A simple and robust method for artifacts correction on X-ray microtomography images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Timofey, Sizonenko; Marina, Karsanina; Dina, Gilyazetdinova; Irina, Bayuk; Kirill, Gerke

2017-04-01

X-ray microtomography images of rock material often have some kinds of distortion due to different reasons such as X-ray attenuation, beam hardening, irregularity of distribution of liquid/solid phases. Several kinds of distortion can arise from further image processing and stitching of images from different measurements. Beam-hardening is a well-known and studied distortion which is relative easy to be described, fitted and corrected using a number of equations. However, this is not the case for other grey scale intensity distortions. Shading by irregularity of distribution of liquid phases, incorrect scanner operating/parameters choosing, as well as numerous artefacts from mathematical reconstructions from projections, including stitching from separate scans cannot be described using single mathematical model. To correct grey scale intensities on large 3D images we developed a package Traditional method for removing the beam hardening [1] has been modified in order to find the center of distortion. The main contribution of this work is in development of a method for arbitrary image correction. This method is based on fitting the distortion by Bezier curve using image histogram. The distortion along the image is represented by a number of Bezier curves and one base line that characterizes the natural distribution of gray value along the image. All of these curves are set manually by the operator. We have tested our approaches on different X-ray microtomography images of porous media. Arbitrary correction removes all principal distortion. After correction the images has been binarized with subsequent pore-network extracted. Equal distribution of pore-network elements along the image was the criteria to verify the proposed technique to correct grey scale intensities. [1] Iassonov, P. and Tuller, M., 2010. Application of segmentation for correction of intensity bias in X-ray computed tomography images. Vadose Zone Journal, 9(1), pp.187-191.

Computational approach to integrate 3D X-ray microtomography and NMR data.

PubMed

Lucas-Oliveira, Everton; Araujo-Ferreira, Arthur G; Trevizan, Willian A; Fortulan, Carlos A; Bonagamba, Tito J

2018-05-04

Nowadays, most of the efforts in NMR applied to porous media are dedicated to studying the molecular fluid dynamics within and among the pores. These analyses have a higher complexity due to morphology and chemical composition of rocks, besides dynamic effects as restricted diffusion, diffusional coupling, and exchange processes. Since the translational nuclear spin diffusion in a confined geometry (e.g. pores and fractures) requires specific boundary conditions, the theoretical solutions are restricted to some special problems and, in many cases, computational methods are required. The Random Walk Method is a classic way to simulate self-diffusion along a Digital Porous Medium. Bergman model considers the magnetic relaxation process of the fluid molecules by including a probability rate of magnetization survival under surface interactions. Here we propose a statistical approach to correlate surface magnetic relaxivity with the computational method applied to the NMR relaxation in order to elucidate the relationship between simulated relaxation time and pore size of the Digital Porous Medium. The proposed computational method simulates one- and two-dimensional NMR techniques reproducing, for example, longitudinal and transverse relaxation times (T 1 and T 2 , respectively), diffusion coefficients (D), as well as their correlations. For a good approximation between the numerical and experimental results, it is necessary to preserve the complexity of translational diffusion through the microstructures in the digital rocks. Therefore, we use Digital Porous Media obtained by 3D X-ray microtomography. To validate the method, relaxation times of ideal spherical pores were obtained and compared with the previous determinations by the Brownstein-Tarr model, as well as the computational approach proposed by Bergman. Furthermore, simulated and experimental results of synthetic porous media are compared. These results make evident the potential of computational physics in the

Computational approach to integrate 3D X-ray microtomography and NMR data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lucas-Oliveira, Everton; Araujo-Ferreira, Arthur G.; Trevizan, Willian A.; Fortulan, Carlos A.; Bonagamba, Tito J.

2018-07-01

Nowadays, most of the efforts in NMR applied to porous media are dedicated to studying the molecular fluid dynamics within and among the pores. These analyses have a higher complexity due to morphology and chemical composition of rocks, besides dynamic effects as restricted diffusion, diffusional coupling, and exchange processes. Since the translational nuclear spin diffusion in a confined geometry (e.g. pores and fractures) requires specific boundary conditions, the theoretical solutions are restricted to some special problems and, in many cases, computational methods are required. The Random Walk Method is a classic way to simulate self-diffusion along a Digital Porous Medium. Bergman model considers the magnetic relaxation process of the fluid molecules by including a probability rate of magnetization survival under surface interactions. Here we propose a statistical approach to correlate surface magnetic relaxivity with the computational method applied to the NMR relaxation in order to elucidate the relationship between simulated relaxation time and pore size of the Digital Porous Medium. The proposed computational method simulates one- and two-dimensional NMR techniques reproducing, for example, longitudinal and transverse relaxation times (T1 and T2, respectively), diffusion coefficients (D), as well as their correlations. For a good approximation between the numerical and experimental results, it is necessary to preserve the complexity of translational diffusion through the microstructures in the digital rocks. Therefore, we use Digital Porous Media obtained by 3D X-ray microtomography. To validate the method, relaxation times of ideal spherical pores were obtained and compared with the previous determinations by the Brownstein-Tarr model, as well as the computational approach proposed by Bergman. Furthermore, simulated and experimental results of synthetic porous media are compared. These results make evident the potential of computational physics in the

X-Ray Micro-Tomography Applied to Nasa's Materials Research: Heat Shields, Parachutes and Asteroids

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Panerai, Francesco; Borner, Arnaud; Ferguson, Joseph C.; Mansour, Nagi N.; Stern, Eric C.; Barnard, Harold S.; Macdowell, Alastair A.; Parkinson, Dilworth Y.

2017-01-01

X-ray micro-tomography is used to support the research on materials carried out at NASA Ames Research Center. The technique is applied to a variety of applications, including the ability to characterize heat shield materials for planetary entry, to study the Earth- impacting asteroids, and to improve broadcloths of spacecraft parachutes. From micro-tomography images, relevant morphological and transport properties are determined and validated against experimental data.

Quantifying Electromigration Processes in Sn-0.7Cu Solder with Lab-Scale X-Ray Computed Micro-Tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mertens, James Charles Edwin

For decades, microelectronics manufacturing has been concerned with failures related to electromigration phenomena in conductors experiencing high current densities. The influence of interconnect microstructure on device failures related to electromigration in BGA and flip chip solder interconnects has become a significant interest with reduced individual solder interconnect volumes. A survey indicates that x-ray computed micro-tomography (muXCT) is an emerging, novel means for characterizing the microstructures' role in governing electromigration failures. This work details the design and construction of a lab-scale muXCT system to characterize electromigration in the Sn-0.7Cu lead-free solder system by leveraging in situ imaging. In order to enhance the attenuation contrast observed in multi-phase material systems, a modeling approach has been developed to predict settings for the controllable imaging parameters which yield relatively high detection rates over the range of x-ray energies for which maximum attenuation contrast is expected in the polychromatic x-ray imaging system. In order to develop this predictive tool, a model has been constructed for the Bremsstrahlung spectrum of an x-ray tube, and calculations for the detector's efficiency over the relevant range of x-ray energies have been made, and the product of emitted and detected spectra has been used to calculate the effective x-ray imaging spectrum. An approach has also been established for filtering 'zinger' noise in x-ray radiographs, which has proven problematic at high x-ray energies used for solder imaging. The performance of this filter has been compared with a known existing method and the results indicate a significant increase in the accuracy of zinger filtered radiographs. The obtained results indicate the conception of a powerful means for the study of failure causing processes in solder systems used as interconnects in microelectronic packaging devices. These results include the

Examining nanoparticle assemblies using high spatial resolution x-ray microtomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jenneson, P. M.; Luggar, R. D.; Morton, E. J.; Gundogdu, O.; Tüzün, U.

2004-09-01

An experimental system has been designed to examine the assembly of nanoparticles in a variety of process engineering applications. These applications include the harvesting from solutions of nanoparticles into green parts, and the subsequent sintering into finished components. The system is based on an x-ray microtomography with a spatial resolution down to 5μm. The theoretical limitations in x-ray imaging are considered to allow experimental optimization. A standard nondestructive evaluation type apparatus with a small focal-spot x-ray tube, high-resolution complementary metal oxide semiconductor flat-panel pixellated detector, and a mechanical rotational stage is used to image the static systems. Dynamic sintering processes are imaged using the same x-ray source and detector but a custom rotational stage which is contained in an environmental chamber where the temperature, atmospheric pressure, and compaction force can be controlled. Three-dimensional tomographic data sets are presented here for samples from the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, biotechnology, and nanoparticle handling industries and show the microscopic features and defects which can be resolved with the system.

Heterogeneous vesiculation of 2011 El Hierro xeno-pumice revealed by X-ray computed microtomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berg, S. E.; Troll, V. R.; Deegan, F. M.; Burchardt, S.; Krumbholz, M.; Mancini, L.; Polacci, M.; Carracedo, J. C.; Soler, V.; Arzilli, F.; Brun, F.

2016-12-01

During the first week of the 2011 El Hierro submarine eruption, abundant light-coloured pumiceous, high-silica volcanic bombs coated in dark basanite were found floating on the sea. The composition of the light-coloured frothy material (`xeno-pumice') is akin to that of sedimentary rocks from the region, but the textures resemble felsic magmatic pumice, leaving their exact mode of formation unclear. To help decipher their origin, we investigated representative El Hierro xeno-pumice samples using X-ray computed microtomography for their internal vesicle shapes, volumes, and bulk porosity, as well as for the spatial arrangement and size distributions of vesicles in three dimensions (3D). We find a wide range of vesicle morphologies, which are especially variable around small fragments of rock contained in the xeno-pumice samples. Notably, these rock fragments are almost exclusively of sedimentary origin, and we therefore interpret them as relicts an the original sedimentary ocean crust protolith(s). The irregular vesiculation textures observed probably resulted from pulsatory release of volatiles from multiple sources during xeno-pumice formation, most likely by successive release of pore water and mineral water during incremental heating and decompression of the sedimentary protoliths.

Magnified hard x-ray microtomography: toward tomography with submicron resolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schroer, Christian G.; Benner, Boris; Guenzler, Til F.; Kuhlmann, Marion; Lengeler, Bruno; Rau, Christoph; Weitkamp, Timm; Snigirev, Anatoly A.; Snigireva, Irina

2002-01-01

Parabolic compound refractive lenses (PCRLs) are high quality imaging optics for hard x-rays that can be used as an objective lens in a new type of hard x-ray full field microscope. Using an aluminium PCRL, this new type of microscope has been shown to have a resolution of 350 nm. Further improvement of the resolution down to 50 nm can be expected using beryllium as a lens material. The large depth of field (several mm) of the microscope results in sharp projection images for samples that fit into the field of view of about 300 micrometers. This allows to combine magnified imaging with tomographic techniques. First results of magnified microtomography are shown. Contrast formation in the microscope and the consequences for tomographic reconstruction are discussed. An outlook on further developments is given.

3D investigation of inclusions in diamonds using X-ray micro-tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parisatto, M.; Nestola, F.; Artioli, G.; Nimis, P.; Harris, J. W.; Kopylova, M.; Pearson, G. D.

2012-04-01

The study of mineral inclusions in diamonds is providing invaluable insights into the geochemistry, geodynamics and geophysics of the Earth's mantle. Over the last two decades, the identification of different inclusion assemblages allowed to recognize diamonds deriving from the deep upper mantle, the transition zone and even the lower mantle. In such research field the in-situ investigation of inclusions using non-destructive techniques is often essential but still remains a challenging task. In particular, conventional 2D imaging techniques (e.g. SEM) are limited to the investigation of surfaces and the lack of access to the third dimension represents a major limitation when trying to extract quantitative information. Another critical aspect is related to sample preparation (cutting, polishing) which is typically very invasive. Nowadays, X-ray computed micro-tomography (X-μCT) allows to overcome such limitations, enabling the internal microstructure of totally undisturbed samples to be visualized in a three-dimensional (3D) manner at the sub-micrometric scale. The final output of a micro-tomography experiment is a greyvalue 3D map of the variations of the X-ray attenuation coefficient (µ) within the studied object. The high X-ray absorption contrast between diamond (almost transparent to X-rays) and the typical inclusion-forming minerals (olivines, garnets, pyroxenes, oxides and sulphides) makes X-μCT a straightforward method for the 3D visualization of inclusions and for the study of their spatial relationships with the diamond host. In this work we applied microfocus X-μCT to investigate silicate inclusions still trapped in diamonds, in order to obtain in-situ information on their exact position, crystal size, shape and X-ray absorption coefficient (which is related to their composition). We selected diamond samples from different deposits containing mainly olivine and garnet inclusions. The investigated samples derived from the Udachnaya pipe (Siberia

Development of X-ray CCD camera based X-ray micro-CT system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarkar, Partha S.; Ray, N. K.; Pal, Manoj K.; Baribaddala, Ravi; Agrawal, Ashish; Kashyap, Y.; Sinha, A.; Gadkari, S. C.

