in particular demand in serial production. In the automobile industry, cylindrical sleeves of prefabricated engine blocks require inspection. These sleeves have been extensively treated or coated on their interior walls. A cylinder inspection system uses digital image analysis to non-destructively investigate the surface properties of these curved interior walls.

Acid rain is considered one of the main causes behind widespread tree death during the past few decades. When a conifer’s photosynthesis capacity is damaged due to pollutants, the tree’s needles turn yellow.  Electron microscope images of chloroplasts from these needles can be investigated via automated image analysis regarding specific morpho-logical parameters. The data thus obtained helps to understand the yellowing process more precisely and develop proposals for saving forests.

Fiber optics offer distinct telecommunication advantages. They are insensitive to electro-magnetic fields, cannot be bugged, are heat resistant and not affected by adverse weather conditions. They can be installed practically anywhere and offer lossless and non-destructive data transmission. The prerequisite for this is to minimize possible material defects during production. Digital image analysis takes care of this by quantifying defects in the production process – well before installation.

Metallographic investigations are the indispensable foundation for developing materials and assuring their quality. To begin with, a metallographic characterization of the material’s microstructure (type of inclusion, precipitation condition, corrosion type, grain size) frequently sheds light on the material’s peculiarities and properties. Possible defects are detected and possible solutions determined. This is of particular importance with regard to investigations of damage and defective materials. Most of this data is obtained using image analysis.

Damage assessment often involves detective work. Fractured surfaces and cracked edges viewed under a microscope are like fingerprints for metal experts analyzing a damaged metal component, indicating the cause of the damage. Identifying unknown residues is also a helpful clue, putting experts on the right track. Digital imaging, image analysis and efficient archiving of all images, data and documents belonging to a case are the damage detectives’ tools.

No time to lose! In the fight against highly infectious animal diseases, this is definitely the case. The animals suffer, economic damages for agricultural and retail business skyrocket in the millions. In some cases, people are endangered by infection as well. The bird flu that struck large areas of Europe in the first half of 2003 had many people worried. Approximately 30 million chickens, geese and ducks had to be exterminated. In order to obtain reliable diagnoses fast, today’s virologists work digitally and use digital image analysis.

Being seen means being safe – especially on a dark street at night. Having special reflective clothing made of retroreflective materials is an important safety factor for firemen and women and others that are on the streets when it is dark or at twilight. These materials reflect the headlights of oncoming cars brightly and thus give drivers more time to react accordingly. This retroreflection phenomenon is caused by microscopic glass globules embedded in a special plastic film. Image analysis is used for quality control of the plastic film and of the glass globules.

Why is it that some people are more prone to stress than others? Evidently, when people have experienced something traumatic early on in life, this can be detrimental to their ability to handle stress – and this remains true for their entire lives. Medical researchers are examining this kind of trauma at the molecular level. Their goal is to develop new medication to combat depression and other related syndromes having to do with stress. Image analysis software is used to digitize and evaluate images of tissue samples.

The types and amount of algae growing in a body of water make it possible to draw conclusions on the water quality. This is of particular importance when it comes to obtaining drinking water. Digital image analysis offers automatic investigation of the algae, tremendously simplifying and speeding up the entire process. This makes it much easier to interpret chemical analyses. What is determined is the type of algae, its volume and what fraction of the biovolume it occupies in the entire water sample. This makes keeping track of and predicting how water quality develops over time so much easier.

Sparkling clear water, clean air and soil – these are the main goals of environmental protection. A widespread problem is the presence of heavy metals in farm fields, pastures and building sites. Most plants suffer a kind of ‘heavy-metal stress’ in this kind of soil and do not grow well. However, there are a number of plants that simply accumulate these metals in their leaves without being damaged one iota. How do they manage that?  Perhaps they could be used as soil scrubbers. For their research, plant biochemists use electron microscopes and image analysis.

Any company producing, selling or importing herbicides must first apply for official authorization from the government agency responsible for consumer protection and for food and health safety. It may be necessary to have a toxicological investigation conducted. The foremost goal is to establish that the substance is not harmful to people’s health. These tests are generally extensive but can be significantly simplified by using semi-automated or fully automated image analysis methods.

Today’s animal breeder no longer relies on plain ‘good luck’. One decisive factor involved in breeding animals successfully is the fertility of the male animals. This makes dependable predictions regarding fertility (fertility prognoses) practically worth their weight in gold. Reproduction scientists are working on optimized tests and combinations of tests for assessing sperm samples. Digital image analysis is the tool they use to evaluate the microscopic images.

Diabetes mellitus, a form of diabetes that can cause alterations to retinal circulation and alimentation. The light-sensitive nerve cells (photo-receptors) may stop functioning properly and blindness can result.  Symptoms include the occurrence of what are known as exudates, an amassing of serous matter in the retina. Image analysis offers automatic analysis of these exudates, a great help in tracking the progression of the disease. Comparing older and more recent images of the changed condition of the retina is much easier.

Greenhouse gases – carbon dioxide in particular – are evidently the primary reasons behind climatic change on a global scale. Trees are capable of absorbing and binding carbon-dioxide from the air. This makes tropical forests with their high biomass reserves extremely important for climate stability on a global scale.  Questions arise regarding whether total conservation or long-term sustainable usage are preferable. Obtaining answers means getting scientific data on the growth dynamics of tropical trees. This data is being obtained and made accessible worldwide using digital image databases.