CHAracterisation MEthodology Ontology
type: Ontology
imports: computerscience
imports: manufacturing
imports: materials
imports: metrology
imports: models
imports: persholistic
imports: data
imports: holistic
imports: perceptual
imports: persistence
imports: semiotics
abstract: CHAMEO is a domain ontology designed to model the common aspects across the different characterisation methodologies.
bibliographic citation: Work under review - not available yet
contributor: Goldbeck Consulting Ltd (UK)
created: 2022-03-03
creator: Daniele Toti
creator: Gerhard Goldbeck
creator: Pierluigi Del Nostro
description: Characterisation Methodology Ontology
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode
publisher: EMMC ASBL
preferred namespace prefix: chameo
comment: Contacts: Gerhard Goldbeck Goldbeck Consulting Ltd (UK) email: gerhard@goldbeck-consulting.com
prior version: 1.0.0-alpha1
version info: 1.0.0-alpha2

characterisationMethodHasStage
type: ObjectProperty
domain: Characterisation Method

hasAccessConditions
type: ObjectProperty
domain: Characterisation Method
range: Access Conditions

hasCharacterisationEnvironment
type: ObjectProperty
domain: Measurement Process
range: Characterisation Environment

hasDataAcquisitionRate
type: ObjectProperty
domain: Raw Data
range: Data Acquisition Rate

hasDataProcessingThroughCalibration
type: ObjectProperty
domain: Measurement Data Post-Processing
range: Data Processing Through Calibration

hasDataQuality
type: ObjectProperty
domain: Measurement Data Post-Processing
range: Data Quality

hasHazard
type: ObjectProperty
domain: Sample
range: Hazard

hasHolder
type: ObjectProperty
domain: Specimen Preparation
range: Holder

hasInteractionVolume
type: ObjectProperty
domain: Probe-Specimen Interaction
range: Interaction Volume

hasInteractionWithProbe
type: ObjectProperty
domain: Probe-Specimen Interaction
range: Probe

hasInteractionWithSpecimen
type: ObjectProperty
domain: Probe-Specimen Interaction
range: Specimen

hasLevelOfAutomation
type: ObjectProperty
domain: Characterisation Method
range: Level Of Automation

hasMeasuredSpecimen
type: ObjectProperty
domain: Calibration Measurement
range: Specimen

hasMeasurementDetector
type: ObjectProperty
domain: Calibration Measurement
domain: Measurement Process
range: Detector

hasMeasurementParameter
type: ObjectProperty
domain: Measurement Process
range: Measurement Parameter

hasMeasurementProbe
type: ObjectProperty
domain: Calibration Measurement
domain: Measurement Process
range: Probe

hasMeasurementSpecimen
type: ObjectProperty
domain: Measurement Process
range: Specimen

hasMeasurementTime
type: ObjectProperty
domain: Measurement Process
range: Measurement Time

hasPostProcessingModel
type: ObjectProperty
domain: Measurement Data Post-Processing
range: Post-Processing Model

hasPreparedSpecimen
type: ObjectProperty
domain: Specimen Preparation
range: Specimen

hasProcessedSample
type: ObjectProperty
domain: Sampling Process
range: Sample

hasProcessingReproducibility
type: ObjectProperty
domain: Measurement Data Post-Processing
range: Processing Reproducibility

hasSoftware
type: ObjectProperty
domain: Measurement Data Post-Processing

hasUser
type: ObjectProperty
domain: Characterisation Method
range: User

hasValidation
type: ObjectProperty
range: Characterisation Validation

requiresLevelOfExpertise
type: ObjectProperty
range: Level Of Expertise

hasPeerReviewedArticle
type: DatatypeProperty
domain: Characterisation Validation
range: string

Access Conditions
type: Class
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: Describes what is needed to repeat the experiment
EMMO b432d2d5 25f4 4165 99c5 5935a7763c1a: In case of national or international facilities such as synchrotrons describe the programme that enabled you to access these.
EMMO b432d2d5 25f4 4165 99c5 5935a7763c1a: Was the access to your characterisation tool an inhouse routine or required a 3rd party service?
EMMO b432d2d5 25f4 4165 99c5 5935a7763c1a: Was the access to your sample preparation an inhouse routine or required a 3rd party service?
preferred label: AccessConditions

