Deep-learning recognition and tracking of individual nanotubes in low-contrast microscopy videos

TL;DR

This paper presents a deep learning method using Mask-RCNN to automatically recognize and track individual carbon nanotubes in low-contrast microscopy videos, improving data extraction efficiency and reproducibility.

Contribution

It introduces an automated deep learning approach tailored for low-contrast microscopy videos to analyze nanotube growth kinetics, enhancing throughput and accuracy.

Findings

Consistent with manual measurements

Increased data processing throughput

Applicable to other in-situ microscopy studies

Abstract

This study addresses the challenge of analyzing the growth kinetics of carbon nanotubes using in-situ homodyne polarization microscopy (HPM) by developing an automated deep learning (DL) approach. A Mask-RCNN architecture, enhanced with a ResNet-50 backbone, was employed to recognize and track individual nanotubes in microscopy videos, significantly improving the efficiency and reproducibility of kinetic data extraction. The method involves a series of video processing steps to enhance contrast and used differential treatment techniques to manage low signal and fast kinetics. The DL model demonstrates consistency with manual measurements and increased throughput, laying the foundation for statistical studies of nanotube growth. The approach can be adapted for other types of in-situ microscopy studies, emphasizing the importance of automation in high-throughput data acquisition for research on individual nano-objects.