Expedition 390 Imaging Tech Report

Owned by Former user (Deleted)
Last updated: Jun 02, 2022
6 min read

Summary

The material recovered during Expedition 390 ranged from sediments to breccia to basalt. The science party brought a 360 scanner (DMT Scan3) to produce 3D graphics of most hard-rock curated pieces. The Imaging Specialist was not involved in image quality and/or image processing of these data. When MBIO samples were taken from hard-rock curated cores, an overview image of all sections including the sample and a spacer was taken each time (two each core). These images were saved as CR2/DNG and JPG images on DATA1.

678 SHLF images were proofed, 417 CLOSEUPs as well as 214 PICAT images were created and uploaded to LIMS. COREPHOTOS were automatically created by the PUBS Specialist. The scientists were introduced to ImageCapture for MICROIMG and SEM image usage/upload. 99 Mbio core photos were captured and saved on data 1/31.3.

The Imaging lab produced seven weekly family and friends photo series with 190 images total, orchestrated the logo printing party and took care of all microscopes setup/maintenance, the SEM as shared responsibility with the core description tech.

PR images were taken for the IODP UK newsletter (https://issuu.com/uk-iodp/docs/news_2022_5_may/16) and NSF visit.

General imaging duties/services provided

  • Head shot posters

  • Download and proof line scan core images

  • Shot close-ups

  • Production, editing, capturing and shipboard approval of the weekly photos

  • Production of group photos

  • Printing of T-shirt logo

  • T-shirt printing party

  • Clean and adjust microscopes, change and center objectives etc.

  • SEM - assisting in usage

System Status

PICAT -

The bulb was replaced, no issues have been encountered during this expedition.

Closeup Station -

Closeup worked well - no issues have been encountered.

SEM -

The SEM was used by paleontologists and sedimentologists during this expedition.

Microscopes -

Setup of microscopes

Stations were set up by for basic observations at the beginning of the expedition. During the first days of actual operations, the scientists reevaluated and changed specification, so they had to be adjusted. Objectives on all scopes were occasionally checked and centered over the duration of the expedition. One Stereo Scope was moved to the Imaging Lab to make space for an Axio Scope in the lab.

The Thin Section Lab microscope was setup with reflected light, two halogen light sources and a new light box (Figure 1).

Figure 1: New TS Scope setup.

Maintenance

One of the AxioScopes was found to be faulty by the other crew. It was diagnosed to be a faulty power supply, which was ordered and arrived in the shipment for 390. The power supply was replaced, but another issue was found - a broken PCBA push button/board. A new one was ordered and should arrive for 393. In the meantime, the broken button/board (see Figure 2) was removed.

 

Figure 2: (430000-9309-000) PCBA stand push buttons f/LSM/Synch board attached and in detail.

SHIL -

The left temperature controller on the SHIL lighting system failed during the transit to the first site. The overheat alarm went off. We switched the controller with a new one and ET Garrick changed wiring to prevent overheating from happening again (see ET report for details). A cover was printed to protect the new parts.

Figure 3: Isolated broken part from the controller unit and new configuration of SHIL lights.

An imaging introduction was given during the quarantine period in the hotel. The hard rock cores were scanned dry, the sediment cores wet. The WRND information showed up in the help window on the SHIL, hence the scientists were able to pick the correct spacers almost all the time. A minimum amount of corrections had to be made.

The SHIL monitor showed first signs of "ghost images" from the SHIL program being open and the window not moving. We implemented a screen saver that activates five minutes of non-activity. This should extend the life of the monitor.

Photography

Several new SOPs were implemented for PR images this expedition (see Imaging Lab Notebook/Photography):

  • New copyright/legal notices and credit format was used starting week 1,

  • A new file naming convention was used starting week 2 of the expedition,

  • New tagging guidelines were used starting in week 1.

For now, all images should be reviewed, tagged with the minimum amount of metadata and all files should be kept (.CR2, .DNG, .JPG), saved and transported to shore. The shore workflow is still being determined and storage options are being discussed.

We took pictures of all sections in a hard rock core, if it was sampled for MBIO. The images were saved on data1/31.3. Mbio Splitting Room Sample Images. Each of these images was saved in .CR2, .DNG and .JPG. When the Imaging Specialist was off duty, another Marine Laboratory Specialist took the pictures. The procedure used is attached HERE.

Printer Epson Stylus 4900 -

was placed in Imaging Office by other crew. I tested it and used. No issues.

Printer Epson ecotank -

No issues.

Software

ImageCapture -

was temporarily broken due to a MUT release on May 27th. The developers fixed the issue within a few hours.

ImageGrabber -

A refresh button was requested and implemented, hence, restarting the software for an added Site or Hole isn't necessary anymore.

Foldio Product Photo Studio, Turntable and Iphone -

Expedition 390 MBIO scientists brought a mini photo studio on board consisting of three main parts: 1) a box, that moves in different directions originally intended to shot product photo shots (incl. lights), 2) a turntable, so 360 views can be accomplished, and 3) an Iphone 12 as imaging device. The system was propped up in the MBIO area in the chemistry lab between the clean bench. The box was not used. The small tripod that comes with the GoPro was used. Click HERE for an example video taken of an MBIO sample.

The Foldio boxes and accessories are now stored in the imaging lab, in the tall Vidmar closet next to the FLIR cameras.

Figure 4: Foldio box and turntable.

Items Received

  • Ink bottles for Epson ecotank printer

  • Four books for educational purposes

  • AxioScope power supply

  • Epson Stylus printer

  • Items waiting or you from 393 shipment (Packing list attached, unopened): 

Items Shipped to shore

  • none

Items Ordered

  • Microscope parts that were mentioned in the 392 Imaging tech report

  • Protective Cover and Screen protector for Foldio Iphone

  • two card readers (the one's we have are quirky at best, several tries are necessary to download images)

PR images

A total of seven weekly photo series were created, edited, tagged, captioned, approved by shipboard leadership and transferred to shore.

File Storage

LSIMG (678), PICAT (214), CLOSEUP (417) were stored on LIMS. RGB and ROI files for all holes were saved on data1, folder 26.1 RGB, Mbio core photos (99) were captured and saved on data 1/31.3..

PR images were carried home on external hard drive and stored on the NASIMG.

Miscellaneous/Documentation

A special photo series of 390 UK representatives (Roz Coggon, Elliot Cater, Lewis Grant, Andrew McIntyre) was produced for the IODP UK newsletter.

Photos of the ship tour by NSF representatives were taken.

In the future contact Lindsay Roberts (lindsay.roberts@zeiss.com) for microscope help, because the previous representative Brian Walsh is no longer working at Zeiss.

Expedition 392 logo was printed, laminated and added to the JR stairwell. Expedition 392 group photos and head shot posters were added to the NAS.

FLIR camera and Foldio photo studio documentation was added to the Imaging lab.