Calibration Data
type: Class
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: Calibration data are used to provide correction of measured data or perform uncertainty calculations. They are generally the result of a measuerement on a reference specimen.
preferred label: CalibrationData

Calibration Data Post-Processing
type: Class
subclass of: Data Post-Processing
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: Post-processing of the output of the calibration in order to get the actual calibration data to be used as input for the measurement.
preferred label: CalibrationDataPost-Processing

Calibration Measurement
type: Class
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: Sequence of operations/actions that are needed to convert the initial signal (as produced by the detector) into a meaningful and useable raw data.
EMMO b432d2d5 25f4 4165 99c5 5935a7763c1a: In nanoindentation, the electrical signal coming from capacitive displacement gauge is converted into a real raw-displacement signal after using a proper calibration function (as obtained by the equipment manufacturer). Then, additional calibration procedures are applied to define the point of initial contact and to correct for instrument compliance, thermal drift, and indenter area function to obtain the real useable displacement data.
EMMO c7b62dd7 063a 4c2a 8504 42f7264ba83f: In nanoindentation, the electrical signal coming from capacitive displacement gauge is converted into a real raw-displacement signal after using a proper calibration function (as obtained by the equipment manufacturer). Then, additional calibration procedures are applied to define the point of initial contact and to correct for instrument compliance, thermal drift, and indenter area function to obtain the real useable displacement data.
EMMO c7b62dd7 063a 4c2a 8504 42f7264ba83f: Within this workflow, a possible way is to use a reference sample (with pre-defined, specific, and stable physical characteristics and known properties) for the interaction with the measurement probe, in order to extract characterization data that will be compared to predefined values. In this way, the accuracy of the measurement tool and its components (for example the probe) will be evaluated and confirmed.
preferred label: CalibrationMeasurement

Characterisation Environment
type: Class
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: Medium of the characterisation experiment defined by the set of environmental conditions that are controlled and measured over time during the experiment.
EMMO c7b62dd7 063a 4c2a 8504 42f7264ba83f: Characterisation can either be made in air (ambient conditions, without specific controls on environmental parameters), or at different temperatures, different pressures (or in vacuum), or using different types of working gases (inert or reactive with respect to sample), different levels of humidity, etc.
preferred label: CharacterisationEnvironment

Characterisation Machine
type: Class
subclass of: Restriction
  some values from: Detector
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: The device used to calculate the material's characterisation properties. It has the detector as part.
preferred label: CharacterisationMachine

Characterisation Method
type: Class
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: Characterisation method is the combination of the stages and sub-methods that are necessary to obtain a measured material structure/property.
preferred label: CharacterisationMethod

Characterisation Property
type: Class
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: The characterisation property is the investigate property or behaviour of a specimen. It is derived from the secondary data, usually after classification or quantification (manually of by a model).
preferred label: CharacterisationProperty

Characterisation System
type: Class
subclass of: Restriction
  some values from: Characterisation Machine
subclass of: Restriction
  some values from: Holder
subclass of: Restriction
  some values from: Probe
subclass of: Restriction
  some values from: Specimen
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: The whole system used for characterising a material, which has the probe and the characterisation machine as parts.
preferred label: CharacterisationSystem

Characterisation Validation
type: Class
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: Describes why the characterization method was chosen and deemed to be the most useful for the sample.
preferred label: CharacterisationValidation

Data Acquisition Rate
type: Class
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: Quantify the raw data acquisition rate, if applicable.
preferred label: DataAcquisitionRate

Data Filtering
type: Class
subclass of: Data Preparation
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: Data filtering is the process of examining a dataset to exclude, rearrange, or apportion data according to certain criteria.
preferred label: DataFiltering

Data Normalization
type: Class
subclass of: Data Preparation
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: Data normalization involves adjusting raw data to a notionally common scale.
EMMO c7b62dd7 063a 4c2a 8504 42f7264ba83f: It involves the creation of shifted and/or scaled versions of the values to allow post-processing in a way that eliminates the effects of influences on subsequent properties extraction.
preferred label: DataNormalization

