Automated Material Identification and Classification System (AMICS)
Mineral and Material Characterization Automation
The Automated Material Identification and Classification System (AMICS) is a 4th generation automated mineral identification system. Automated Mineralogy/Materials identification software streamlines data collection and classification of phases utilizing large area mapping and smart placement of energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS) analysis points. This technology is utilized for minerals and materials characterization for discovery and optimization in industries like mineral exploration, mining, mineral processing, materials discovery, cement, nanotechnology, and manufacturing.
AMICS is a fully integrated system utilizing the advanced Bruker EDS configured and incorporated into Hitachi’s SEM platforms. It is designed for flexibility and speed, with full integration of the SEM and EDS and unlimited customization with 5 modes for data collection automation. The AMICS software is also optimized to build and apply classification methods quickly. This fully developed and proven system is ready for high-throughput production industrial and precise academic workflows.
Key Features
- A unified system linking imaging (BSE, CL) and analytical (EDS, microXRF) with custom electronic for large area mapping.
- Available on many SEM systems from compact system, full-size tungsten systems, or field emissions systems.
- Ten measurement modes utilizing computer vision technology and best-in-industry image segmentation.
- Project management system and measurement templates for fast setup.
- Whole stage navigation image.
- High-throughput classification to transform images into quantified mineral or material maps
- Simple and robust spectrum classification with spectrum matching and spectrum filter/clustering trees.
- Hieratical classification for multi-step classification routines
- High-throughput classification and exports with batch processing.
- Over 40,000 mineral or material spectra in a comprehensive database.
- Grouping to display critical information and remove the clutter.
- Quantify results to make better decisions
- Transform images into data with modal material, calculated assay, grain size and particle size distribution, density distribution, mineral liberation by area or free surface, mineral locking, mineral grade recovery, and more.
- Elemental visualization and quantification with summing of lower-count spectra for improved signal-to-noise ratio and better limit of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ).
- Apply standardless or standards-based qualification on a material-by-material basis for true whole-measurement matrix-matched quantification.
- Extract particle and grain information, classify either with rules-based classification, and display as lithology or material type.
- Fully customizable and comprehensive reporting with dashboards and automatic reports
- Automatically combine replicates and splits in the project management system.
- Update calculation results to a portable binary file after each classification without publishing or exporting.
- Customizable layouts for automatically updating dashboards with any chart or table.
- Automate PDF report generation with fully customizable layouts.
- Open-source file format and Python toolkit for advanced scientific development
- All binary files are open source, so the user retains full access to the data.
- Use our Python toolkit to bring data into a Pandas data frame for any custom work.
- F.A.I.R. data principals with accessible metadata.
SEM Platforms
AMICS is an integrated system meaning we work closely with the engineering teams at both Hitachi and Bruker to develop unique and specially configured hardware, as well as customizing the AMICS software to be optimized for the platform. The hardware package consists of:
- Variable pressure Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) with a large chamber
- Unique sample holders
- Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS)
- Specially configured scan generator that automates the electron beam
- Advanced EDS signal processing
A wide range of SEM platforms from Hitachi High-Tech have been integrated to work with AMICS.
Compact SEMs
The FlexSEM 1000 II SEM with AMICS is a powerful yet compact microscope, perfect for forward deployment situations. The EDS is completely enclosed within the case to prevent accidental damage. The entire SEM can run off 110 V to 250 V, 50-60 hz wall power, and utilizes a single PC for EDS/AMICS and the SEM. In this compact and robust package is an SEM with the power and resolution of much larger SEMs. With a chamber that can accommodate four 30 mm round samples or six (6) 1-inch (25 mm) round samples, the FlexSEM 1000 ii is perfect for a field office, a single research group, or an on-site lab.
Tungsten Systems
The SU3800/SU3900 Series Variable-Pressure SEM is the flagship AMICS platform, a high-throughput industrial-scale automated mineralogy system with a large-chamber variable-pressure SEM from Hitachi and Bruker 60 mm2 EDS. The system has a stage travel of 150 mm x 150 mm and has also been designed from the ground up with automatic functions that allow any technician-level operator to use it easily.
Field Emission Systems
AMICS native systems are available with the SU5000 and SU7000 Schottky Field Emission SEMs (FE-SEMs). While automated mineralogy rarely uses the increased resolution offered by the FE system, automated mineralogy labs often select FE systems to maintain longer periods of continuous operations and a brighter, more stable beam. AMICS may also be added to a wide range of Schottky and cold-field field-emission gun (FEG) systems for researchers who seek to add automated mineralogy to systems for central laboratories, nanotechnology facilities, or specialized systems for research.
Data Collection
AMICS is a Unified System: Fully integrated hardware with SEM, EDS, Signal Processor, and Scan Generator designed for high-throughput solutions. Available on a wide range of systems from compact SEMs to high-throughput FE-SEMs.
The AMICS holder designer allows any existing SEM holder to be loaded into AMICS, and the user has full control over designing the holder. This allows you to analyze items like thin sections, epoxy mounts, or polished slabs. AMICS comes with a range of standard holders that can accommodate most commercial holders.
AMICS fully automates the data collection process. The technology enables autonomous decision making to optimize data collection based on the sample’s conditions. AMICS automates the stage movement and image collection for each frame. The system extracts background based on BSE range, and then places EDS analysis points based on computer vision technology. After EDS data is collected the system can use material matching or elemental information to optimize data collection of specific user-defined phases.
AMICS has 10 large-area mapping measurement modes. (Click each image to see descriptions.)
Large Area Imaging:
Image mosaics with backscatter electron (BSE) with quantified greyscale set with standards. Results in a high-quality image mosaic with stabilized BSE.
