Operational Protocols for Efficient Characterization of Arrays of Deposited Fineparticles by Robotic Image Analysis Systems

Abstract

Efficient characterization of the size distribution of a sample of fineparticles as viewed through a microscope requires the estimate of the population frequency in each size group. To achieve comparable efficiency in each section of the population an automated system (cybernetic instrument) should initially search large areas of a field of view to establish the range of sizes to be characterized and then establish an appropriate search algorithm for each size group so that the confidence to be placed in the data can be predicted. Procedures for automating this so called "Stratified count strategy" are discussed.