Data Post-Processing
type: Class
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: Analysis, that allows one to calculate the final material property from the calibrated primary data.
preferred label: DataPost-Processing

Data Preparation
type: Class
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: Data preparation is the process of manipulating (or pre-processing) data (which may come from disparate data sources) to improve their quality
preferred label: DataPreparation

Data Processing Through Calibration
type: Class
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: Describes how raw data are corrected and/or modified through calibrations.
preferred label: DataProcessingThroughCalibration

Data Quality
type: Class
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: Evaluation of quality indicators to determine how well suited a data set is to be used for the characterisation of a material.
EMMO b432d2d5 25f4 4165 99c5 5935a7763c1a: Example evaluation of S/N ratio, or other quality indicators (limits of detection/quantification, statistical analysis of data, data robustness analysis)
preferred label: DataQuality

Detector
type: Class
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: Physical device (or the chain of devices) that is used to measure, quantify and store the signal after its interaction with the sample.
EMMO b432d2d5 25f4 4165 99c5 5935a7763c1a: Back Scattered Electrons (BSE) and Secondary Electrons (SE) detectors for SEM
EMMO b432d2d5 25f4 4165 99c5 5935a7763c1a: Displacement and force sensors for mechanical testing

Hazard
type: Class
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: Set of inherent properties of a substance, mixture of substances, or a process involving substances that, under production, usage, or disposal conditions, make it capable of causing adverse effects to organisms or the environment, depending on the degree of exposure; in other words, it is a source of danger.

Holder
type: Class
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: An object which supports the specimen in the correct position for the characterisation process.

Interaction Volume
type: Class
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: The volume of material, and the surrounding environment, that interacts with the probe and generate a detectable (measurable) signal (information).
EMMO b432d2d5 25f4 4165 99c5 5935a7763c1a: In Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), the interaction volume is the volume of material that interacts directly with the incident electron beam, is usually much smaller than the entire specimen’s volume, and can be computed by using proper models. The interaction between the scanning probe and the sample generates a series of detectable signals (back scattered electrons, secondary electrons, x-rays, specimen current, etc.) which contain information on sample morphology, microstructure, composition, etc.
EMMO b432d2d5 25f4 4165 99c5 5935a7763c1a: In x-ray diffraction, the interaction volume is the volume of material that interacts directly with the x-ray beam and is usually smaller than the volume of the entire specimen. Depending on sample’s structure and microstructure, the interaction between the sample and the x-ray incident beam generates a secondary (reflected) beam that is measured by a detector and contains information on certain sample’s properties (e.g., crystallographic structure, phase composition, grain size, residual stress, …).
EMMO c7b62dd7 063a 4c2a 8504 42f7264ba83f: In some cases, (like tribological characterisations) the “sample” can also be the “probe”. When analysing a system of samples that interact each other, finding a clear definition can become a complex problem.
EMMO c7b62dd7 063a 4c2a 8504 42f7264ba83f: It is important to note that, in some cases, the volume of interaction could be different from the volume of detectable signal emission. Example: in Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), the volume of interaction between the electron probe and the material is different from the volumes that generate the captured signal.
preferred label: InteractionVolume

Level Of Automation
type: Class
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: Describes the level of automation of the test.
preferred label: LevelOfAutomation

Level Of Expertise
type: Class
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: Describes the level of expertise required to carry out a process (the entire test or the data processing).
preferred label: LevelOfExpertise

Measurement Data Post-Processing
type: Class
subclass of: Data Post-Processing
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: Application of a post-processing model to signals through a software, in order to calculate the final characterisation property.
EMMO b432d2d5 25f4 4165 99c5 5935a7763c1a: Analysis of SEM (or optical) images to gain additional information (image filtering/integration/averaging, microstructural analysis, grain size evaluation, Digital Image Correlation procedures, etc.)
EMMO b432d2d5 25f4 4165 99c5 5935a7763c1a: In nanoindentation testing, this is the Oliver-Pharr method, which allows calculating the elastic modulus and hardness of the sample by using the load and depth measured signals.
preferred label: MeasurementDataPost-Processing

