Science Museum to Scan Faces for Dental and Medical Research
Visitors to the London Science Museum will be invited to take part in a research study by allowing a scanning machine to take 3D images of their faces. Researchers at the Eastman Dental Hospital, Great Ormond Street Hospital and University College Hospital will then use the collected information.
The Me in 3D Stand uses several cameras to produce detailed 3D images of the face and visitors can change the view to see different parts of the face from different angles.
Dr Chris Abela, a senior craniofacial fellow from Great Ormond Street Hospital, said that the stand uses nine cameras to capture images of the face simultaneously, which are then processed by software to produce 3D images. Visitors using the display will be able to spin the images around and see them in different dimensions and there will also be the option to see your face in crocodile or zebra skin.
The data collected from the images will be used to improve treatment for patients with facial disfigurements and congenital abnormalities and conditions.
Researchers say that the more faces they see, the better they can understand the human face. Dr Abela said that researchers already know a lot about the structure of the face, but less is known about the shape of the face and what makes people’s faces the shape they are. The project will be the largest database of face shapes in the world.
Visitors wishing to use the stand will be required to sign a consent form to confirm that they are happy for the data to be used by researchers at the London-based hospitals.
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