2017-02-01

Availability of microfocus X-ray sources and high resolution X-ray area detectors has made it possible for high resolution microtomography studies to be performed outside the purview of synchrotron. In this paper, we present the work towards the use of an external shutter on a high resolution microtomography system using X-ray CCD camera as a detector. During micro computed tomography experiments, the X-ray source is continuously ON and owing to the readout mechanism of the CCD detector electronics, the detector registers photons reaching it during the read-out period too. This introduces a shadow like pattern in the image known as smear whose direction is defined by the vertical shift register. To resolve this issue, the developed system has been incorporated with a synchronized shutter just in front of the X-ray source. This is positioned in the X-ray beam path during the image readout period and out of the beam path during the image acquisition period. This technique has resulted in improved data quality and hence the same is reflected in the reconstructed images.

3D synchrotron x-ray microtomography of paint samples

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ferreira, Ester S. B.; Boon, Jaap J.; van der Horst, Jerre; Scherrer, Nadim C.; Marone, Federica; Stampanoni, Marco

2009-07-01

Synchrotron based X-ray microtomography is a novel way to examine paint samples. The three dimensional distribution of pigment particles, binding media and their deterioration products as well as other features such as voids, are made visible in their original context through a computing environment without the need of physical sectioning. This avoids manipulation related artefacts. Experiments on paint chips (approximately 500 micron wide) were done on the TOMCAT beam line (TOmographic Microscopy and Coherent rAdiology experimenTs) at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Villigen, CH, using an x-ray energy of up to 40 keV. The x-ray absorption images are obtained at a resolution of 350 nm. The 3D dataset was analysed using the commercial 3D imaging software Avizo 5.1. Through this process, virtual sections of the paint sample can be obtained in any orientation. One of the topics currently under research are the ground layers of paintings by Cuno Amiet (1868- 1961), one of the most important Swiss painters of classical modernism, whose early work is currently the focus of research at the Swiss Institute for Art Research (SIK-ISEA). This technique gives access to information such as sample surface morphology, porosity, particle size distribution and even particle identification. In the case of calcium carbonate grounds for example, features like microfossils present in natural chalks, can be reconstructed and their species identified, thus potentially providing information towards the mineral origin. One further elegant feature of this technique is that a target section can be selected within the 3D data set, before exposing it to obtain chemical data. Virtual sections can then be compared with cross sections of the same samples made in the traditional way.

Analysis of 3D Prints by X-ray Computed Microtomography and Terahertz Pulsed Imaging.

PubMed

Markl, Daniel; Zeitler, J Axel; Rasch, Cecilie; Michaelsen, Maria Høtoft; Müllertz, Anette; Rantanen, Jukka; Rades, Thomas; Bøtker, Johan

2017-05-01

A 3D printer was used to realise compartmental dosage forms containing multiple active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) formulations. This work demonstrates the microstructural characterisation of 3D printed solid dosage forms using X-ray computed microtomography (XμCT) and terahertz pulsed imaging (TPI). Printing was performed with either polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) or polylactic acid (PLA). The structures were examined by XμCT and TPI. Liquid self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) formulations containing saquinavir and halofantrine were incorporated into the 3D printed compartmentalised structures and in vitro drug release determined. A clear difference in terms of pore structure between PVA and PLA prints was observed by extracting the porosity (5.5% for PVA and 0.2% for PLA prints), pore length and pore volume from the XμCT data. The print resolution and accuracy was characterised by XμCT and TPI on the basis of the computer-aided design (CAD) models of the dosage form (compartmentalised PVA structures were 7.5 ± 0.75% larger than designed; n = 3). The 3D printer can reproduce specific structures very accurately, whereas the 3D prints can deviate from the designed model. The microstructural information extracted by XμCT and TPI will assist to gain a better understanding about the performance of 3D printed dosage forms.

Upgraded X-ray topography and microtomography beamline at the Kurchatov synchrotron radiation source

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Senin, R. A., E-mail: senin_ra@rrcki.ru; Khlebnikov, A. S.; Vyazovetskova, A. E.

2013-05-15

An upgraded X-ray Topography and Microtomography (XRT-MT) station is described, the parameters of the optical schemes and detectors are given, and the experimental possibilities of the station are analyzed. Examples of tomographic reconstructions are reported which demonstrate spatial resolutions of 2.5 and 10 {mu}m at fields of view of 2.5 and 10 mm, respectively.

Live small-animal X-ray lung velocimetry and lung micro-tomography at the Australian Synchrotron Imaging and Medical Beamline.

PubMed

Murrie, Rhiannon P; Morgan, Kaye S; Maksimenko, Anton; Fouras, Andreas; Paganin, David M; Hall, Chris; Siu, Karen K W; Parsons, David W; Donnelley, Martin

2015-07-01

The high flux and coherence produced at long synchrotron beamlines makes them well suited to performing phase-contrast X-ray imaging of the airways and lungs of live small animals. Here, findings of the first live-animal imaging on the Imaging and Medical Beamline (IMBL) at the Australian Synchrotron are reported, demonstrating the feasibility of performing dynamic lung motion measurement and high-resolution micro-tomography. Live anaesthetized mice were imaged using 30 keV monochromatic X-rays at a range of sample-to-detector propagation distances. A frame rate of 100 frames s(-1) allowed lung motion to be determined using X-ray velocimetry. A separate group of humanely killed mice and rats were imaged by computed tomography at high resolution. Images were reconstructed and rendered to demonstrate the capacity for detailed, user-directed display of relevant respiratory anatomy. The ability to perform X-ray velocimetry on live mice at the IMBL was successfully demonstrated. High-quality renderings of the head and lungs visualized both large structures and fine details of the nasal and respiratory anatomy. The effect of sample-to-detector propagation distance on contrast and resolution was also investigated, demonstrating that soft tissue contrast increases, and resolution decreases, with increasing propagation distance. This new capability to perform live-animal imaging and high-resolution micro-tomography at the IMBL enhances the capability for investigation of respiratory diseases and the acceleration of treatment development in Australia.

High resolution microtomography for density and spatial infomation about wood structures

Treesearch

Barbara Illman; Betsy Dowd

1999-01-01

Microtomography has successfully been used to characterize loss of structural integrity of wood. Tomographic images were generated with the newly developed third generation x-ray computed microtomography (XCMT) instrument at the X27A beamline at the national Synchrotron Light source (NSLS). The beamline is equipped with high-flux x-ray monochromator based on multilayer...

Automated contact angle estimation for three-dimensional X-ray microtomography data

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Klise, Katherine A.; Moriarty, Dylan; Yoon, Hongkyu

2015-11-10

Multiphase flow in capillary regimes is a fundamental process in a number of geoscience applications. The ability to accurately define wetting characteristics of porous media can have a large impact on numerical models. In this paper, a newly developed automated three-dimensional contact angle algorithm is described and applied to high-resolution X-ray microtomography data from multiphase bead pack experiments with varying wettability characteristics. The algorithm calculates the contact angle by finding the angle between planes fit to each solid/fluid and fluid/fluid interface in the region surrounding each solid/fluid/fluid contact point. Results show that the algorithm is able to reliably compute contactmore » angles using the experimental data. The in situ contact angles are typically larger than flat surface laboratory measurements using the same material. Furthermore, wetting characteristics in mixed-wet systems also change significantly after displacement cycles.« less

High efficiency microcolumnar Lu2O3:Eu scintillator thin film for hard X-ray microtomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marton, Z.; Bhandari, H. B.; Brecher, C.; Miller, S. R.; Singh, B.; Nagarkar, V. V.

2013-03-01

We have developed microstructured Lu2O3:Eu scintillator films capable of providing spatial resolution on the order of micrometers for hard X-ray imaging. In addition to their extraordinary resolution, Lu2O3:Eu films simultaneously provide high absorption efficiency for 20 to 100 keV X-rays, and bright 610 nm emission, with intensity rivalling that of the brightest known scintillators. At present, high spatial resolution of such a magnitude is achieved using ultra-thin scintillators measuring only about 1 to 5 μm in thickness, which limits absorption efficiency to ~3% for 12 keV X-rays and less than 0.1% for 20 to 100 keV X-rays, resulting in excessive measurement time and exposure to the specimen. Lu2O3:Eu would significantly improve that (99.9% @12 keV and 30% @ 70 keV). Important properties and features of our Lu2O3:Eu scintillator material, fabricated by our electron-beam physical vapour deposition (EB-PVD) process, combines superior density of 9.5 g/cm3, microcolumnar structure emitting 48000 photons/MeV whose wavelength is an ideal match for the underlying CCD detector array. We grew thin films measuring 5-50μm in thickness as well as covering areas up to 5 × 5 cm2 which can be a suitable basis for microtomography, digital radiography as well as CT and hard X-ray Micro-Tomography (XMT).

Density of jadeite melt under upper mantle conditions from in-situ X-ray micro-tomography measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jing, Z.; Xu, M.; Jiang, P.; Yu, T.; Wang, Y.

2017-12-01

Knowledge of the density of silicate melts under high pressure conditions is important to our understanding of the stability and migration of melt layers in the Earth's deep mantle. A wide range of silicate melts have been studied at high pressures using the sink/float technique (e.g., Agee and Walker, 1988) and the X-ray absorption technique (e.g., Sakamaki et al, 2009). However, the effect of the Na2O component on high-pressure melt density has not been fully quantified, despite its likely presence in mantle melts. This is partly due to the experimental challenges that the Na-bearing melts often have relatively low density but high viscosity, both of which make it difficult to study using the above-mentioned techniques. In this study, we have developed a new technique based on X-ray micro-tomography to determine the density of melts at high pressures. In this technique, the volume of a melt is directly measured from the reconstructed 3-D images of the sample using computed X-ray micro-tomography. If the mass of the sample is measured using a balance or estimated from a reference density, then the density of the melt at high pressures can be calculated. Using this technique, we determined the density of jadeite melt (NaAlSi2O6) at high pressures up to 4 GPa in a Paris-Edinburg cell that can be rotated for 180 degrees under pressure. Results show that the Na2O component significantly decreases both the density and bulk modulus of silicate melts at high pressures. These data can be incorporated into a hard-sphere equation of state (Jing and Karato, 2011) to model the effect of the Na2O component on the potential density crossovers between melts produced in the mantle and the residual solid.

Recent progress of hard x-ray imaging microscopy and microtomography at BL37XU of SPring-8

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Suzuki, Yoshio, E-mail: yoshio@spring8.or.jp; Takeuchi, Akihisa; Terada, Yasuko

2016-01-28

A hard x-ray imaging microscopy and microtomography system is now being developed at the beamline 37XU of SPring-8. In the latest improvement, a spatial resolution of about 50 nm is achieved in two-dimensional imaging at 6 keV x-ray energy using a Fresnel zone plate objective with an outermost zone width of 35 nm. In the tomographic measurement, a spatial resolution of about 100 nm is achieved at 8 keV using an x-ray guide tube condenser optic and a Fresnel zone plate objective with an outermost zone width of 50 nm.

Snow particles extracted from X-ray computed microtomography imagery and their single-scattering properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ishimoto, Hiroshi; Adachi, Satoru; Yamaguchi, Satoru; Tanikawa, Tomonori; Aoki, Teruo; Masuda, Kazuhiko

2018-04-01

Sizes and shapes of snow particles were determined from X-ray computed microtomography (micro-CT) images, and their single-scattering properties were calculated at visible and near-infrared wavelengths using a Geometrical Optics Method (GOM). We analyzed seven snow samples including fresh and aged artificial snow and natural snow obtained from field samples. Individual snow particles were numerically extracted, and the shape of each snow particle was defined by applying a rendering method. The size distribution and specific surface area distribution were estimated from the geometrical properties of the snow particles, and an effective particle radius was derived for each snow sample. The GOM calculations at wavelengths of 0.532 and 1.242 μm revealed that the realistic snow particles had similar scattering phase functions as those of previously modeled irregular shaped particles. Furthermore, distinct dendritic particles had a characteristic scattering phase function and asymmetry factor. The single-scattering properties of particles of effective radius reff were compared with the size-averaged single-scattering properties. We found that the particles of reff could be used as representative particles for calculating the average single-scattering properties of the snow. Furthermore, the single-scattering properties of the micro-CT particles were compared to those of particle shape models using our current snow retrieval algorithm. For the single-scattering phase function, the results of the micro-CT particles were consistent with those of a conceptual two-shape model. However, the particle size dependence differed for the single-scattering albedo and asymmetry factor.

High-contrast differentiation resolution 3D imaging of rodent brain by X-ray computed microtomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zikmund, T.; Novotná, M.; Kavková, M.; Tesařová, M.; Kaucká, M.; Szarowská, B.; Adameyko, I.; Hrubá, E.; Buchtová, M.; Dražanová, E.; Starčuk, Z.; Kaiser, J.