Measurement Parameter
type: Class
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: Describes the main input parameters that are needed to acquire the signal
preferred label: MeasurementParameter

Measurement Process
type: Class
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: The measurement process associates raw data to the specimen through a probe and a detector.
preferred label: MeasurementProcess

Measurement Time
type: Class
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: Quantifies the time needed for the measurement data acquisition
preferred label: MeasurementTime

Physics Of Interaction
type: Class
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: Set of physics principles (and associated governing equations) that describes the interaction between the sample and the probe.
EMMO b432d2d5 25f4 4165 99c5 5935a7763c1a: In x-ray diffraction, this is represented by the set of physics equations that describe the relation between the incident x-ray beam and the diffracted beam (the most simple form for this being the Bragg’s law).
EMMO c7b62dd7 063a 4c2a 8504 42f7264ba83f: A characteristic “interaction” volume is usually associated to the process of sample/probe interaction.
preferred label: PhysicsOfInteraction

Post-Processing Model
type: Class
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: Mathematical model used to process primary data in order to obtain secondary data
preferred label: Post-ProcessingModel

Primary Data
type: Class
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: Data resulting of a pre-processing of raw data, applying corrections to normalize/harmonize, in order to prepare them for the post-processing.
EMMO b432d2d5 25f4 4165 99c5 5935a7763c1a: Baseline subtraction
EMMO b432d2d5 25f4 4165 99c5 5935a7763c1a: Noise reduction
EMMO b432d2d5 25f4 4165 99c5 5935a7763c1a: X and Y axes correction
preferred label: PrimaryData

Probe
type: Class
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: Probe is the physical tool (i.e., a disturbance, primary solicitation, or a gadget), controlled over time, that generates measurable fields that interact with the specimen to acquire information on the specimen’s behaviour and properties.
EMMO b432d2d5 25f4 4165 99c5 5935a7763c1a: In dynamic light scattering, temporal fluctuations of backscattered light due to Brownian motion and flow of nanoparticles are the probe, resolved as function of pathlength in the sample. From fluctuation analysis (intensity correlations) and the wavelength of light in the medium, the (distribution of) diffusion coefficient(s) can be measured during flow. The Stokes-Einstein relation yields the particle size characteristics.
EMMO b432d2d5 25f4 4165 99c5 5935a7763c1a: In electron microscopy (SEM or TEM), the probe is a beam of electrons with known energy that is focused (and scanned) on the sample’s surface with a well-defined beam-size and scanning algorithm.
EMMO b432d2d5 25f4 4165 99c5 5935a7763c1a: In mechanical testing, the probe is a force actuator that is designed to apply a force over-time on a sample. Many variants can be defined depending on way the force is applied (tensile/compressive uniaxial tests, bending test, indentation test) and its variation with time (static tests, dynamic/cyclic tests, impact tests, etc…)
EMMO b432d2d5 25f4 4165 99c5 5935a7763c1a: In spectroscopic methods, the probe is a beam of light with pre-defined energy (for example in the case of laser beam for Raman measurements) or pre-defined polarization (for example in the case of light beam for Spectroscopic Ellipsometry methods), that will be properly focused on the sample’s surface with a welldefined geometry (specific angle of incidence).
EMMO b432d2d5 25f4 4165 99c5 5935a7763c1a: In x-ray diffraction, the probe is a beam of x-rays with known energy that is properly focused on the sample’s surface with a well-defined geometry

Probe-Specimen Interaction
type: Class
subclass of: Restriction
  some values from: Signal
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: Process representing the interaction between the Probe and the Specimen (with a certain Interaction Volume) which generates a Signal
preferred label: Probe-SpecimenInteraction

Processing Reproducibility
type: Class
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: Description of performed statistical analysis to check for data reproducibility (e.g. easily reproducible for everyone, reproducible for a domain expert, reproducible only for Data processing Expert)
preferred label: ProcessingReproducibility

