Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, the Mona Lisa, has been given a new lease of life thanks to artificial intelligence (AI). International researchers have used state-of-the-art neural networks and machine learning to create a holographic projection of the iconic painting. They hope their breakthrough will revolutionize the field of holography by making it more efficient and precise.
Boosting Medical Treatments: Holograms and Improved Accuracy in Procedures
Reconstructing the enigmatic smile in finer detail than ever, the photographic projection of the 16th Century masterpiece could boost medical treatments. We are already using holograms to show patients’ organs, such as hearts, during surgery. They provide real-time information in 3D and a direct view of internal tools, such as catheters. Now, holograms may improve accuracy during minimally invasive procedures to treat heart rhythm problems.
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Choosing the Mona Lisa as Proof of Concept
The study’s lead author, Dr. Yue-Sheng Wang from Tianjin University in China, said they chose to recreate the Mona Lisa as a proof of concept because it is so famous that almost everyone knows about it. He adds that the painting is filled with countless delicate and subtle layers of transitions, enhancing its softness, haziness, and mystery. Therefore, it was an excellent way to demonstrate their method’s effectiveness.
A Breakthrough Technique: Advanced Machine Learning and Hologram Creation
The technique described in Applied Physics Reviews is based on advanced machine learning and AI technology. Holograms are created by recording and reconstructing the interference pattern of light or sound waves. They provide realistic and immersive visual or auditory experiences. We can apply them in the field of entertainment, medical imaging, and communication, among other fields.
Metasurfaces: Precise Wave Control for Enhanced Holographic Images
Metasurfaces – two-dimensional materials made of tiny components – can significantly help the process. “A metasurface-based hologram works by precisely controlling the phase and amplitude of the waves interacting with the metasurface,” explains Wang. “As a result, the outgoing waves at each pixel exhibit a certain amplitude and phase, which results in the desired holographic image based on their interference.”
By customizing antenna-like structures within the metasurface using an algorithm, the researchers were able to reduce inconsistencies between the original and holographic images. A high-quality hologram successfully reconstructed the Mona Lisa’s left eye in even more detail.
One can use this technique to create three-dimensional images as well. Dr. Wang says, “The precise control of sound waves offered by our holography method is crucial for advancing non-invasive medical therapies, effective noise control, and optimizing acoustic environments like concert halls.” Encoding holograms in a 3D-printed plate can even be used to shape sound fields.
Our Say
The researchers hope their breakthrough will enhance the quality of life and various technological applications. They plan to explore ways to generalize it, making it compatible with 3D printing and reducing training time. With this new AI technology, who knows which other famous paintings will be brought to life as holograms next?
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A 23-year-old, pursuing her Master's in English, an avid reader, and a melophile. My all-time favorite quote is by Albus Dumbledore - "Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if one remembers to turn on the light."
