Computational Tools for Real-time Analysis of High-throughput High-resolution TEM (HRTEM) Images of Conjugated Polymers

Automated analysis of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) images is increasingly essential for advancing research in organic electronics, where precise characterization of nanoscale crystal structures is crucial for optimizing material properties. This paper introduces an open-source computational framework designed for real-time analysis of HRTEM data, with a focus on characterizing complex microstructures in conjugated polymers, and illustrated using Poly[N-9$'$-heptadecanyl-2,7-carbazole-alt-5,5-(4$'$,7$'$-di-2-thienyl-2$'$,1$'$,3$'$-benzothiadiazole)] (PCDTBT), a key material in organic photovoltaics. The framework employs fast, automated image processing algorithms, enabling rapid extraction of structural features like \textit{d}-spacing, orientation, and shape metrics. Gaussian process optimization rapidly identifies the user-defined parameters in the approach, reducing the need for manual parameter tuning and thus enhancing reproducibility and usability. Additionally, the framework is compatible with high-performance computing (HPC) environments, allowing for efficient, large-scale data processing at near real-time speeds. A unique feature of the framework is a Wasserstein distance-based stopping criterion, which optimizes data collection by determining when further sampling no longer adds statistically significant information. This capability optimizes the amount of time the TEM facility is used while ensuring data adequacy for in-depth analysis. Open-source and tested on a substantial PCDTBT dataset, this tool offers a powerful, robust, and accessible solution for high-throughput material characterization in organic electronics.