Raw Data
type: Class
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: Direct output of the equipment with the manufacturer’s software including automatic pre-processing that is not modified by the user once the acquisition method is defined and the equipment calibrated.
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: The raw data is a set of (unprocessed) data that is given directly as output from the detector, usually expressed as a function of time or position, or photon energy.
EMMO b432d2d5 25f4 4165 99c5 5935a7763c1a: In mechanical testing, the raw data are the raw-force and raw-displacement, as function of time.
EMMO b432d2d5 25f4 4165 99c5 5935a7763c1a: In spectroscopic testing, the raw data are light intensity, or refractive index, or optical absorption as a function of the energy (or wavelength) of the incident light beam.
EMMO c7b62dd7 063a 4c2a 8504 42f7264ba83f: In some cases, raw data can be considered to have already some level of data processing, e.g., in electron microscopy a “raw image” that is formed on the screen is already result from multiple processing after the signal is acquired by the detector.
preferred label: RawData

Reference Specimen
type: Class
subclass of: Specimen
EMMO 70fe84ff 99b6 4206 a9fc 9a8931836d84: Quality control sample used to determine accuracy and precision of method. [ISO 17858:2007]
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: Material, sufficiently homogeneous and stable with respect to one or more specified properties, which has been established to be fit for its intended use in a measurement process”.
alternative label: Certified Reference Material
alternative label: Reference material
preferred label: ReferenceSpecimen

Sample
type: Class
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: Portion of material selected from a larger quantity of material. The term needs to be qualified, e.g., bulk sample, representative sample, primary sample, bulked sample, test sample, etc. The term 'sample' implies the existence of a sampling error, i.e., the results obtained on the portions taken are only estimates of the concentration of a constituent or the quantity of a property present in the parent material. If there is no or negligible sampling error, the portion removed is a test portion, aliquot, or specimen.

Sampling Process
type: Class
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: Act of extracting a portion (amount) of material from a larger quantity of material. This operation results in obtaining a sample representative of the batch with respect to the property or properties being investigated.
EMMO c7b62dd7 063a 4c2a 8504 42f7264ba83f: The term can be used to cover either a unit of supply or a portion for analysis. The portion taken may consist of one or more sub-samples and the batch may be the population from which the sample is taken.
preferred label: SamplingProcess

Secondary Data
type: Class
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: Data resulting from the application of post-processing or model generation to other data.
EMMO b432d2d5 25f4 4165 99c5 5935a7763c1a: Deconvoluted curves
EMMO b432d2d5 25f4 4165 99c5 5935a7763c1a: Intensity maps
alternative label: Elaborated data
preferred label: SecondaryData

Signal
type: Class
EMMO 70fe84ff 99b6 4206 a9fc 9a8931836d84: According to UPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, a “signal” is “A representation of a quantity within an analytical instrument” (https://goldbook.iupac.org/terms/view/S05661 ).
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: Result (effect) of the interaction between the sample and the probe, which usually is a measurable and quantifiable quantity.
EMMO c7b62dd7 063a 4c2a 8504 42f7264ba83f: Signal is usually emitted from a characteristic “emission” volume, which can be different from the sample/probe “interaction” volume and can be usually quantified using proper physics equations and/or modelling of the interaction mechanisms.

Specimen
type: Class
subclass of: Sample
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: Portion taken under conditions such that the sampling variability cannot be assessed (usually because the population is changing), and is assumed, for convenience, to be zero.

Specimen Preparation
type: Class
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: Specimen preparation processes (e.g., machining, polishing, cutting to size, etc.) before actual observation and measurement.
preferred label: SpecimenPreparation

User
type: Class
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: The operator carrying on the whole characterisation process or sub-processes/stages.

Data Analysis
type: Class
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: Data processing activities performed on the secondary data to determine the characterisation property (e.g. classification, quantification), which can be performed manually or exploiting a model.
preferred label: DataAnalysis

Specimen Inspection
type: Class
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: Analysis of the Specimen in order to determine information that are relevant for the characterisation method.
EMMO b432d2d5 25f4 4165 99c5 5935a7763c1a: In the Nanoindentation method the Scanning Electron Microscope to determine the indentation area.
preferred label: SpecimenInspection

Validation
type: Class
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: Procedures to validate the characterisation data.

ResourceIdentifier
type: Class
EMMO 967080e5 2f42 4eb2 a3a9 c58143e835f9: An identifier that is used to uniquely identifies a resource.