University Of Alberta Researchers Develop Virtual Reflected Light Microscopy System

A team of researchers at the University of Alberta have developed a 3-D imaging system known as Virtual Reflected-Light Microscopy.

This system comprises a normal optical microscope, a source of light, a platform which moves the objects that are being captured and software programs that derive the reflectance and shape of images and convert them into three-dimensional images. To view the images, viewers need to wear normal paper three-dimensional glasses. They can also reposition the light source by using their web browser. The research team consisted of engineering professor Dileepan Joseph and two graduate students.

The imaging system was tested on core samples of sand and rock taken from under the floor of the Pacific Ocean. The sand and rock taken here is believed to be 60 million years old. The microscope was used to take pictures of the microfossils and protozoa that were present in the core sample. This system can help in identifying various new species of small microfossils since it provides enhanced and complete images to geoscientists and computer programs. The imaging system can also be used to date earth samples such as rock in order to determine the age of prehistoric fossils and to detect resources of energy. The researchers at the university foresee the imaging system to be used in various other applications.