2018-02-01

The biomedically focused brain research is largely performed on laboratory mice considering a high homology between the human and mouse genomes. A brain has an intricate and highly complex geometrical structure that is hard to display and analyse using only 2D methods. Applying some fast and efficient methods of brain visualization in 3D will be crucial for the neurobiology in the future. A post-mortem analysis of experimental animals' brains usually involves techniques such as magnetic resonance and computed tomography. These techniques are employed to visualize abnormalities in the brains' morphology or reparation processes. The X-ray computed microtomography (micro CT) plays an important role in the 3D imaging of internal structures of a large variety of soft and hard tissues. This non-destructive technique is applied in biological studies because the lab-based CT devices enable to obtain a several-micrometer resolution. However, this technique is always used along with some visualization methods, which are based on the tissue staining and thus differentiate soft tissues in biological samples. Here, a modified chemical contrasting protocol of tissues for a micro CT usage is introduced as the best tool for ex vivo 3D imaging of a post-mortem mouse brain. This way, the micro CT provides a high spatial resolution of the brain microscopic anatomy together with a high tissue differentiation contrast enabling to identify more anatomical details in the brain. As the micro CT allows a consequent reconstruction of the brain structures into a coherent 3D model, some small morphological changes can be given into context of their mutual spatial relationships.

Mechanism insights into bio-floc bound water transformation based on synchrotron X-ray computed microtomography and viscoelastic acoustic response analysis.

PubMed

Wu, Boran; Zhou, Meng; Dai, Xiaohu; Chai, Xiaoli

2018-06-05

This study visually tracked the micro-spatial water distribution in bio-flocs of waste activated sludge through in situ synchrotron X-ray computed microtomography. Primarily, the two fractions of bound water, the vicinal water adhering to the surface of organic compositions and the interstitial water mechanically trapped in the net-like structure of bio-flocs, were proposed based on the cross-section imaging results. Furthermore, the determinants on bound water occurrences were explored in terms of viscoelastic acoustic responses of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). The joint roles of hydrophilic substance removal, EPS aggregation compaction and colloidal instability of sludge flocs in bound water reduction were confirmed by the strong correlations (Pearson correlation coefficient, R p  > 0.95, p-value<0.04) among protein levels of EPS, EPS viscosity and bound water contents. Accordingly, providing adhering sites for vicinal water and forming bio-flocs with high viscosity for trapping interstitial water were proposed to be the contributions of EPS on bound water occurrences. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Visualisation by high resolution synchrotron X-ray phase contrast micro-tomography of gas films on submerged superhydrophobic leaves.

PubMed

Lauridsen, Torsten; Glavina, Kyriaki; Colmer, Timothy David; Winkel, Anders; Irvine, Sarah; Lefmann, Kim; Feidenhans'l, Robert; Pedersen, Ole

2014-10-01

Floods can completely submerge terrestrial plants but some wetland species can sustain O2 and CO2 exchange with the environment via gas films forming on superhydrophobic leaf surfaces. We used high resolution synchrotron X-ray phase contrast micro-tomography in a novel approach to visualise gas films on submerged leaves of common cordgrass (Spartina anglica). 3D tomograms enabled a hitherto unmatched level of detail regarding the micro-topography of leaf gas films. Gas films formed only on the superhydrophobic adaxial leaf side (water droplet contact angle, Φ=162°) but not on the abaxial side (Φ=135°). The adaxial side of the leaves of common cordgrass is plicate with a longitudinal system of parallel grooves and ridges and the vast majority of the gas film volume was found in large ∼180μm deep elongated triangular volumes in the grooves and these volumes were connected to each neighbouring groove via a fine network of gas tubules (∼1.7μm diameter) across the ridges. In addition to the gas film retained on the leaf exterior, the X-ray phase contrast micro-tomography also successfully distinguished gas spaces internally in the leaf tissues, and the tissue porosity (gas volume per unit tissue volume) ranged from 6.3% to 20.3% in tip and base leaf segments, respectively. We conclude that X-ray phase contrast micro-tomography is a powerful tool to obtain quantitative data of exterior gas features on biological samples because of the significant difference in electron density between air, biological tissues and water. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About microcracking due to leaching in cementitious composites: X-ray microtomography description and numerical approach

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rougelot, Thomas; Burlion, Nicolas, E-mail: nicolas.burlion@polytech-lille.f; Bernard, Dominique

2010-02-15

Chemical shock of cement based materials leads to significant degradation of their physical properties. A typical scenario is a calcium leaching due to water (water with very low pH compared with that of pore fluid). The main objective of this paper is to evaluate the evolution of microstructure induced by leaching of a cementitious composite using synchrotron X-ray micro tomography, mainly from an experimental point of view. In this particular case, it was possible to identify cracking induced by leaching. After a description of the degradation mechanism and the X-ray synchrotron microtomographic analysis, numerical simulations are performed in order tomore » show that cracking is induced by an initial pre-stressing of the composite, coupled with decalcification shrinkage and dramatic decrease in tensile strength during leaching. X-ray microtomography analysis allowed to make evidence of an induced microcracking in cementitious material submitted to leaching.« less

X-ray computed microtomography of sea ice - comment on "A review of air-ice chemical and physical interactions (AICI): liquids, quasi-liquids, and solids in snow" by Bartels-Rausch et al. (2014)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Obbard, R. W.

2015-07-01

This comment addresses a statement made in "A review of air-ice chemical and physical interactions (AICI): liquids, quasi-liquids, and solids in snow" by Bartels-Rausch et al. (Atmos. Chem. Phys., 14, 1587-1633, doi:10.5194/acp-14-1587-2014, 2014). Here we rebut the assertion that X-ray computed microtomography of sea ice fails to reveal liquid brine inclusions by discussing the phases present at the analysis temperature.

Optimization of image quality and acquisition time for lab-based X-ray microtomography using an iterative reconstruction algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Qingyang; Andrew, Matthew; Thompson, William; Blunt, Martin J.; Bijeljic, Branko

2018-05-01

Non-invasive laboratory-based X-ray microtomography has been widely applied in many industrial and research disciplines. However, the main barrier to the use of laboratory systems compared to a synchrotron beamline is its much longer image acquisition time (hours per scan compared to seconds to minutes at a synchrotron), which results in limited application for dynamic in situ processes. Therefore, the majority of existing laboratory X-ray microtomography is limited to static imaging; relatively fast imaging (tens of minutes per scan) can only be achieved by sacrificing imaging quality, e.g. reducing exposure time or number of projections. To alleviate this barrier, we introduce an optimized implementation of a well-known iterative reconstruction algorithm that allows users to reconstruct tomographic images with reasonable image quality, but requires lower X-ray signal counts and fewer projections than conventional methods. Quantitative analysis and comparison between the iterative and the conventional filtered back-projection reconstruction algorithm was performed using a sandstone rock sample with and without liquid phases in the pore space. Overall, by implementing the iterative reconstruction algorithm, the required image acquisition time for samples such as this, with sparse object structure, can be reduced by a factor of up to 4 without measurable loss of sharpness or signal to noise ratio.

Multiscale tomographic analysis of heterogeneous cast Al-Si-X alloys.

PubMed

Asghar, Z; Requena, G; Sket, F

2015-07-01

The three-dimensional microstructure of cast AlSi12Ni and AlSi10Cu5Ni2 alloys is investigated by laboratory X-ray computed tomography, synchrotron X-ray computed microtomography, light optical tomography and synchrotron X-ray computed microtomography with submicrometre resolution. The results obtained with each technique are correlated with the size of the scanned volumes and resolved microstructural features. Laboratory X-ray computed tomography is sufficient to resolve highly absorbing aluminides but eutectic and primary Si remain unrevealed. Synchrotron X-ray computed microtomography at ID15/ESRF gives better spatial resolution and reveals primary Si in addition to aluminides. Synchrotron X-ray computed microtomography at ID19/ESRF reveals all the phases ≥ ∼1 μm in volumes about 80 times smaller than laboratory X-ray computed tomography. The volumes investigated by light optical tomography and submicrometre synchrotron X-ray computed microtomography are much smaller than laboratory X-ray computed tomography but both techniques provide local chemical information on the types of aluminides. The complementary techniques applied enable a full three-dimensional characterization of the microstructure of the alloys at length scales ranging over six orders of magnitude. © 2015 The Authors Journal of Microscopy © 2015 Royal Microscopical Society.

Investigating biofilm structure using x-ray microtomography and gratings-based phase contrast

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Miller, Erin A.; Xiao, Xianghui; Miller, Micah D.

2012-10-17

Direct examination of natural and engineered environments has revealed that the majority of microorganisms in these systems live in structured communities termed biofilms. To gain a better understanding for how biofilms function and interact with their local environment, fundamental capabilities for enhanced visualization, compositional analysis, and functional characterization of biofilms are needed. For pore-scale and community-scale analysis (100’s of nm to 10’s of microns), a variety of surface tools are available. However, understanding biofilm structure in complex three-dimensional (3-D) environments is considerably more difficult. X-ray microtomography can reveal a biofilm’s internal structure, but the obtaining sufficient contrast to image low-Zmore » biological material against a higher-Z substrate makes detecting biofilms difficult. Here we present results imaging Shewanella oneidensis biofilms on a Hollow-fiber Membrane Biofilm Reactor (HfMBR), using the x-ray microtomography system at sector 2-BM of the Advanced Photon Source (APS), at energies ranging from 13-15.4 keV and pixel sizes of 0.7 and 1.3 μm/pixel. We examine the use of osmium (Os) as a contrast agent to enhance biofilm visibility and demonstrate that staining improves imaging of hydrated biofilms. We also present results using a Talbot interferometer to provide phase and scatter contrast information in addition to absorption. Talbot interferometry allows imaging of unstained hydrated biofilms with phase contrast, while absorption contrast primarily highlights edges and scatter contrast provides little information. However, the gratings used here limit the spatial resolution to no finer than 2 μm, which hinders the ability to detect small features. Future studies at higher resolution or higher Talbot order for greater sensitivity to density variations may improve imaging.« less

Equally sloped X-ray microtomography of living insects with low radiation dose and improved resolution capability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yao, Shengkun; Fan, Jiadong; Zong, Yunbing; He, You; Zhou, Guangzhao; Sun, Zhibin; Zhang, Jianhua; Huang, Qingjie; Xiao, Tiqiao; Jiang, Huaidong

2016-03-01

Three-dimensional X-ray imaging of living specimens is challenging due to the limited resolution of conventional absorption contrast X-ray imaging and potential irradiation damage of biological specimens. In this letter, we present microtomography of a living specimen combining phase-contrast imaging and a Fourier-based iterative algorithm termed equally sloped tomography. Non-destructive 3D imaging of an anesthetized living yellow mealworm Tenebrio molitor was demonstrated with a relatively low dose using synchrotron generated X-rays. Based on the high-quality 3D images, branching tracheoles and different tissues of the insect in a natural state were identified and analyzed, demonstrating a significant advantage of the technique over conventional X-ray radiography or histotomy. Additionally, the insect survived without problem after a 1.92-s X-ray exposure and subsequent absorbed radiation dose of ˜1.2 Gy. No notable physiological effects were observed after reviving the insect from anesthesia. The improved static tomographic method demonstrated in this letter shows advantage in the non-destructive structural investigation of living insects in three dimensions due to the low radiation dose and high resolution capability, and offers many potential applications in biological science.

Equally sloped X-ray microtomography of living insects with low radiation dose and improved resolution capability

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yao, Shengkun; Fan, Jiadong; Zong, Yunbing

Three-dimensional X-ray imaging of living specimens is challenging due to the limited resolution of conventional absorption contrast X-ray imaging and potential irradiation damage of biological specimens. In this letter, we present microtomography of a living specimen combining phase-contrast imaging and a Fourier-based iterative algorithm termed equally sloped tomography. Non-destructive 3D imaging of an anesthetized living yellow mealworm Tenebrio molitor was demonstrated with a relatively low dose using synchrotron generated X-rays. Based on the high-quality 3D images, branching tracheoles and different tissues of the insect in a natural state were identified and analyzed, demonstrating a significant advantage of the technique overmore » conventional X-ray radiography or histotomy. Additionally, the insect survived without problem after a 1.92-s X-ray exposure and subsequent absorbed radiation dose of ∼1.2 Gy. No notable physiological effects were observed after reviving the insect from anesthesia. The improved static tomographic method demonstrated in this letter shows advantage in the non-destructive structural investigation of living insects in three dimensions due to the low radiation dose and high resolution capability, and offers many potential applications in biological science.« less

X-ray computed microtomography characterizes the wound effect that causes sap flow underestimation by thermal dissipation sensors.

