The ZooSCAN (CNRS patent) system makes use of scanner technology with custom lighting and a watertight scanning chamber into which liquid zooplankton samples can be placed. The scanner recovers a high-resolution, digitial image and the sample can be recovered without damage. (You can download an example image exactly as it was recovered here.) These digital images can then be investigated by computer processing.While the resolution of the digitized zooplankton images is lower than the image obtained using a binocular microscope this technique has proved to be more than adequate for large sample sets. Identification of species is done by automatic comparison of the image (vignette) of each individual animal in the scanned image with a library data set which may be built by the investigator for each individual survey or imported from a previous survey. The latest machine learning algorithm allows high recognition levels even if we recommend complementary manual sorting to achieve a high number of taxonomic groups (see JPR ZooSCAN article.)
Dimensions (LxWxH): 60 x 54 x 31,5 cm (Cover closed)
Weight: 25 Kg
Input voltage : 110 to 230 VAC, 50 to 60 Hz
Interface: USB 2.0
Resistant to salt water, diluted formaldehyde and diluted ethanol (5%).
Specifications: Samples
ZooSCAN is designed to handle and digitize liquid samples
Sample volume: 0.2 litre to 1 litre
Non-destructive with safe sample recovery
Specifications: Images
High resolution, optimized for objects above 200µ equivalent spherical diameter
Image resolution: up to 2200 dpi (dots per inch)
Each image is 14,150 x 22,640 pixels and may contains hundreds, even thousands, of individual animals.
Each image is processed as a single frame of 24.5cm x 15.8cm. An actual image may be downloaded here. For further details see JPR ZooSCAN publication.
Bottom illumination to allow sample dispersion
Optimized lighting system to enhance image quality and contrast
Supplied with transparent frames for good quality images at borders
Computer Support
ZooSCAN is supported by a number of open-source computer programs that runs with windows 10 : ImageJ with Zooprocess macros, ecotaxa. Zooscan .HYDROPTIC reserves the right to amend this information at any time.
