An Image is Everything: A Tutorial on Choosing and Using the Components of a Dynamic Data Capture System

Dynamic imaging—acquiring images and simultaneously recording relevant sensor parameters—is a powerful way to extend the information and insight available over and above optical microscopy. It improves understanding and correlates how properties of materials alter with, for example, changing temperature, pressure, humidity, tensile forces, shear stress, or aging. The basics of an imaging setup are the microscope, a relevant stage, a camera of appropriate performance, and suitable software to acquire, synchronize, and analyze the images and data collected. However, many factors need to be considered and optimized to ensure reliable experiments. These include basic features of the microscope—objective resolution and magnification, for example, as well as the accuracy and reproducibility of the stage, the camera format, dynamic range, and resolution. In this tutorial, we discuss the components of a dynamic data and image capture system and present examples where researchers have used this approach to better understand their materials.