PubMed

Marañón-Jiménez, S; Van den Bulcke, J; Piayda, A; Van Acker, J; Cuntz, M; Rebmann, C; Steppe, K

2018-02-01

Insertion of thermal dissipation (TD) sap flow sensors in living tree stems causes damage of the wood tissue, as is the case with other invasive methods. The subsequent wound formation is one of the main causes of underestimation of tree water-use measured by TD sensors. However, the specific alterations in wood anatomy in response to inserted sensors have not yet been characterized, and the linked dysfunctions in xylem conductance and sensor accuracy are still unknown. In this study, we investigate the anatomical mechanisms prompting sap flow underestimation and the dynamic process of wound formation. Successive sets of TD sensors were installed in the early, mid and end stage of the growing season in diffuse- and ring-porous trees, Fagus sylvatica (Linnaeus) and Quercus petraea ((Mattuschka) Lieblein), respectively. The trees were cut in autumn and additional sensors were installed in the cut stem segments as controls without wound formation. The wounded area and volume surrounding each sensor was then visually determined by X-ray computed microtomography (X-ray microCT). This technique allowed the characterization of vessel anatomical transformations such as tyloses formation, their spatial distribution and quantification of reduction in conductive area. MicroCT scans showed considerable formation of tyloses that reduced the conductive area of vessels surrounding the inserted TD probes, thus causing an underestimation in sap flux density (SFD) in both beech and oak. Discolored wood tissue was ellipsoidal, larger in the radial plane, more extensive in beech than in oak, and also for sensors installed for longer times. However, the severity of anatomical transformations did not always follow this pattern. Increased wound size with time, for example, did not result in larger SFD underestimation. This information helps us to better understand the mechanisms involved in wound effects with TD sensors and allows the provision of practical recommendations to reduce

High resolution x-ray microtomography of biological samples: Requirements and strategies for satisfying them

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Loo, B.W. Jr.

High resolution x-ray microscopy has been made possible in recent years primarily by two new technologies: microfabricated diffractive lenses for soft x-rays with about 30-50 nm resolution, and high brightness synchrotron x-ray sources. X-ray microscopy occupies a special niche in the array of biological microscopic imaging methods. It extends the capabilities of existing techniques mainly in two areas: a previously unachievable combination of sub-visible resolution and multi-micrometer sample size, and new contrast mechanisms. Because of the soft x-ray wavelengths used in biological imaging (about 1-4 nm), XM is intermediate in resolution between visible light and electron microscopies. Similarly, the penetrationmore » depth of soft x-rays in biological materials is such that the ideal sample thickness for XM falls in the range of 0.25 - 10 {mu}m, between that of VLM and EM. XM is therefore valuable for imaging of intermediate level ultrastructure, requiring sub-visible resolutions, in intact cells and subcellular organelles, without artifacts produced by thin sectioning. Many of the contrast producing and sample preparation techniques developed for VLM and EM also work well with XM. These include, for example, molecule specific staining by antibodies with heavy metal or fluorescent labels attached, and sectioning of both frozen and plastic embedded tissue. However, there is also a contrast mechanism unique to XM that exists naturally because a number of elemental absorption edges lie in the wavelength range used. In particular, between the oxygen and carbon absorption edges (2.3 and 4.4 nm wavelength), organic molecules absorb photons much more strongly than does water, permitting element-specific imaging of cellular structure in aqueous media, with no artifically introduced contrast agents. For three-dimensional imaging applications requiring the capabilities of XM, an obvious extension of the technique would therefore be computerized x-ray microtomography

Exploring Hominin and Non-hominin Primate Dental Fossil Remains with Neutron Microtomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zanolli, Clément; Schillinger, Burkhard; Beaudet, Amélie; Kullmer, Ottmar; Macchiarelli, Roberto; Mancini, Lucia; Schrenk, Friedemann; Tuniz, Claudio; Vodopivec, Vladimira

Fossil dental remains are an archive of unique information for paleobiological studies. Computed microtomography based on X-ray microfocus sources (X-μCT) and Synchrotron Radiation (SR-μCT) allow subtle quantification at the micron and sub-micron scale of the meso- and microstructural signature imprinted in the mineralized tissues, such as enamel and dentine, through high-resolution ;virtual histology;. Nonetheless, depending on the degree of alterations undergone during fossilization, X-ray analyses of tooth tissues do not always provide distinct imaging contrasts, thus preventing the extraction of essential morphological and anatomical details. We illustrate here by three examples the successful application of neutron microtomography (n-μCT) in cases where X-rays have previously failed to deliver contrasts between dental tissues of fossilized specimen.

A New Technique for In Situ X-ray Microtomography Under High Pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Uchida, T.; Wang, Y.; Westferro, F.; Gebhardt, J.; Rivers, M. L.; Sutton, S. R.

2004-12-01

We have developed a new technique for in situ synchrotron microtomography to study texture evolution in multi-phase specimens under high pressure and temperature. Two critical issues in performing tomography experiments under pressure are (1) the limited X-ray access to the sample because of the highly absorbing materials, such as tungsten carbide and tool steel, typically used in the pressure vessel and (2) a high pressure compatible rotation mechanism to collect projections of the sample continuously from 0 to 180° . We addressed these issues by (1) employing an opposed-anvil high pressure cell, known as the Drickamer cell, with an X-ray transparent containment ring, to allow panoramic X-ray access, and (2) rotating the Dricakmer cell by Harmonic DriveTM gear reducers, with thrust bearings supporting the hydraulic load. The design of the rotation mechanism benefited from the rotational deformation apparatus developed by Yamazaki and Karato (Rev. Sci. Instrum., 72, 4207, 2001). We report results obtained from a test run performed under pressure with monochromatic synchrotron radiation. A sapphire sphere (1.0 mm dia.) was embedded in a powdered mixture of Fe and 9 wt.% S alloy. The diameter of the sample chamber was 2 mm. Under pressure, the entire Drickamer cell was rotated to collect radiographs of the sample at various angles from 0 to 179.5° in 0.5° step size. Computational reconstruction of these projections provided three dimensional (3D) distribution of linear attenuation coefficient of the sample with a spatial resolution of 6 microns. The shape change in the sapphire sphere during compression was clearly observed. Using the program Blob3d, reconstructed 3D images of the sphere were separated from the surrounding Fe-S alloy. Volumes of the sphere were then accurately determined from the extracted images, by carefully defining the image intensity threshold. The errors in the volume measurement are about 0.3 to 0.7%, mostly due to shadowing by anvil

Noninvasive Measurement of Vulnerability to Drought-Induced Embolism by X-Ray Microtomography1

PubMed Central

Choat, Brendan; Cochard, Herve; Jansen, Steven

2016-01-01

Hydraulic failure induced by xylem embolism is one of the primary mechanisms of plant dieback during drought. However, many of the methods used to evaluate the vulnerability of different species to drought-induced embolism are indirect and invasive, increasing the possibility that measurement artifacts may occur. Here, we utilize x-ray computed microtomography (microCT) to directly visualize embolism formation in the xylem of living, intact plants with contrasting wood anatomy (Quercus robur, Populus tremula × Populus alba, and Pinus pinaster). These observations were compared with widely used centrifuge techniques that require destructive sampling. MicroCT imaging provided detailed spatial information regarding the dimensions and functional status of xylem conduits during dehydration. Vulnerability curves based on microCT observations of intact plants closely matched curves based on the centrifuge technique for species with short vessels (P. tremula × P. alba) or tracheids (P. pinaster). For ring porous Q. robur, the centrifuge technique significantly overestimated vulnerability to embolism, indicating that caution should be used when applying this technique to species with long vessels. These findings confirm that microCT can be used to assess the vulnerability to embolism on intact plants by direct visualization. PMID:26527655

Noninvasive Measurement of Vulnerability to Drought-Induced Embolism by X-Ray Microtomography.

PubMed

Choat, Brendan; Badel, Eric; Burlett, Regis; Delzon, Sylvain; Cochard, Herve; Jansen, Steven

2016-01-01

Hydraulic failure induced by xylem embolism is one of the primary mechanisms of plant dieback during drought. However, many of the methods used to evaluate the vulnerability of different species to drought-induced embolism are indirect and invasive, increasing the possibility that measurement artifacts may occur. Here, we utilize x-ray computed microtomography (microCT) to directly visualize embolism formation in the xylem of living, intact plants with contrasting wood anatomy (Quercus robur, Populus tremula × Populus alba, and Pinus pinaster). These observations were compared with widely used centrifuge techniques that require destructive sampling. MicroCT imaging provided detailed spatial information regarding the dimensions and functional status of xylem conduits during dehydration. Vulnerability curves based on microCT observations of intact plants closely matched curves based on the centrifuge technique for species with short vessels (P. tremula × P. alba) or tracheids (P. pinaster). For ring porous Q. robur, the centrifuge technique significantly overestimated vulnerability to embolism, indicating that caution should be used when applying this technique to species with long vessels. These findings confirm that microCT can be used to assess the vulnerability to embolism on intact plants by direct visualization. © 2016 American Society of Plant Biologists. All Rights Reserved.

Non-destructive imaging of fragments of historical beeswax seals using high-contrast X-ray micro-radiography and micro-tomography with large area photon-counting detector array.

PubMed

Karch, Jakub; Bartl, Benjamin; Dudak, Jan; Zemlicka, Jan; Krejci, Frantisek

2016-12-01

Historical beeswax seals are unique cultural heritage objects. Unfortunately, a number of historical sealing waxes show a porous structure with a strong tendency to stratification and embrittlement, which makes these objects extremely prone to mechanical damage. The understanding of beeswax degradation processes therefore plays an important role in the preservation and consequent treatment of these objects. Conventional methods applied for the investigation of beeswax materials (e.g. gas chromatography) are of a destructive nature or bring only limited information about the sample surface (microscopic techniques). Considering practical limitations of conventional methods and ethical difficulties connected with the sampling of the historical material, radiation imaging methods such as X-ray micro-tomography presents a promising non-destructive tool for the onward scientific research in this field. In this contribution, we present the application of high-contrast X-ray micro-radiography and micro-tomography for the investigation of beeswax seal fragments. The method is based on the application of the large area photon-counting detector recently developed at our institute. The detector combines the advantages of single-photon counting technology with a large field of view. The method, consequently, enables imaging of relatively large objects with high geometrical magnification. In the reconstructed micro-tomographies of investigated historical beeswax seals, we are able to reveal morphological structures such as stratification, micro-cavities and micro-fractures with spatial resolution down to 5μm non-destructively and with high imaging quality. The presented work therefore demonstrates that a combination of state-of-the-art hybrid pixel semiconductor detectors and currently available micro-focus x-ray sources makes it possible to apply X-ray micro-radiography and micro-tomography as a valuable non-destructive tool for volumetric beeswax seal morphological studies

X-ray Synchrotron Microtomography of a silicified Jurassic Cheirolepidiaceae (Conifer) cone: histology and morphology of Pararaucaria collinsonae sp. nov.

PubMed Central

Steart, David C.; Spencer, Alan R.T.; Garwood, Russell J.; Hilton, Jason; Munt, Martin C.; Needham, John

2014-01-01

We document a new species of ovulate cone (Pararaucaria collinsonae) on the basis of silicified fossils from the Late Jurassic Purbeck Limestone Group of southern England (Tithonian Stage: ca. 145 million years). Our description principally relies on the anatomy of the ovuliferous scales, revealed through X-ray synchrotron microtomography (SRXMT) performed at the Diamond Light Source (UK). This study represents the first application of SRXMT to macro-scale silicified plant fossils, and demonstrates the significant advantages of this approach, which can resolve cellular structure over lab-based X-ray computed microtomography (XMT). The method enabled us to characterize tissues and precisely demarcate their boundaries, elucidating organ shape, and thus allowing an accurate assessment of affinities. The cones are broadly spherical (ca. 1.3 cm diameter), and are structured around a central axis with helically arranged bract/scale complexes, each of which bares a single ovule. A three-lobed ovuliferous scale and ovules enclosed within pocket-forming tissue, demonstrate an affinity with Cheirolepidiaceae. Details of vascular sclerenchyma bundles, integument structure, and the number and attachment of the ovules indicate greatest similarity to P. patagonica and P. carrii. This fossil develops our understanding of the dominant tree element of the Purbeck Fossil Forest, providing the first evidence for ovulate cheirolepidiaceous cones in Europe. Alongside recent discoveries in North America, this significantly extends the known palaeogeographic range of Pararaucaria, supporting a mid-palaeolatitudinal distribution in both Gondwana and Laurasia during the Late Jurassic. Palaeoclimatic interpretations derived from contemporaneous floras, climate sensitive sediments, and general circulation climate models indicate that Pararaucaria was a constituent of low diversity floras in semi-arid Mediterranean-type environments. PMID:25374776

Coupling of in-situ X-ray Microtomography Observations with Discrete Element Simulations-Application to Powder Sintering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Olmos, L.; Bouvard, D.; Martin, C. L.; Bellet, D.; Di Michiel, M.

