FlɛX: a computer vision program to evaluate strain in flexible crystals

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Computational Physics
• Crystallography

Background:

• Assessing the mechanical properties of flexible crystals is crucial for advanced material applications.
• Traditional methods for measuring crystal deformation can be time-consuming and complex.
• Accurate quantification of flexural deformation is essential for understanding material behavior under stress.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce FlɛX, a novel software tool for evaluating maximum deformation in flexible crystals.
• To provide a rapid, user-friendly, and precise method for deformation analysis using optical microscopy.
• To integrate computer vision and theoretical mechanics for quantitative crystal analysis.

Main Methods:

• Utilizes computer vision algorithms to detect and delineate the contours of bent crystals in optical microscope images.
• Employs semicircle fitting to approximate the geometry of the deformed crystal.
• Applies Euler-Bernoulli beam theory to calculate the theoretical maximum deformation along the crystal's long axis.

Main Results:

• FlɛX enables quick and easy evaluation of maximum crystal deformation.
• The program achieves accurate deformation measurements from standard optical microscope images.
• Successful application of computer vision and beam theory for quantitative analysis of flexible crystals.

Conclusions:

• FlɛX offers an efficient and accurate solution for measuring the flexural deformation of crystals.
• The software simplifies the analysis of crystal mechanics, making it accessible with basic optical microscopy.
• This approach facilitates the study of flexible crystal behavior and informs material design.