Scientific Reports (Sep 2021)

Rapid identification of wood species using XRF and neural network machine learning

  • Aaron N. Shugar,
  • B. Lee Drake,
  • Greg Kelley

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-96850-2
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 1
pp. 1 – 10

Abstract

Read online

Abstract An innovative approach for the rapid identification of wood species is presented. By combining X-ray fluorescence spectrometry with convolutional neural network machine learning, 48 different wood specimens were clearly differentiated and identified with a 99% accuracy. Wood species identification is imperative to assess illegally logged and transported lumber. Alternative options for identification can be time consuming and require some level of sampling. This non-invasive technique offers a viable, cost-effective alternative to rapidly and accurately identify timber in efforts to support environmental protection laws and regulations.