2009-06-01

The sintering of both a powder with a wide particle size distribution (0-63 μm) and of a powder with artificially created pores is investigated by coupling in situ X-ray microtomography observations with Discrete Element simulations. The micro structure evolution of the copper particles is observed by microtomography all along a typical sintering cycle at 1050° C at the European Synchrotron Research Facilities (ESRF, Grenoble, France). A quantitative analysis of the 3D images provides original data on interparticle indentation, coordination and particle displacements throughout sintering. In parallel, the sintering of similar powder systems has been simulated with a discrete element code which incorporates appropriate sintering contact laws from the literature. The initial numerical packing is generated directly from the 3D microtomography images or alternatively from a random set of particles with the same size distribution. The comparison between the information drawn from the simulations and the one obtained by tomography leads to the conclusion that the first method is not satisfactory because real particles are not perfectly spherical as the numerical ones. On the opposite the packings built with the second method show sintering behaviors close to the behaviors of real materials, although particle rearrangement is underestimated by DEM simulations.

New approach to measure soil particulate organic matter in intact samples using X-ray computed micro-tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kravchenko, Alexandra; Negassa, Wakene; Guber, Andrey; Schmidt, Sonja

2014-05-01

Particulate soil organic matter (POM) is biologically and chemically active fraction of soil organic matter. It is a source of many agricultural and ecological benefits, among which are POM's contribution to C sequestration. Most of conventional research methods for studying organic matter dynamics involve measurements conducted on pre-processed i.e., ground and sieved soil samples. Unfortunately, grinding and sieving completely destroys soil structure, the component crucial for soil functioning and C protection. Importance of a better understanding of the role of soil structure and of the physical protection that it provides to soil C cannot be overstated; and analysis of quantities, characteristics, and decomposition rates of POM in soil samples with intact structure is among the key elements of gaining such understanding. However, a marked difficulty hindering the progress in such analyses is a lack of tools for identification and quantitative analysis of POM in intact soil samples. Recent advancement in applications of X-ray computed micro-tomography (μ-CT) to soil science has given an opportunity to conduct such analyses. The objective of the current study is to develop a procedure for identification and quantitative characterization of POM within intact soil samples using X-ray μ-CT images and to test performance of the proposed procedure on a set of multiple intact soil macro-aggregates. We used 16 4-6 mm soil aggregates collected at 0-15 cm depth from a Typic Hapludalf soil at multiple field sites with diverse agricultural management history. The aggregates have been scanned at SIMBIOS Centre, Dundee, Scotland at 10 micron resolution. POM was determined from the aggregate images using the developed procedure. The procedure was based on combining image pre-processing steps with discriminant analysis classification. The first component of the procedure consisted of image pre-processing steps based on the range of gray values (GV) along with shape and size

The contribution of synchrotron X-ray computed microtomography to understanding volcanic processes.

PubMed

Polacci, Margherita; Mancini, Lucia; Baker, Don R

2010-03-01

A series of computed microtomography experiments are reported which were performed by using a third-generation synchrotron radiation source on volcanic rocks from various active hazardous volcanoes in Italy and other volcanic areas in the world. The applied technique allowed the internal structure of the investigated material to be accurately imaged at the micrometre scale and three-dimensional views of the investigated samples to be produced as well as three-dimensional quantitative measurements of textural features. The geometry of the vesicle (gas-filled void) network in volcanic products of both basaltic and trachytic compositions were particularly focused on, as vesicle textures are directly linked to the dynamics of volcano degassing. This investigation provided novel insights into modes of gas exsolution, transport and loss in magmas that were not recognized in previous studies using solely conventional two-dimensional imaging techniques. The results of this study are important to understanding the behaviour of volcanoes and can be combined with other geosciences disciplines to forecast their future activity.

Failure Analysis of Batteries Using Synchrotron-based Hard X-ray Microtomography

PubMed Central

Harry, Katherine J.; Parkinson, Dilworth Y.; Balsara, Nitash P.

2015-01-01

Imaging morphological changes that occur during the lifetime of rechargeable batteries is necessary to understand how these devices fail. Since the advent of lithium-ion batteries, researchers have known that the lithium metal anode has the highest theoretical energy density of any anode material. However, rechargeable batteries containing a lithium metal anode are not widely used in consumer products because the growth of lithium dendrites from the anode upon charging of the battery causes premature cell failure by short circuit. Lithium dendrites can also form in commercial lithium-ion batteries with graphite anodes if they are improperly charged. We demonstrate that lithium dendrite growth can be studied using synchrotron-based hard X-ray microtomography. This non-destructive imaging technique allows researchers to study the growth of lithium dendrites, in addition to other morphological changes inside batteries, and subsequently develop methods to extend battery life. PMID:26382323

Interconnected porosity analysis by 3D X-ray microtomography and mechanical behavior of biomimetic organic-inorganic composite materials.

PubMed

Alonso-Sierra, S; Velázquez-Castillo, R; Millán-Malo, B; Nava, R; Bucio, L; Manzano-Ramírez, A; Cid-Luna, H; Rivera-Muñoz, E M

2017-11-01

Hydroxyapatite-based materials have been used for dental and biomedical applications. They are commonly studied due to their favorable response presented when used for replacement of bone tissue. Those materials should be porous enough to allow cell penetration, internal tissue growth, vascular incursion and nutrient supply. Furthermore, their morphology should be designed to guide the growth of new bone tissue in anatomically applicable ways. In this work, the mechanical performance and 3D X-ray microtomography (X-ray μCT) study of a biomimetic, organic-inorganic composite material, based on hydroxyapatite, with physicochemical, structural, morphological and mechanical properties very similar to those of natural bone tissue is reported. Ceramic pieces in different shapes and several porous sizes were produced using a Modified Gel Casting Method. Pieces with a controlled and 3D hierarchical interconnected porous structure were molded by adding polymethylmethacrylate microspheres. Subsequently, they were subject to a thermal treatment to remove polymers and to promote a sinterization of the ceramic particles, obtaining a HAp scaffold with controlled porosity. Then, two different organic phases were used to generate an organic-inorganic composite material, so gelatin and collagen, which was extracted from bovine tail, were used. The biomimetic organic-inorganic composite material was characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and 3D X-ray microtomography techniques. Mechanical properties were characterized in compression tests, obtaining a dramatic and synergic increment in the mechanical properties due to the chemical and physical interactions between the two phases and to the open-cell cellular behavior of the final composite material; the maximum compressive strength obtained corresponds to about 3 times higher than that reported for natural cancellous bone. The

Micro-CTvlab: A web based virtual gallery of biological specimens using X-ray microtomography (micro-CT)

PubMed Central

Faulwetter, Sarah; Chatzinikolaou, Eva; Michalakis, Nikitas; Filiopoulou, Irene; Minadakis, Nikos; Panteri, Emmanouela; Perantinos, George; Gougousis, Alexandros; Arvanitidis, Christos

2016-01-01

Abstract Background During recent years, X-ray microtomography (micro-CT) has seen an increasing use in biological research areas, such as functional morphology, taxonomy, evolutionary biology and developmental research. Micro-CT is a technology which uses X-rays to create sub-micron resolution images of external and internal features of specimens. These images can then be rendered in a three-dimensional space and used for qualitative and quantitative 3D analyses. However, the online exploration and dissemination of micro-CT datasets are rarely made available to the public due to their large size and a lack of dedicated online platforms for the interactive manipulation of 3D data. Here, the development of a virtual micro-CT laboratory (Micro-CTvlab) is described, which can be used by everyone who is interested in digitisation methods and biological collections and aims at making the micro-CT data exploration of natural history specimens freely available over the internet. New information The Micro-CTvlab offers to the user virtual image galleries of various taxa which can be displayed and downloaded through a web application. With a few clicks, accurate, detailed and three-dimensional models of species can be studied and virtually dissected without destroying the actual specimen. The data and functions of the Micro-CTvlab can be accessed either on a normal computer or through a dedicated version for mobile devices. PMID:27956848

Micro-CTvlab: A web based virtual gallery of biological specimens using X-ray microtomography (micro-CT).

PubMed

Keklikoglou, Kleoniki; Faulwetter, Sarah; Chatzinikolaou, Eva; Michalakis, Nikitas; Filiopoulou, Irene; Minadakis, Nikos; Panteri, Emmanouela; Perantinos, George; Gougousis, Alexandros; Arvanitidis, Christos

2016-01-01

During recent years, X-ray microtomography (micro-CT) has seen an increasing use in biological research areas, such as functional morphology, taxonomy, evolutionary biology and developmental research. Micro-CT is a technology which uses X-rays to create sub-micron resolution images of external and internal features of specimens. These images can then be rendered in a three-dimensional space and used for qualitative and quantitative 3D analyses. However, the online exploration and dissemination of micro-CT datasets are rarely made available to the public due to their large size and a lack of dedicated online platforms for the interactive manipulation of 3D data. Here, the development of a virtual micro-CT laboratory (Micro-CT vlab ) is described, which can be used by everyone who is interested in digitisation methods and biological collections and aims at making the micro-CT data exploration of natural history specimens freely available over the internet. The Micro-CT vlab offers to the user virtual image galleries of various taxa which can be displayed and downloaded through a web application. With a few clicks, accurate, detailed and three-dimensional models of species can be studied and virtually dissected without destroying the actual specimen. The data and functions of the Micro-CT vlab can be accessed either on a normal computer or through a dedicated version for mobile devices.

Approaches to 3D printing teeth from X-ray microtomography.

PubMed

Cresswell-Boyes, A J; Barber, A H; Mills, D; Tatla, A; Davis, G R

2018-06-28

Artificial teeth have several advantages in preclinical training. The aim of this study is to three-dimensionally (3D) print accurate artificial teeth using scans from X-ray microtomography (XMT). Extracted and artificial teeth were imaged at 90 kV and 40 kV, respectively, to create detailed high contrast scans. The dataset was visualised to produce internal and external meshes subsequently exported to 3D modelling software for modification before finally sending to a slicing program for printing. After appropriate parameter setting, the printer deposited material in specific locations layer by layer, to create a 3D physical model. Scans were manipulated to ensure a clean model was imported into the slicing software, where layer height replicated the high spatial resolution that was observed in the XMT scans. The model was then printed in two different materials (polylactic acid and thermoplastic elastomer). A multimaterial print was created to show the different physical characteristics between enamel and dentine. © 2018 The Authors Journal of Microscopy © 2018 Royal Microscopical Society.

X-ray microtomography study of the spallation response in Ta-W

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McDonald, Samuel; Cotton, Matthew; Millett, Jeremy; Bourne, Neil; Withers, Philip

2013-06-01

The response of metallic materials to high strain-rate (impact) loading is of interest to a number of communities. Traditionally, the largest driver has been the military, in its need to understand armour and resistance to ballistic attack. More recently, industries such as aerospace (foreign object damage, bird strike, etc.), automotive (crash-worthiness) and satellite protection (orbital debris) have all appreciated the necessity of such information. It is therefore important to understand the dynamic tensile or spallation response, and in particular to be able to observe in three-dimensions, and in a non-invasive manner, the physical damage present in the spalled region post-impact. The current study presents plate impact experiments investigating the spallation damage response of recovered targets of the tantalum alloy Ta-2.5%W. Using X-ray microtomography the damage resulting from differing impact conditions (impact velocity/stress, pulse duration) is compared and characterised in 3-D. Combined with free surface velocity measurements, the tensile failure mechanisms during dynamic loading have been identified.

Characterization of fatigue crack growth behavior in LENS fabricated Ti-6Al-4V using high-energy synchrotron x-ray microtomography

DOE PAGES

Sandgren, Hayley R.; Zhai, Yuwei; Lados, Diana A.; ...

2016-09-28

Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENS) is an additive manufacturing technique that belongs to the ASTM standardized directed energy deposition category. To date, very limited work has been conducted towards understanding the fatigue crack growth behavior of LENS fabricated materials, which hinders the widespread adoption of this technology for high-integrity structural applications. In this study, the propagation of a 20 μm initial crack in LENS fabricated Ti-6Al-4V was captured in-situ, using high-energy synchrotron x-ray microtomography. Fatigue crack growth (FCG) data were then determined from 2D and 3D tomography reconstructions, as well as from fracture surface striation measurements using SEM. The generatedmore » data were compared to those obtained from conventional FCG tests that used compliance and direct current potential drop (DCPD) techniques to measure long and small crack growth. In conclusion, the observed agreement demonstrates that x-ray microtomography and fractographic analysis using SEM can be successfully combined to study the propagation behavior of fatigue cracks.« less

Characterization of fatigue crack growth behavior in LENS fabricated Ti-6Al-4V using high-energy synchrotron x-ray microtomography

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sandgren, Hayley R.; Zhai, Yuwei; Lados, Diana A.

Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENS) is an additive manufacturing technique that belongs to the ASTM standardized directed energy deposition category. To date, very limited work has been conducted towards understanding the fatigue crack growth behavior of LENS fabricated materials, which hinders the widespread adoption of this technology for high-integrity structural applications. In this study, the propagation of a 20 μm initial crack in LENS fabricated Ti-6Al-4V was captured in-situ, using high-energy synchrotron x-ray microtomography. Fatigue crack growth (FCG) data were then determined from 2D and 3D tomography reconstructions, as well as from fracture surface striation measurements using SEM. The generatedmore » data were compared to those obtained from conventional FCG tests that used compliance and direct current potential drop (DCPD) techniques to measure long and small crack growth. In conclusion, the observed agreement demonstrates that x-ray microtomography and fractographic analysis using SEM can be successfully combined to study the propagation behavior of fatigue cracks.« less

X-ray micro-tomography investigation of the foaming process in the system of waste glass–silica mud–MnO{sub 2}

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ducman, V., E-mail: vilma.ducman@zag.si; Korat, L.; Legat, A.

2013-12-15

In case of foamed lightweight aggregates (LWAs), porosity is introduced by the addition of a foaming agent to the glassy matrix, which degasses at an elevated temperature, so that the resulting gases remain trapped inside the glassy structure. The efficiency of action of MnO{sub 2} as a foaming agent in waste glass and waste glass/silica mud systems was studied. Samples were fired at different temperatures and with different dwelling times at a certain temperature, and the development of porosity was investigated by means of X-ray micro-tomography. It was found that, with the prolongation in dwelling times, the number of poresmore » decreased, while, on the other hand, the volume of these pores increased, and that the addition of silica mud increases the foaming temperature and slows down the foaming process. - Highlights: • Preparation of lightweight aggregate from waste glass, silica sludge, and MnO{sub 2} • DTA/TG investigation of MnO{sub 2} • Characterization of pore-forming process by means of X-ray micro-tomography (μcT)« less

Multi-scale X-ray Microtomography Imaging of Immiscible Fluids After Imbibition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garing, C.; de Chalendar, J.; Voltolini, M.; Ajo Franklin, J. B.; Benson, S. M.

2015-12-01

A major issue for CO2 storage security is the efficiency and long-term reliability of the trapping mechanisms occurring in the reservoir where CO2 is injected. Residual trapping is one of the key processes for storage security beyond the primary stratigraphic seal. Although classical conceptual models of residual fluid trapping assume that disconnected ganglia are permanently immobilized, multiple mechanisms exist which could allow the remobilization of residually trapped CO2. The aim of this study is to quantify fluid phases saturation, connectivity and morphology after imbibition using x-ray microtomography in order to evaluate potential changes in droplets organization due to differences in capillary pressure between disconnected ganglia. Particular emphasis is placed on the effect of image resolution. Synchrotron-based x-ray microtomographic datasets of air-water spontaneous imbibition were acquired in sintered glass beads and sandstone samples with voxel sizes varying from 0.64 to 4.44 μm. The results show that for both sandstones the residual air phase is homogeneously distributed within the entire pore space and consists of disconnected clusters of multiple sizes and morphologies. The multi-scale analysis of subsamples of few pores and throats imaged at the same location of the sample reveals significant variations in the estimation of connectivity, size and shape of the fluid phases. This is particularly noticeable when comparing the results from the images with voxel sizes above 1 μm with the results from the images acquired with voxel sizes below 1 μm.

Imaging Wellbore Cement Degradation by Carbon Dioxide under Geologic Sequestration Conditions Using X-ray Computed Microtomography

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jung, Hun Bok; Jansik, Danielle; Um, Wooyong

2013-01-02

ABSTRACT: X-ray microtomography (XMT), a nondestructive three-dimensional imaging technique, was applied to demonstrate its capability to visualize the mineralogical alteration and microstructure changes in hydrated Portland cement exposed to carbon dioxide under geologic sequestration conditions. Steel coupons and basalt fragments were added to the cement paste in order to simulate cement-steel and cement-rock interfaces. XMT image analysis showed the changes of material density and porosity in the degradation front (density: 1.98 g/cm3, porosity: 40%) and the carbonated zone (density: 2.27 g/cm3, porosity: 23%) after reaction with CO2- saturated water for 5 months compared to unaltered cement (density: 2.15 g/cm3, porosity:more » 30%). Three-dimensional XMT imaging was capable of displaying spatially heterogeneous alteration in cement pores, calcium carbonate precipitation in cement cracks, and preferential cement alteration along the cement-steel and cement-rock interfaces. This result also indicates that the interface between cement and host rock or steel casing is likely more vulnerable to a CO2 attack than the cement matrix in a wellbore environment. It is shown here that XMT imaging can potentially provide a new insight into the physical and chemical degradation of wellbore cement by CO2 leakage.« less

Anisotropic shrinkage of insect air sacs revealed in vivo by X-ray microtomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Liang; Chen, Rongchang; Du, Guohao; Yang, Yiming; Wang, Feixiang; Deng, Biao; Xie, Honglan; Xiao, Tiqiao

2016-09-01

Air sacs are thought to be the bellows for insect respiration. However, their exact mechanism of action as a bellows remains unclear. A direct way to investigate this problem is in vivo observation of the changes in their three-dimensional structures. Therefore, four-dimensional X-ray phase contrast microtomography is employed to solve this puzzle. Quantitative analysis of three-dimensional image series reveals that the compression of the air sac during respiration in bell crickets exhibits obvious anisotropic characteristics both longitudinally and transversely. Volumetric changes of the tracheal trunks in the prothorax further strengthen the evidence of this finding. As a result, we conclude that the shrinkage and expansion of the insect air sac is anisotropic, contrary to the hypothesis of isotropy, thereby providing new knowledge for further research on the insect respiratory system.

Visualizing the impact of living roots on rhizosphere soil structure using X-ray microtomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Menon, M.; Berli, M.; Ghezzehei, T. A.; Nico, P.; Young, M. H.; Tyler, S. W.

2009-04-01

The rhizosphere is an interface between bulk soil and plant root and plays a critical role in root water and nutrient uptake. In this study, we used X-ray Computerized Microtomography (microCT) to visualize soil structure around living roots non-destructively and with high spatial resolution. Four different plant species (Helianthus annuus, Lupinus hartwegii, Vigna radiata and Phaseolus lunatus), grown in four different porous materials (glass beads, medium and coarse sand, loam aggregates), were scanned with 10 μm spatial resolution, using the microtomography beamline 8.3.2 at the Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA. Sample cross section images clearly show contacts between roots and soil particles, connecting water films, air-water interfaces as well as some cellular features of the plants taproots. We found with a simulation experiment, inflating a cylindrical micro-balloon in a pack of air-dry loam aggregates, that soil fracturing rather than compaction might occur around a taproot growing in dry soil. Form these preliminary experiments, we concluded that microCT has potential as a tool for a more process-based understanding of the role of rhizosphere soil structure on soil fertility, plant growth and the water balance at the earth-atmosphere interface.

Quantitative 3D comparison of biofilm imaged by X-ray micro-tomography and two-photon laser scanning microscopy.

PubMed

Larue, A E; Swider, P; Duru, P; Daviaud, D; Quintard, M; Davit, Y

2018-06-21

Optical imaging techniques for biofilm observation, like laser scanning microscopy, are not applicable when investigating biofilm formation in opaque porous media. X-ray micro-tomography (X-ray CMT) might be an alternative but it finds limitations in similarity of X-ray absorption coefficients for the biofilm and aqueous phases. To overcome this difficulty, barium sulphate was used in Davit et al. (2011) to enable high-resolution 3D imaging of biofilm via X-ray CMT. However, this approach lacks comparison with well-established imaging methods, which are known to capture the fine structures of biofilms, as well as uncertainty quantification. Here, we compare two-photon laser scanning microscopy (TPLSM) images of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa biofilm grown in glass capillaries against X-ray CMT using an improved protocol where barium sulphate is combined with low-gelling temperature agarose to avoid sedimentation. Calibrated phantoms consisting of mono-dispersed fluorescent and X-ray absorbent beads were used to evaluate the uncertainty associated with our protocol along with three different segmentation techniques, namely hysteresis, watershed and region growing, to determine the bias relative to image binarization. Metrics such as volume, 3D surface area and thickness were measured and comparison of both imaging modalities shows that X-ray CMT of biofilm using our protocol yields an accuracy that is comparable and even better in certain respects than TPLSM, even in a nonporous system that is largely favourable to TPLSM. © 2018 The Authors Journal of Microscopy © 2018 Royal Microscopical Society.

Quantitative measurements of localized density variations in cylindrical tablets using X-ray microtomography.

PubMed

Busignies, Virginie; Leclerc, Bernard; Porion, Patrice; Evesque, Pierre; Couarraze, Guy; Tchoreloff, Pierre

2006-08-01

Direct compaction is a complex process that results in a density distribution inside the tablets which is often heterogeneous. Therefore, the density variations may affect the compact properties. A quantitative analysis of this phenomenon is still lacking. Recently, X-ray microtomography has been successfully used in pharmaceutical development to study qualitatively the impact of tablet shape and break-line in the density of pharmaceutical tablets. In this study, we evaluate the density profile in microcrystalline cellulose (Vivapur 12) compacts obtained at different mean porosity (ranging from 7.7% to 33.5%) using X-ray tomography technique. First, the validity of the Beer-Lambert law is studied. Then, density calibration is performed and density maps of cylindrical tablets are obtained and visualized using a process with colour-scale calibration plot which is explained. As expected, important heterogeneity in density is observed and quantified. The higher densities in peripheral region were particularly investigated and appraised in regard to the lower densities observed in the middle of the tablet. The results also underlined that in the case of pharmaceutical tablets, it is important to differentiate the mechanical properties representative of the total volume tablet and the mechanical properties that only characterize the tablet surface like the Brinell hardness measurements.

Structural investigation of spherical hollow excipient Mannit Q by X-ray microtomography.

PubMed

Kajihara, Ryusuke; Noguchi, Shuji; Iwao, Yasunori; Yasuda, Yuki; Segawa, Megumi; Itai, Shigeru

2015-11-10

The structure of Mannit Q particles, an excipient made by spray-drying a d-mannitol solution, and Mannit Q tablets were investigated by synchrotron X-ray microtomography. The Mannit Q particles had a spherical shape with a hollow core. The shells of the particles consisted of fine needle-shaped crystals, and columnar crystals were present in the hollows. These structural features suggested the following formation mechanism for the hollow particles:during the spray-drying process, the solvent rapidly evaporated from the droplet surface, resulting in the formation of shells made of fine needle-shaped crystals.Solvent remaining inside the shells then evaporated slowly and larger columnar crystals grew as the hollows formed. Although most of the Mannit Q particles were crushed on tableting, some of the particles retained their hollow structures, probably because the columnar crystals inside the hollows functioned as props. This demonstrated that the tablets with porous void spaces may be readily manufactured using Mannit Q. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Imaging the Transport of Silver Nanoparticles Through Soil With Synchrotron X-ray Microtomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Molnar, I. L.; Gerhard, J.; O'Carroll, D. M.; Willson, C. S.

2012-12-01

Synchrotron x-ray computed microtomography (SXCMT) offers the ability to examine the spatial distribution of contaminants within the pore space of a porous medium; examples include the distribution of nonaqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) and micro-sized colloids. Recently presented was a method, based upon the application of the Beer-Lambert law and K-edge imaging, for using SXCMT to accurately determine the distribution of silver nanoparticles in a porous medium (Molnar et al., AGU Fall Meeting, H53B-1418, 2011). By capturing a series of SXCMT images of a single sample evolving over time, this technique can study the changing distribution of nanoparticles throughout the pore-network and even within individual pores. While previous work on this method focused on accuracy, precision and its potential applications, this study will provide an in-depth analysis of the results of multiple silver nanoparticle transport experiments imaged using this new technique. SXCMT images were collected at various stages of silver nanoparticle injection into columns packed with well graded and poorly graded quartz sand, iron oxide sand and glass bead porous media. The collected images were used to explore the influences of grain type, size and shape on the transport of silver nanoparticles through soil. The results of this analysis illustrate how SXCMT can collect hitherto unobtainable data which can yield valuable insights into the factors affecting nanoparticle transport through soil.

Pore-Scale Determination of Gas Relative Permeability in Hydrate-Bearing Sediments Using X-Ray Computed Micro-Tomography and Lattice Boltzmann Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Xiongyu; Verma, Rahul; Espinoza, D. Nicolas; Prodanović, Maša.

2018-01-01

This work uses X-ray computed micro-tomography (μCT) to monitor xenon hydrate growth in a sandpack under the excess gas condition. The μCT images give pore-scale hydrate distribution and pore habit in space and time. We use the lattice Boltzmann method to calculate gas relative permeability (krg) as a function of hydrate saturation (Shyd) in the pore structure of the experimental hydrate-bearing sand retrieved from μCT data. The results suggest the krg - Shyd data fit well a new model krg = (1-Shyd)·exp(-4.95·Shyd) rather than the simple Corey model. In addition, we calculate krg-Shyd curves using digital models of hydrate-bearing sand based on idealized grain-attaching, coarse pore-filling, and dispersed pore-filling hydrate habits. Our pore-scale measurements and modeling show that the krg-Shyd curves are similar regardless of whether hydrate crystals develop grain-attaching or coarse pore-filling habits. The dispersed pore filling habit exhibits much lower gas relative permeability than the other two, but it is not observed in the experiment and not compatible with Ostwald ripening mechanisms. We find that a single grain-shape factor can be used in the Carman-Kozeny equation to calculate krg-Shyd data with known porosity and average grain diameter, suggesting it is a useful model for hydrate-bearing sand.

