Projects

Andrej Krafčík

Project selection:

National projects

OrgPipeSK2025 – Research of the metal organ pipe collections of historical pipe organs in Slovakia
Výskum kovového píšťalového fondu historických organov na Slovensku
Program: SRDA
Duration: 1.9.2025 – 31.8.2028
Project leader: RNDr. Krafčík Andrej, PhD.
Annotation: The sound-stylistic quality of historical organs is determined by various factors, including the material used for the organ pipes and the scaling (mensuration) of individual pipes and entire stops. The proposed project will examine organ metal as a key sound-stylistic determinant of historical organs, with consideration of the constructional evolution of organs in Slovakia from the 17th to the 20th century. The project will be conducted in four phases. The first phase will focus on the chemical composition analysis of organ pipe metal from selected instruments. These pipes and entire stops will undergo mensuration analysis, leading to the development of a mathematical model. The next phase will involve the visual recording (collection) of signings—etched or stamped markings indicating the specific tone for which a pipe is constructed. The signings of pipes from instruments with known builders will be documented to create a standard that will enable the use of neural networks (AI) to identify the authorship of organs whose builders are currently unknown. The research will also address the technical condition of organ metal, particularly corrosion, which affects not only the sound properties but also the preservation of the metal components of these historical instruments. The project\’s outcomes will include an online map of organ metal composition, corrosion, mensurations, an atlas of various types of corrosion and defects in organ pipes, as well as a comprehensive mapping of the metal and mensurations of studied stops. Furthermore, we will establish a method for gradually authorizing organs whose builders remain unidentified. All findings will be contextualized within the sound-stylistic development of historical organ building on Slovak territory.
MRCartilage – Automatic data evaluation tool from the longitudinal quantitative MRI studies of articular cartilage
Automatický softvérový nástroj na výhodnocovanie kvantitatívnych MRI štúdií artikulárných chrupaviek v čase
Program: SRDA
Duration: 1.7.2022 – 30.6.2026
Project leader: Ing. Dr. Szomolányi Pavol, (PhD.)
Annotation: The aim of the project is to design a comprehensive tool for automatic evaluation of human articular cartilage data from quantitative MRI. Data obtained from the Osteoarthritis Initiative database, and measured at Institute of Measurement Science and Medical University of Vienna will be segmented using an automated segmentation tool based on convolutional neural networks. The annotated data will then be registered on quantitative MRI data that will be available from the database (T2 and T1rho mapping, gagCEST, sodium MR) using automated or semiautomated tools developed within this project. The data obtained will be evaluated at multiple time points according to MR measurements that will be available. In addition to quantitative MR data, this will include volumetric data, cartilage thickness, and texture analysis of quantitative maps. Patient evaluation will be based on risk factor groups (transverse ligament rupture, meniscus rupture and menisectomy). The expected number of patients is approximately 4000 divided into individual groups in the ratio 40/30/30. The output of the project will be a compiled version of an automatic cartilage evaluation tool that will be available in a public source (such as website of Institute of Measurement).