Machine Learning Based Identification of Solvents from Post-Desiccation Patterns

We introduce an optimized protocol of fracture pattern classification using an artificial neural network to identify the solvent involved in the desiccation cracking process of starch-liquid slurries, even after it has been completely evaporated. For this purpose, image analysis techniques were used to characterize patterns obtained from drying suspensions using single solvents (water, ethanol, acetone) and two-component solvents (water-ethanol mixtures at different concentrations). Frequency histograms were generated based on nine morphological features, taking into account their size, shape, geometry and orientational ordering. Subsequently, we used these histograms as input data into artificial neural network variants to determine the set of features that lead to the higher accuracy in solvent identification. We obtained an average accuracy of 96(± 1)% considering all solvents in the analysis. The highest accuracy was obtained with sets of features that include the crack area distribution. The proposed protocol can help to determine the combination of features that optimize pattern recognition in other fields of science and engineering.