TAGS: Skin Care
The International Space Station welcomes on board Mini-EUSO (Extreme Universe Space Observatory), a next generation telescope that studies earth and space. Mini-EUSO is developed by a research team from Riken (the Japanese Institute of Physical and Chemical Research) in collaboration with L’Oréal Research and Innovation. Thanks to L’Oréal R&I’s expertise in skin imaging and data processing, the joint research improves the quality and analysis of images obtained with this telescope.
Sophisticated Imaging Devices
The observation of space and skin requires sophisticated imaging devices. For space researchers from 16 nations who participated to the EUSO project, the objective was to catch rare phenomena of terrestrial or space origin and create a dynamic map of various events occurring in the earth’s atmosphere. To detect and study this unknown matter, cosmic rays or interstellar meteorites that reach the earth, the EUSO group at Riken developed a new detector based on multi-wavelength imaging.
Developing a Full-face Hyperspectral Imager
The aim for L'Oréal was to develop a full-face hyperspectral imager to be used in vivo to better characterize and understand skin features such as color, pigmentation disorders, and skin lesions. The joint work ranged from the development of imaging systems and detectors, to data processing and development of algorithms for feature extraction and identification.
Two devices, one for the skin, one for space were developed in parallel. Although detectors are distinct in aim and realization, many algorithms developed by L’Oréal R&I for skin have also been applied for space. Analyses such as local pattern recognition and image segmentation used to define specific areas on the human face and to determine skin features can equally be applicable to Mini-EUSO data coming from the ISS.
“The collaboration with L’Oréal has been extremely fruitful and interesting. Working with researchers in a field apparently far from space research has been very stimulating. Indeed, research methodology and data acquisition at L’Oréal shares the complexity and the rigor of our physical research,” said Pr. Casolino, Head of the EUSO group at Riken.
The three-year collaboration between Riken and L’Oréal R&I continues to improve the device for skin application and generate enough data to decipher skin physiology and propose high-performance cosmetic products. This collaboration highlights L’Oréal R&I’s pioneering role in understanding skin, and its capacity to integrate advanced technologies from other fields of expertise.
Source: L’Oréal