The key element of the research carried out in ORMYLIA Foundation up to this point and for the future is the interdisciplinary that governs its activities; the rapid and “multidimensional” technological progress which affects the scientific community as well as the productive sectors of the market and industry. The interdisciplinary approach of our lab gives an important advantage and added value to solve smart specialization research topics. The extraction, processing and management of various information and their instrumentation delivered through scientific routes as well as using them through vertical research and development projects is a key element which determines its function and thus the profile of human resources . The research areas which constitute important functional laboratory entities, are based on multispectral shooting of various forms of information (image signal range in space and time) exploiting mainly the natural reflection phenomena of diffusion and scattering which give information on materials, the nature of surfaces and the innermost interfaces. Many times this information is complementary to each other. This information reveals new paths for scientific research through a comprehensive and interdisciplinary understanding of things. The spectroscopy reflectoscopy, chromatography, acoustic microscopy and atomic force microscopy are some of the ways of “stimulation” of an object while observing the response to the stimulation of that object. Depending on the type of the excitation the corresponding information is disclosed. The areas that support the research activity of the laboratory are:
T1: Area of Multispectral Shots.
This sector covers all the methods based on image capture and signal information using remote sensing devices which effectively exploit the phenomena of diffusion, reflection, scattering and absorption of various types of radiation. The scientific maturity of our lab in this area completes all of these methods and transmits important experience and parts of these methods to the development of other methods and sectors.
1. Reflectoscopy in spectral areas from the ultraviolet to the infrared area
The use of image capture discloses information from the surface of the object but also from a few hundred microns under the surface; tentative identification of the materials and disclosure of the in depth geometric variations; detection of the moisture distribution variations at the surface and depth of the object. This method has a significant number of applications in the identification of works of art concerning the history of interventions on the object. This is a non-destructive method and under conditions may be a part of the portable laboratory.
2. Reflection and transmission spectroscopy in the spectral regions of the ultraviolet to the infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum. Combined use of different reflection and scattering phenomena.
This method discloses information from the surface of the object but also from a few hundred microns under its surface; identifies the material in depth under the surface without receiving a sample. In different variations is based on the backscatter / m radiation in different spectral regions from the ultraviolet region to the infrared region. The different scattering types are implemented with different layouts (InfrArtSonic, mRaman, mFTIR). The convergence of this research activity with the activity of infrared reflectoscopy is of high significance as well as the grouping of information assessment methods that the various provisions offer.
3. Taking images and spectra by using X-ray.
This method is complementary to the methods above.
T2: Department of analytical processes
This sector includes:
- sampling procedures and sampling preparation to be used with analytical micro sampling methods
- the use of analytical processes in the identification of materials is a key sector for the analysis of all types of materials
- Chromatography
- The fusion of the information brought in this field and its interpretation based on the methods of T3 and T4 and vice versa is an important dimension of our lab that does not exist in most laboratories and offers to our lab the ability of applied solutions but also for innovative actions.
T3: Sector of Information Processing and Information Management.
- Signal and image processing that can be applied to all techniques of T1 and T2:
The development of identification algorithms for spectra and images with corresponding reference data aiming to identify the information obtained by the various methods in T1 and T2.
- Knowledge management with semantic web techniques:
The management of the Base Laboratory data with techniques that enable all users to comprehended easily the information (a highly demanded element in the information era). The expertise of our lab provides multi-dimensional information about objects that analyzes giving added value to this action. The work of this sector can support valuable electronic publishing projects in the Semantic Web and in electronic media in general.
T4: Documentation
In this area, electronic and print versions can be produced concerning the results of the implemented projects.
- Reporting of total documented objects in the case of objects of art and monuments
- Production of electronic or printed publications
Support and update website – blog info of the Foundation
T5: Develop new methods – Portable laboratory.
- Development of new methods and devices for all upper objects sectors.
As demonstrated by the practical experience, companies do not fully meet the specific needs and requirements of the laboratory works in order to provide technological solutions in a laboratory. This problem is more evident in the case of research and documentation of cultural heritage objects where there are no protocols and standards for the scientific instruments as those that apply to the format and the characteristics of scientific devices in the area of health and food. For this reason, most of the lab’s devices and instruments have been revised and adjusted by the laboratory’s engineers and a portable laboratory has been created able to investigate and deliver the results of measurements in situ and ad hoc.
T6: Biomedical Technology (interface with the medical field)
- Transfer of the already gained expertise of the two centers of the Foundation (artdiagnosis and medical centers). The expertise gained from the T5 and T3 is of high significance for the development of biomedical systems which are also based in tomography and spectroscopic methods.
- Development of a Diagnostic Laboratory for tumors based on mechanical properties of those such as:
Breast cancer diagnosis using ultrasound midrange.
b. Diagnosis of skin cancer by combining imaging infrared spectroscopy and acoustic microscopy.T7: Services SectorThis sector is growing through competitive activities. The applications of nondestructive control developed by the laboratory constitute the subject of the offered services in general.