Quantitative Analysis Of Three-dimensional Branching Systems From X-ray Computed Microtomography Data

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

McKinney, Adriana L.; Varga, Tamas

Branching structures such as lungs, blood vessels and plant roots play a critical role in life. Growth, structure, and function of these branching structures have an immense effect on our lives. Therefore, quantitative size information on such structures in their native environment is invaluable for studying their growth and the effect of the environment on them. X-ray computed tomography (XCT) has been an effective tool for in situ imaging and analysis of branching structures. We developed a costless tool that approximates the surface and volume of branching structures. Our methodology of noninvasive imaging, segmentation and extraction of quantitative information ismore » demonstrated through the analysis of a plant root in its soil medium from 3D tomography data. XCT data collected on a grass specimen was used to visualize its root structure. A suite of open-source software was employed to segment the root from the soil and determine its isosurface, which was used to calculate its volume and surface. This methodology of processing 3D data is applicable to other branching structures even when the structure of interest is of similar x-ray attenuation to its environment and difficulties arise with sample segmentation.« less

3-D characterization of weathered building limestones by high resolution synchrotron X-ray microtomography.

PubMed

Rozenbaum, O

2011-04-15

Understanding the weathering processes of building stones and more generally of their transfer properties requires detailed knowledge of the porosity characteristics. This study aims at analyzing three-dimensional images obtained by X-ray microtomography of building stones. In order to validate these new results a weathered limestone previously characterised (Rozenbaum et al., 2007) by two-dimensional image analysis was selected. The 3-D images were analysed by a set of mathematical tools that enable the description of the pore and solid phase distribution. Results show that 3-D image analysis is a powerful technique to characterise the morphological, structural and topological differences due to weathering. The paper also discusses criteria for mathematically determining whether a stone is weathered or not. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

High-contrast x-ray microtomography in dental research

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davis, Graham; Mills, David

2017-09-01

X-ray microtomography (XMT) is a well-established technique in dental research. The technique has been used extensively to explore the complex morphology of the root canal system, and to qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate root canal instrumentation and filling efficacy in extracted teeth; enabling different techniques to be compared. Densitometric information can be used to identify and map demineralized tissue resulting from tooth decay (caries) and, in extracted teeth, the method can be used to evaluate different methods of excavation. More recently, high contrast XMT is being used to investigate the relationship between external insults to teeth and the pulpal reaction. When such insults occur, fluid may flow through dentinal tubules as a result of cracking or porosity in enamel. Over time, there is an increase in mineralization along the paths of the tubules from the pulp to the damaged region in enamel and this can be visualized using high contrast XMT. The scanner used for this employs time-delay integration to minimize the effects of detector inhomogeneity in order to greatly increase the upper limit on signal-to-noise ratio that can be achieved with long exposure times. When enamel cracks are present in extracted teeth, the presence of these pathways indicates that the cracking occurred prior to extraction. At high contrast, growth lines are occasionally seen in deciduous teeth which may have resulted from periods of maternal illness. Various other anomalies in mineralization resulting from trauma or genetic abnormalities can also be investigated using this technique.

Structural changes of polymer-coated microgranules and excipients on tableting investigated by microtomography using synchrotron X-ray radiation.

PubMed

Kajihara, Ryusuke; Noguchi, Shuji; Iwao, Yasunori; Suzuki, Yoshio; Terada, Yasuko; Uesugi, Kentaro; Itai, Shigeru

2015-03-15

Multiple-unit tablets consisting of polymer-coated microgranules and excipients have a number of advantageous pharmaceutical properties. Polymer-coated microgranules are known to often lose their functionality because of damage to the polymer coating caused by tableting, and the mechanism of polymer coating damage as well as the structural changes of excipients upon tableting had been investigated but without in-situ visualization and quantitative analysis. To elucidate the mechanism of coating damage, the internal structures of multiple-unit tablets were investigated by X-ray computed microtomography using synchrotron X-rays. Cross sectional images of the tablets with sub-micron spatial resolution clearly revealed that void spaces remained around the compressed excipient particles in the tablets containing an excipient composed of cellulose and lactose (Cellactose(®) 80), whereas much smaller void spaces remained in the tablets containing an excipient made of sorbitol (Parteck(®) SI 150). The relationships between the void spaces and the physical properties of the tablets such as hardness and disintegration were investigated. Damage to the polymer coating in tablets was found mainly where polymer-coated microgranules were in direct contact with each other in both types of tablets, which could be attributed to the difference in hardness of excipient particles and the core of the polymer-coated microgranules. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

X-ray absorption microtomography (microCT) and small beam diffraction mapping of sea urchin teeth.

PubMed

Stock, S R; Barss, J; Dahl, T; Veis, A; Almer, J D

2002-07-01

Two noninvasive X-ray techniques, laboratory X-ray absorption microtomography (microCT) and X-ray diffraction mapping, were used to study teeth of the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus. MicroCT revealed low attenuation regions at near the tooth's stone part and along the carinar process-central prism boundary; this latter observation appears to be novel. The expected variation of Mg fraction x in the mineral phase (calcite, Ca(1-x)Mg(x)CO(3)) cannot account for all of the linear attenuation coefficient decrease in the two zones: this suggested that soft tissue is localized there. Transmission diffraction mapping (synchrotron X-radiation, 80.8 keV, 0.1 x 0.1mm(2) beam area, 0.1mm translation grid, image plate area detector) simultaneously probed variations in 3-D and showed that the crystal elements of the "T"-shaped tooth were very highly aligned. Diffraction patterns from the keel (adaxial web) and from the abaxial flange (containing primary plates and the stone part) differed markedly. The flange contained two populations of identically oriented crystal elements with lattice parameters corresponding to x=0.13 and x=0.32. The keel produced one set of diffraction spots corresponding to the lower x. The compositions were more or less equivalent to those determined by others for camarodont teeth, and the high Mg phase is expected to be disks of secondary mineral epitaxially related to the underlying primary mineral element. Lattice parameter gradients were not noted in the keel or flange. Taken together, the microCT and diffraction results indicated that there was a band of relatively high protein content, of up to approximately 0.25 volume fraction, in the central part of the flange and paralleling its adaxial and abaxial faces. X-ray microCT and microdiffraction data used in conjunction with protein distribution data will be crucial for understanding the properties of various biocomposites and their mechanical functions.

Overcoming the fragility - X-ray computed micro-tomography elucidates brachiopod endoskeletons.

PubMed

Seidel, Ronald; Lüter, Carsten

2014-01-01

The calcareous shells of brachiopods offer a wealth of informative characters for taxonomic and phylogenetic investigations. In particular scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has been used for decades to visualise internal structures of the shell. However, to produce informative SEM data, brachiopod shells need to be opened after chemical removal of the soft tissue. This preparation occasionally damages the shell. Additionally, skeletal elements of taxonomic/systematic interest such as calcareous spicules which are loosely embedded in the lophophore and mantle connective tissue become disintegrated during the preparation process. Using a nondestructive micro-computed tomography (μCT) approach, the entire fragile endoskeleton of brachiopods is documented for the first time. New insights on the structure and position of tissue-bound skeletal elements (spicules) are given as add ons to existing descriptions of brachiopod shell anatomy, thereby enhancing the quality and quantity of informative characters needed for both taxonomic and phylogenetic studies. Here, we present five modern, articulated brachiopods (Rectocalathis schemmgregoryi n. gen., n. sp., Eucalathis sp., Gryphus vitreus, Liothyrella neozelanica and Terebratulina retusa) that were X-rayed using a Phoenix Nanotom XS 180 NF. We provide links to download 3D models of these species, and additional five species with spicules can be accessed in the Supplemental Material. In total, 17 brachiopod genera covering all modern articulated subgroups and 2 inarticulated genera were X-rayed for morphological analysis. Rectocalathis schemmgregoryi n. gen., n. sp. is fully described. Micro-CT is an excellent non-destructive tool for investigating calcified structures in the exo- and endoskeletons of brachiopods. With high quality images and interactive 3D models, this study provides a comprehensive description of the profound differences in shell anatomy, facilitates the detection of new delicate morphological characters

The use of microtomography in bone tissue and biomaterial three-dimensional analysis.

PubMed

Bedini, Rossella; Meleo, Deborah; Pecci, Raffaella; Pacifici, Luciano

2009-01-01

X-ray computed microtomography (micro-CT, microComputerised Tomography) is a miniaturized form of conventional computerized axial tomography (CAT ). This sophisticated technology enables 3D riconstruction of the internal structure of small X-ray opaque objects without sample destruction or preparation. The aim of this study is to show the possible applications of micro-CT in the analysis of bone graft materials of different origins (i.e. homologous, heterologous, alloplastic) in order to define their morphometric properties by means of SkyScan 1072 3D microtomography system. Since there is a close relationship between the properties of the materials and their microstructure, it is necessary to examine them using the highest levels of resolution before being able to improve existing materials or create new products.

Investigation of the microstructure and mineralogical composition of urinary calculi fragments by synchrotron radiation X-ray microtomography: a feasibility study.

PubMed

Kaiser, Jozef; Holá, Markéta; Galiová, Michaela; Novotný, Karel; Kanický, Viktor; Martinec, Petr; Sčučka, Jiří; Brun, Francesco; Sodini, Nicola; Tromba, Giuliana; Mancini, Lucia; Kořistková, Tamara

2011-08-01

The outcomes from the feasibility study on utilization of synchrotron radiation X-ray microtomography (SR-μCT) to investigate the texture and the quantitative mineralogical composition of selected calcium oxalate-based urinary calculi fragments are presented. The comparison of the results obtained by SR-μCT analysis with those derived from current standard analytical approaches is provided. SR-μCT is proved as a potential effective technique for determination of texture, 3D microstructure, and composition of kidney stones.

Natural and laboratory compaction bands in porous carbonates: a three-dimensional characterization using synchrotron X-ray computed microtomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cilona, A.; Arzilli, F.; Mancini, L.; Emanuele, T.

2014-12-01

Porous carbonates form important reservoirs for water and hydrocarbons. The fluid flow properties of carbonate reservoirs may be affected by post-depositional processes (e.g., mechanical and chemical), which need to be quantified. Field-based studies described bed-parallel compaction bands (CBs) within carbonates with a wide range of porosities. These burial-related structures accommodate volumetric strain by grain rotation, translation, pore collapse and pressure solution. Recently, the same structures have been reproduced for the first time in the laboratory by performing triaxial compaction experiments on porous grainstones. These laboratory studies characterized and compared the microstructures of natural and laboratory CBs, but no analysis of pore connectivity has been performed. In this paper, we use an innovative approach to characterize the pore networks (e.g. porosity, connectivity) of natural and laboratory CBs and compare them with the host rock one. We collected the data using the synchrotron X-ray computed microtomography technique at the SYRMEP beamline of the Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste Laboratory (Italy). Quantitative analyses of the samples were performed with the Pore3D software library. The porosity was calculated from segmented 3D images of pristine and deformed carbonates. A process of skeletonization was then applied to quantify the number of connected pores within the rock volume. The analysis of the skeleton allowed us to highlight the differences between natural and laboratory CBs, and to investigate how pore connectivity evolves as a function of different deformation pathways. Both pore volume and connectivity are reduced within the CBs respect to the pristine rock and the natural CB has a lower porosity with respect to the laboratory one. The grain contacts in the natural CB are welded, whereas in the laboratory one they have more irregular shapes and grain crushing is the predominant process.

Fast X-Ray Fluorescence Microtomography of Hydrated Biological Samples

PubMed Central

Lombi, Enzo; de Jonge, Martin D.; Donner, Erica; Kopittke, Peter M.; Howard, Daryl L.; Kirkham, Robin; Ryan, Chris G.; Paterson, David

2011-01-01

Metals and metalloids play a key role in plant and other biological systems as some of them are essential to living organisms and all can be toxic at high concentrations. It is therefore important to understand how they are accumulated, complexed and transported within plants. In situ imaging of metal distribution at physiological relevant concentrations in highly hydrated biological systems is technically challenging. In the case of roots, this is mainly due to the possibility of artifacts arising during sample preparation such as cross sectioning. Synchrotron x-ray fluorescence microtomography has been used to obtain virtual cross sections of elemental distributions. However, traditionally this technique requires long data acquisition times. This has prohibited its application to highly hydrated biological samples which suffer both radiation damage and dehydration during extended analysis. However, recent advances in fast detectors coupled with powerful data acquisition approaches and suitable sample preparation methods can circumvent this problem. We demonstrate the heightened potential of this technique by imaging the distribution of nickel and zinc in hydrated plant roots. Although 3D tomography was still impeded by radiation damage, we successfully collected 2D tomograms of hydrated plant roots exposed to environmentally relevant metal concentrations for short periods of time. To our knowledge, this is the first published example of the possibilities offered by a new generation of fast fluorescence detectors to investigate metal and metalloid distribution in radiation-sensitive, biological samples. PMID:21674049

X-ray microtomography study of the compaction process of rods under tapping.