Segmentation Mapping:
Use computer vision technology to segment the image and take an EDS point to represent that area. Faster mapping with more accurate grain boundaries. Typically, the fastest full mapping mode.
Elemental Triggers:
Switch to matrix mapping and change the measurement conditions when an element is detected. Can be used for detailed analysis or quantification of target elements or traces.
Segment Size Triggers:
Fill segments with a matrix map to capture the original segment boundary but fully capture variability that may not be present in the BSE image. Can also be used to replace areas with lots of small segments with a grid of points for more regular data collection.
Material Triggers:
Change the measurement settings when a target mineral or material is identified. For example, use to switch to longer matrix mapping to quantify an entire crystal of a target mineral phase.
Secondary Image:
Collect more than one image channel at the same time in all modes except hypermap. For example, the Ultra Variable-pressure Detector (UVD) can be used to see some types of CL response in Zircon, or SE (secondary electron) can be used to avoid cracks when placing downstream analysis points.
Line EDS Mapping:
A very quick mapping mode that combines high-quality imaging with line scans for EDS points. This mode is excellent for a quick estimation of modal mineral and elemental content for exploration samples.
Matrix:
Place points in equally spaced grid, avoiding background. This is a traditional mapping mode and can be used to make a false-color material map at a different resolution from the BSE map.
Rare Phase Search:
Use triggers to search for one or more BSE or elemental ranges. AMICS rare search can use different quality scans for search mode followed by detailed analysis of particles or area of interest (AOI). Can be used with image scan to identify bright or dark phases or with hypermap to identify elemental areas.
Hypermap Search:
High-sped continuous scan with pixels integrated over a set area. Results in a false color classified map and BSE map at the same resolution. Excellent for fine-grained materials mapped at high resolution.
Classification
AMICS has a comprehensive and extensive classification system that uses the image characteristics, spectrum characteristics, and spectrum matching to generate false-color classified maps. This map can then be quantified to transform image information into mission-critical information. Some important features include:
- Automate Classification: Automate the tedious mineral identification and classification task. AMICS’ Whole Spectrum Best Match spectral matching algorithm provides the best match to a list of reference spectra. Matching can be further customized with rules-based spectral classification designed in the Spectrum Tree and Touch-up Steps.
- Classify Particles: Apply rules-based classification to further classify grains and particles. This allows the system to report not just on mineral or material composition, but also on the lithology or material type.
- Work offline: AMICS Process can be installed on a workstation separate from the SEM, freeing up resources and allowing for a computer optimized for high-performance computing. AMICS comes with an offline license, and more can be purchased. Ask for special rates to equip computer labs for teaching and student research.
AMICS uses whole spectrum best match (WSBM) matching where each unknown is matched to every reference spectrum and a spectral distance is calculated. Spectra match when the spectral distance is below the set threshold. This is the approach familiar from many automated minerology systems. AMICS improves on this approach with a unique hierarchical classification system where standards can be grouped as high-normal, and low priority. Within each class all the groups and all of the spectra are matched using WSBM. However, matches at a higher priority cannot be re-matched by a lower priority, allowing for a more comprehensive approach.
Following matching, spectrum tree classification steps or touch-up steps can be used to further classify and split classifications. This results in a comprehensive classification workflow capable of characterizing even hard-to-differentiate phases like iron oxide or battery cathode active material (CAM).
The spectrum tree allows for detailed classification, including using previous matching steps as an input. AMICS can have unlimited specialized matching steps, like the one above designed to identify high organic matter areas, highlighted in the image below.
Quantification
AMICS collects and stores the EDS spectrum to enable full quantification. The user can design and apply any standard-based or standardless quantification method in Bruker ESPRIT in AMICS and assign a specific matrix-matched method to each material.
With AMICS you can:
- Sum and quantify a reference spectrum or a summed super spectrum, which comprises all x-rays identified as the target material, providing the most accurate elemental values possible.
- View elemental maps as gross counts, net counts (element after background subtraction), or quantified value (Qmap).
- View elemental distribution by segment, grain, or particle to view elemental values at the level that will most impact your process.
- Assign a quantification method to each material, including standard-corrected methods, for the most accurate matrix-matched quantification possible.
- Sum and quantify the spectra from grains using one of four user-specified methods, including the ability to exclude spectra on the edges of grains.
- Use filters to identify specific points for quantification or export points and major element quantification for downstream analysis in LA-ICPMS or EPMA.
Reporting
AMICS’ new reporting tool, AMICS Reports, provide the flexibility required to meet your specific reporting or dashboarding challenge. The AMICS data tool can read in the AMICS results binary file, JSON results file, the historic MDB format from MLA, any CSV file, or connect to data sources from 15 database types. The report tool includes the following features:
- Unlimited flexibility in report templates layout with tables, charts, text, logos, rick tests, barcodes, tables of contents, and smart labels.
- Fill templates with information from single experiments or combine many into a composite report.
- Automate report generation over many selected experiments and automatically combine splits.
- Export as PDF, HTML, Microsoft XLSX and DOCX, or image formats.
The dashboarding tool allows for user-created dashboards with any combination of tables, charts, dials, or maps with:
- Automatic combinations of splits, specimens, and samples to view composites based on weight percentage splits or replicates.
- Export widgets or entire dashboards as PDF, images, or Microsoft Excel.
- AMICS automatically updates the calculation results after classification without the need to publish or push data. Results are shown immediately on the dashboard.
All AMICS files can be accessed with the AMICS Terrarium Python package that brings the AMICS raw data or calculation results into a Python Pandas DataFrame. AMICS also provides the following file compatibility:
- An open-source binary results format with published documentation for compact and portable data portability.
- Human-readable JSON data export for long-term accessibility regardless of file format.
- Open-source SQLite raw data exports for archiving.
- Legacy data access in the Microsoft Access MDB format.