Use Case: University of Minnesota – Liberal Arts Imaging Lab / Dendrochronology

Customer: Colin McFadden, College of Liberal Arts, University of Minnesota

Product: Magnify2

 

 

Image Source: https://doi.org/10.13020/rep3-nf86

Griffin, Daniel; Porter, Samantha T; Trumper, Matthew L; Carlson Kate E; Crawford, Daniel J; Schwalen, Daniel; McFadden, Colin H (2021-04-16)

 

Background

The Liberal Arts Imaging Lab at the University of Minnesota is a cross-disciplinary resource center serving students, faculty, and researchers from across the university. The lab specializes in advanced imaging—ranging from scanning electron microscopy to 3D photogrammetry—and supports projects spanning anthropology, geology, art history, archeology, and beyond.

Originally funded through the university’s Office of Research and Innovation, the lab was designed to be an open-access resource for diverse disciplines, making complex imaging techniques available to those who might otherwise never use them. https://research.umn.edu/

 

Challenge

Many of the specimens researchers brought to the lab were not suitable for traditional imaging methods. Microscopes often couldn’t handle the size or format of specimens such as:

  • Large geological thin sections too big for microscope stages
  • Archeological burn-site samples needing charcoal or residue analysis
  • Textile fragments with intricate fiber structures
  • Carved wooden printing blocks requiring high-resolution analysis of depth
  • Tree cores and “tree cookies” (large cross-sections of trees), which can reach several feet in diameter

In addition, specialized equipment available to some departments was prohibitively expensive, had low resolution limits, or was unreliable. Researchers needed a flexible, high-resolution, and cost-effective alternative that could adapt across multiple disciplines.

 

Solution: Magnify2

The lab integrated the Magnify2 imaging system into its workflow. According to Colin McFadden, Technology Architect from the University of Minnesota, Magnify2 hit a “sweet spot”—turnkey and reliable, yet flexible enough for creative adaptations without needing constant vendor support.

Key features that stood out:

  • Resolution & Flexibility: Able to image both small specimens (ticks, fibers, brushstrokes) and large objects (tree sections, textiles). Upgrades in camera bodies (Canon R5 MarkII, 50MP) have further boosted resolution over time.
  • Adaptability: Flexible configuration allowed custom lighting (e.g., backlighting thin sections, cross-polarized setups) and integration with external tools like photogrammetry software for 2.5D and 3D modeling.
  • Reliability: Unlike some other lab instruments, Magnify2 proved robust and dependable—giving staff confidence to accept ambitious or unusual projects.
  • Cost Efficiency: Avoided expensive microscope or fee-for-service equipment, enabling more researchers to access imaging without budget barriers.

 

Results

The Magnify2 has become a workhorse for the lab, supporting projects across disciplines:

  • Dendrochronology: High-resolution dendrochronology, including tree cores and full trunk cross-sections, generating international recognition of the resulting papers and images.
  • Geology & Anthropology: Imaging thin sections for micromorphology and sediment analysis.
  • Cultural Heritage: Documenting Egyptian textiles, carved wooden printing blocks, and historic paintings.
  • Biology: Imaging ticks, spiders, invasive plant specimens, and even rattlesnake tails.
  • Publications & Collaboration: Enabled numerous papers, grant proposals, and global collaborations. Researchers have flown in from as far as Tenerife to access the lab’s imaging workflows.

The lab’s dendrochronology work in particular has become internationally renowned—so much so that McFadden and Griffin were recognized at a European conference and a feature article in the New York Times. View a paper on this work at the following url: https://doi.org/10.13020/rep3-nf86

 

Impact

  • Broadened Access: Made advanced imaging available to disciplines (art, archeology, preservation) often underserved by traditional imaging resources.
  • Enabled Discovery: Supported novel insights in climate science, archeology, and cultural heritage through new imaging capabilities.
  • Expanded Collaboration: Strengthened the university’s role as a hub for cross-disciplinary, global research partnerships.
  • Confidence & Reliability: With Magnify2’s robustness, the lab can confidently say “yes” to more projects, even challenging or unconventional ones.

 

Customer Quote

“The Magnify2 has really been a workhorse. It’s given us confidence to say yes to projects, knowing it will deliver. It’s turnkey but flexible—we can adapt it to our needs without having to call for help every time.”

— Colin McFadden, University of Minnesota

 

The Team at GIGAmacro

At GIGAmacro, we are proud to provide tools that support critical research. Working with McFadden and the Office of Research Information Systems has been an exceptional experience—their expertise and innovation are unmatched. We look forward to continuing this partnership by expanding the capabilities of the Magnify2 and connecting their groundbreaking work with others who can benefit from it.

 

Learn More about University of Minnesota

University of Minnesota

Research and Innovation Office

Office of Research Information Systems

https://research.umn.edu/resources/research-information-systems

 

Selected Projects Utilizing GIGAmacro

 

Github Repository

Explore on Github

 

Learn More about GIGAmacro and the Magnify2 System

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