Connectionists: PhD Scholarship at Bristol Robotics Laboratory in Object Identification and Authentication using Microscopic Forensic Signatures

[Tony Pipe]

HP Inc. UK LTD funded PhD Scholarship at Bristol Robotics Laboratory in 
Object Identification and Authentication using Microscopic Forensic 
Signatures
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The technology provider HP Inc. (HP) and the world renowned Bristol 
Robotics Laboratory (BRL) are working together on an exciting new 
research project to develop novel sensors and algorithms aimed at 
realising low-cost technology for the capture of unique surface 
characteristics from differing substrate types (e.g. paper, ceramic, 
plastic etc.). Both 3D structural and 2D spectral signals will be 
investigated at the microscopic scale (defined here as 1-3um XY, 100nm 
Z), with the aim of recovering and describing properties that naturally 
occur at the surface, or which can be introduced, in order to realise a 
unique object recognition signature.

About the Studentship

Estimating 3D surface texture and reflectance at microscale is a 
challenging, problem with a number of unsolved issues, and requires the 
capture of highly dense microstructures.

This project will focus on:
1.       Using a range of optical/computer vision techniques to capture 
and recover 3D surfaces of substrates at microscale.
2.       Investigating the simultaneous recovery of multispectral 
signals and 3D structure at the microscopic scale.
3.       Developing novel algorithms to derive translation and rotation 
invariant signatures of different categories of substrates.
4.       Developing novel machine learning approaches (use of deep 
learning concepts) to characterise substrates at the microscale level 
and identify their inherent properties.

3D depth recovery approaches such as structured light and stereo 
reconstruction will be considered, along with alternative methods based 
on phase shift interferometry and/or focus variation. Likewise, 
approaches looking at the narrow band spectral shifting data, captured 
using a hyperspectral imaging device (or a custom based multispectral 
image capture system) will also be investigated. In addition, this 
project will also investigate approaches looking at using localised 
properties (surface reflectance, surface texture and 3D properties) of a 
surface at microscale in order to build a more generalised meta-surface 
structure characterisation, say using a Simultaneous Localisation and 
Mapping (SLAM) approach.

The aim will be to establish signatures which can be captured using 
low-cost technology, are unique at the item level, can be readily 
compared and which have strong statistical significance. Typically this 
may be achieved through:

1.       the printing of a registration mark
2.       including sufficient information in the signature for 
self-registration or
3.       introducing a small degree of rotation and transitional 
invariance into the signature itself.

Experienced BRL research academics from the Centre for Machine Vision 
(CMV), will work together with HP’s senior design engineers to provide 
guidance throughout the research programme. The CMV has developed 
internationally leading research and expertise in innovative 3D surface 
recovery solutions applied to different areas, including medical, 
agri-tech, digital advertising and others. Augmented by HP’s specialised 
skills at developing low-cost microscopic scale devices, this research 
will use a range of state-of-art optical/computer vision techniques 
developed at the CMV to generate innovate solutions for the capture, 
recovery and characterisation of substrates at microscale.

The PhD will be at the CMV in BRL and will benefit from links with the 
existing CDT programme (http://farscope.bris.ac.uk/) within the BRL.

For an informal discussion about the studentship, please email Professor 
Melvyn Smith: melvyn.smith at uwe.ac.uk

For the full advert please refer to the following link:
http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/research/postgraduateresearchstudy/studentshipopportunities/objectidentification.aspx

-- 
Tony Pipe
Professor of Robotics and Autonomous Systems
Deputy Director: Bristol Robotics Laboratory

Bristol Robotics Laboratory
T-Building
Frenchay Campus
Bristol UK BS16 1QY
Tel: +44 (0)117 3286330