Image analyzing method to detect vague boundaries by using reaction-diffusion system

Boundary detection is a very important procedure in the image analysis of structures. Because vague boundaries are often traced by hand in a time-consuming process, an automated boundary detection system is needed. Here, we introduce a method to detect vague boundaries by solving a reaction-diffusion system. This method makes blurry boundaries clear, even if there are irregularities in image brightness. Combining our method with ordinary image analysis methods, we are able to derive useful information from images with vague boundaries.Because the algorithm of this method depends on mathematical theory, we can apply it to different kinds of images. To confirm the effectiveness of our method, two different kinds of images were tested, those of capillaries and prior austenite grain structures. Good numerical results were achieved for both types of images.