Image processing of the fractal aggregates composed of nanoparticles

The image-processing algorithms are described for chain branched aggregates composed of spherical particles. The processing procedure is based on setting off circles corresponding to the primary particles (spherules) in the images, followed by the construction of a digital model representing a set of diameters and coordinates of all spherules and their centers. The computational procedures are considered in which the digital model is used to calculate a series of parameters characterizing the aggregate’s structure and morphology, including fractal dimension for an individual aggregate and average dimension for a set of aggregates. The “clearance radius” of the aggregate is calculated as a half of geometric mean of the aggregate’s length L and width W. To determine L and W, the algorithm based on searching for the minimum-area (LW) rectangle circumscribing the aggregate’s contour is proposed.