Extending the dynamic range of fibre length and fibre aspect ratios by automated image analysis

An automatic image analysis system has been developed, that is capable of s canning a large sample area (70 mm x 70 mm) using transmitted light microsc opy. The analysis, based on transparent algorithms, successfully discrimina tes between overlapping and touching fibres, so that sample preparation tim e is minimized. The system utilizes overlapping image frames to reconstruct partial fibre images and impart unique fibre length information in the ran ge micrometres to millimetres. The software has been made adaptable to enab le the accurate measurement of fibre lengths for fibres that curve over man y millimetres. Data are presented illustrating the accurate measurement of fibre lengths over a large range of fibre aspect ratios.