Imagic Bildverarbeitung AG and the Materials Engineering Center Saarland (MECS) of Zürich and Saarbrücken, respectively, entered into a strategic partnership in September. The collaboration combines MECS’s expertise in materials science, which bridges the gap between research and industry, with Imagic’s leading software expertise in microscopy, image analysis, and image data management.
The combination of research-based domain expertise and industry-proven software solutions creates a holistic ecosystem for materials analysis, from image capture with microscopes and cameras from a wide range of manufacturers to AI-based interpretation and automated report generation. This accelerates analysis processes, makes them scalable, and objectifies them on a scientific basis. A key customer benefit is the complete integration of AI analysis into the on-premises solution of the Imagic IMS software. This means that data sovereignty remains with the customer at all times, with full control over sensitive image and research data.
Patrik Wermelinger, CEO of Imagic Bildverarbeitung AG, explains: “The partnership with MECS brings our customers in structural analysis a noticeable step forward. They benefit from leading AI methods from materials science, seamlessly integrated into our proven software product. With this cooperation, we are combining further technologically leading approaches in a single solution that holistically accompanies the entire workflow from image acquisition to test report.”
The first joint application, AI-supported grain size evaluation, is already setting new standards.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Frank Mücklich, Institute Director & Managing Director of MECS, emphasizes: “Our approach makes it possible to precisely define the database required for an AI model, including the fundamental truth and a deep understanding of the data generation process. This ensures that the models achieve the highest accuracy, robustness, and generalization in series production.”
The system achieves world-leading precision and reproducibility in the detection and quantification of grain boundaries, even in complex cases. This means that complex analyses can be carried out in a fraction of the time previously required. And this with increased objectivity, reliability, and significantly greater analytical depth. The application portfolio for AI-supported microstructure analysis will be continuously expanded over the next few years.
Dr. Dominik Britz, Director of MECS, adds: “The strategic partnership with Imagic is an important step toward quickly and specifically transferring scientific findings from research into industrial applications. This will strengthen the transfer of innovative materials technologies and systematically advance the digitalization of materials testing. The collaboration is designed to be continuously expanded with new analysis approaches and functionalities.”
Patrik Wermelinger, CEO of Imagic Bildverarbeitung AG, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Frank Mücklich, and Dr.-Ing. Dominik Britz from MECS are available for background discussions.
About Imagic Image Processing AG
Imagic is a leading provider of software solutions for microscopy, image analysis, and image data management based in Switzerland. With over three decades of experience and thousands of installations worldwide, Imagic supports industrial customers and research institutions in the efficient processing of image data—from capture to test report.
About MECS
The Materials Engineering Center Saarland (MECS) is a leading center of excellence for applied materials research with strong links to industry. MECS brings the latest findings in materials engineering to industrial applications and supports partners in the development of innovative materials and processes.
Image – From left: Dr.-Ing. Martin Mueller (AI MECS), Dr.-Ing. Tobias Fox (op. Management MECS), Msc Björn Bachmann (AI MECS), Dr.-Ing. Dominik Britz, (Director MECS), Patrik Wermelinger (CEO Imagic Bildverarbeitung AG), and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Frank Muecklich (Founding Director MECS).
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For more information:
Imagic Bildverarbeitung AG
Yunus Akgül: [email protected]
Materials Engineering Center Saarland (MECS)
Nadja Schorr: [email protected]