PubMed

Fu, Yang; Xi, Yan; Cao, Yixin; Wang, Yujie

2012-05-01

We present an x-ray microtomography study of the compaction process of cylindrical rods under tapping. The process is monitored by measuring the evolution of the orientational order parameter, local, and overall packing densities as a function of the tapping number for different tapping intensities. The slow relaxation dynamics of the orientational order parameter can be well fitted with a stretched-exponential law with stretching exponents ranging from 0.9 to 1.6. The corresponding relaxation time versus tapping intensity follows an Arrhenius behavior which is reminiscent of the slow dynamics in thermal glassy systems. We also investigated the boundary effect on the ordering process and found that boundary rods order faster than interior ones. In searching for the underlying mechanism of the slow dynamics, we estimated the initial random velocities of the rods under tapping and found that the ordering process is compatible with a diffusion mechanism. The average coordination number as a function of the tapping number at different tapping intensities has also been measured, which spans a range from 6 to 8.

Granule-by-granule reconstruction of a sandpile from x-ray microtomography data

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Seidler, G. T.; Martinez, G.; Seeley, L. H.

2000-12-01

Mesoscale disordered materials are ubiquitous in industry and in the environment. Any fundamental understanding of the transport and mechanical properties of such materials must follow from a thorough understanding of their structure. However, in the overwhelming majority of cases, experimental characterization of such materials has been limited to first- and second-order structural correlation functions, i.e., the mean filling fraction and the structural autocorrelation function. We report here the successful combination of synchrotron x-ray microtomography and image processing to determine the full three-dimensional real-space structure of a model disordered material, a granular bed of relatively monodisperse glass spheres. Specifically, we determinemore » the center location and the local connectivity of each granule. This complete knowledge of structure can be used to calculate otherwise inaccessible high-order correlation functions. We analyze nematic order parameters for contact bonds to characterize the geometric anisotropy or fabric induced by the sample boundary conditions. Away from the boundaries we find short-range bond orientational order exhibiting characteristics of the underlying polytetrahedral structure.« less

Phase contrast X-ray microtomography of the Rhodnius prolixus head: Comparison of direct reconstruction and phase retrieval approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Almeida, A. P.; Braz, D.; Nogueira, L. P.; Colaço, M. V.; Soares, J.; Cardoso, S. C.; Garcia, E. S.; Azambuja, P.; Gonzalez, M. S.; Mohammadi, S.; Tromba, G.; Barroso, R. C.

2014-02-01

We have used phase-contrast X-ray microtomography (PPC-μCT) to study the head of the blood-feeding bug, Rhodnius prolixus, which is one of the most important insect vector of Trypanosoma cruzi, ethiologic agent of Chagas disease in Latin America. Images reconstructed from phase-retrieved projections processed by ANKA phase are compared to those obtained through direct tomographic reconstruction of the flat-field-corrected transmission radiographs. It should be noted that the relative locations of the important morphological internal structures are observable with a precision that is difficult to obtain without the phase retrieval approach.

Synchrotron X-ray micro-tomography at the Advanced Light Source: Developments in high-temperature in-situ mechanical testing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barnard, Harold S.; MacDowell, A. A.; Parkinson, D. Y.; Mandal, P.; Czabaj, M.; Gao, Y.; Maillet, E.; Blank, B.; Larson, N. M.; Ritchie, R. O.; Gludovatz, B.; Acevedo, C.; Liu, D.

2017-06-01

At the Advanced Light Source (ALS), Beamline 8.3.2 performs hard X-ray micro-tomography under conditions of high temperature, pressure, mechanical loading, and other realistic conditions using environmental test cells. With scan times of 10s-100s of seconds, the microstructural evolution of materials can be directly observed over multiple time steps spanning prescribed changes in the sample environment. This capability enables in-situ quasi-static mechanical testing of materials. We present an overview of our in-situ mechanical testing capabilities and recent hardware developments that enable flexural testing at high temperature and in combination with acoustic emission analysis.

X-ray micro-tomography for investigations of brain tissues on cellular level

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khimchenko, Anna; Schulz, Georg; Deyhle, Hans; Thalmann, Peter; Zanette, Irene; Zdora, Marie-Christine; Bikis, Christos; Hipp, Alexander; Hieber, Simone E.; Schweighauser, Gabriel; Hench, Jürgen; Müller, Bert

2016-10-01

X-ray imaging in absorption contrast mode is well established for hard tissue visualization. However, performance for lower density materials is limited due to a reduced contrast. Our aim is three-dimensional (3D) characterization of micro-morphology of human brain tissues down to (sub-)cellular resolution within a laboratory environment. Using the laboratory-based microtomography (μCT) system nanotom m (GE Sensing and Inspection Technologies GmbH, Wunstorf, Germany) and synchrotron radiation at the Diamond-Manchester Imaging Branchline I13-2 (Diamond Light Source, Didcot, UK), we have acquired 3D data with a resolution down to 0.45 μm for visualization of a human cerebellum specimen down to cellular level. We have shown that all selected modalities, namely laboratory-based absorption contrast micro-tomography (LBμCT), synchrotron radiation based in-line single distance phase contrast tomography (SDPR) and synchrotron radiation based single-grating interferometry (GI), can reach cellular resolution for tissue samples with a size in the mm-range. The results are discussed qualitatively in comparison to optical microscopy of haematoxylin and eosin (HE) stained sections. As phase contrast yields to a better data quality for soft tissues and in order to overcome restrictions of limited beamline access for phase contrast measurements, we have equipped the μCT system nanotom m with a double-grating phase contrast set-up. Preliminary experimental results of a knee sample consisting of a bony part and a cartilage demonstrate that phase contrast data exhibits better quality compared to absorption contrast. Currently, the set-up is under adjustment. It is expected that cellular resolution would also be achieved. The questions arise (1) what would be the quality gain of laboratory-based phase contrast in comparison to laboratory-based absorption contrast tomography and (2) could laboratory-based phase contrast data provide comparable results to synchrotron radiation based

External and internal macromorphology in 3D-reconstructed maxillary molars using computerized X-ray microtomography.

PubMed

Bjørndal, L; Carlsen, O; Thuesen, G; Darvann, T; Kreiborg, S

1999-01-01

The aim of this study was to perform a qualitative analysis of the relationship between the external and internal macromorphology of the root complex and to use fractal dimension analysis to determine the correlation between the shape of the outer surface of the root and the shape of the root canal. On the basis of X-ray computed transaxial microtomography, a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the external and internal macromorphology of the root complex in permanent maxillary molars was performed using well-defined macromorphological variables and fractal dimension analysis. Five maxillary molars were placed between a microfocus X-ray tube with a focal spot size of 0.07 mm, a Thomson-SCF image intensifier, and a CCD camera compromising a detector for the tomograph. Between 100 and 240 tomographic 2D slices were made of each tooth. Assembling slices for 3D volume was carried out with subsequent median noise filtering. Segmentation into enamel, dentine and pulp space was achieved through thresholding followed by morphological filtering. Surface representations were then constructed. A useful visualization of the tooth was created by making the dental hard tissues transparent and the pulp chamber and root-canal system opaque. On this basis it became possible to assess the relationship between the external and internal macromorphology of the crown and root complex. There was strong agreement between the number, position and cross-section of the root canals and the number, position and degree of manifestation of the root complex macrostructures. Data from a fractal dimension analysis also showed a high correlation between the shape of the root canals and the corresponding roots. It is suggested that these types of 3D volumes constitute a platform for preclinical training in fundamental endodontic procedures.

About a method for compressing x-ray computed microtomography data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mancini, Lucia; Kourousias, George; Billè, Fulvio; De Carlo, Francesco; Fidler, Aleš

2018-04-01

The management of scientific data is of high importance especially for experimental techniques that produce big data volumes. Such a technique is x-ray computed tomography (CT) and its community has introduced advanced data formats which allow for better management of experimental data. Rather than the organization of the data and the associated meta-data, the main topic on this work is data compression and its applicability to experimental data collected from a synchrotron-based CT beamline at the Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste facility (Italy) and studies images acquired from various types of samples. This study covers parallel beam geometry, but it could be easily extended to a cone-beam one. The reconstruction workflow used is the one currently in operation at the beamline. Contrary to standard image compression studies, this manuscript proposes a systematic framework and workflow for the critical examination of different compression techniques and does so by applying it to experimental data. Beyond the methodology framework, this study presents and examines the use of JPEG-XR in combination with HDF5 and TIFF formats providing insights and strategies on data compression and image quality issues that can be used and implemented at other synchrotron facilities and laboratory systems. In conclusion, projection data compression using JPEG-XR appears as a promising, efficient method to reduce data file size and thus to facilitate data handling and image reconstruction.

Technical Note: Synchrotron-based high-energy x-ray phase sensitive microtomography for biomedical research

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liu, Huiqiang; Wu, Xizeng, E-mail: xwu@uabmc.edu, E-mail: tqxiao@sinap.ac.cn; Xiao, Tiqiao, E-mail: xwu@uabmc.edu, E-mail: tqxiao@sinap.ac.cn

Purpose: Propagation-based phase-contrast CT (PPCT) utilizes highly sensitive phase-contrast technology applied to x-ray microtomography. Performing phase retrieval on the acquired angular projections can enhance image contrast and enable quantitative imaging. In this work, the authors demonstrate the validity and advantages of a novel technique for high-resolution PPCT by using the generalized phase-attenuation duality (PAD) method of phase retrieval. Methods: A high-resolution angular projection data set of a fish head specimen was acquired with a monochromatic 60-keV x-ray beam. In one approach, the projection data were directly used for tomographic reconstruction. In two other approaches, the projection data were preprocessed bymore » phase retrieval based on either the linearized PAD method or the generalized PAD method. The reconstructed images from all three approaches were then compared in terms of tissue contrast-to-noise ratio and spatial resolution. Results: The authors’ experimental results demonstrated the validity of the PPCT technique based on the generalized PAD-based method. In addition, the results show that the authors’ technique is superior to the direct PPCT technique as well as the linearized PAD-based PPCT technique in terms of their relative capabilities for tissue discrimination and characterization. Conclusions: This novel PPCT technique demonstrates great potential for biomedical imaging, especially for applications that require high spatial resolution and limited radiation exposure.« less

Morphological Characterisation of Unstained and Intact Tissue Micro-architecture by X-ray Computed Micro- and Nano-Tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walton, Lucy A.; Bradley, Robert S.; Withers, Philip J.; Newton, Victoria L.; Watson, Rachel E. B.; Austin, Clare; Sherratt, Michael J.

2015-05-01

Characterisation and quantification of tissue structures is limited by sectioning-induced artefacts and by the difficulties of visualising and segmenting 3D volumes. Here we demonstrate that, even in the absence of X-ray contrast agents, X-ray computed microtomography (microCT) and nanotomography (nanoCT) can circumvent these problems by rapidly resolving compositionally discrete 3D tissue regions (such as the collagen-rich adventitia and elastin-rich lamellae in intact rat arteries) which in turn can be segmented due to their different X-ray opacities and morphologies. We then establish, using X-ray tomograms of both unpressurised and pressurised arteries that intra-luminal pressure not only increases lumen cross-sectional area and straightens medial elastic lamellae but also induces profound remodelling of the adventitial layer. Finally we apply microCT to another human organ (skin) to visualise the cell-rich epidermis and extracellular matrix-rich dermis and to show that conventional histological and immunohistochemical staining protocols are compatible with prior X-ray exposure. As a consequence we suggest that microCT could be combined with optical microscopy to characterise the 3D structure and composition of archival paraffin embedded biological materials and of mechanically stressed dynamic tissues such as the heart, lungs and tendons.

Morphological Characterisation of Unstained and Intact Tissue Micro-architecture by X-ray Computed Micro- and Nano-Tomography

PubMed Central

Walton, Lucy A.; Bradley, Robert S.; Withers, Philip J.; Newton, Victoria L.; Watson, Rachel E. B.; Austin, Clare; Sherratt, Michael J.

2015-01-01

Characterisation and quantification of tissue structures is limited by sectioning-induced artefacts and by the difficulties of visualising and segmenting 3D volumes. Here we demonstrate that, even in the absence of X-ray contrast agents, X-ray computed microtomography (microCT) and nanotomography (nanoCT) can circumvent these problems by rapidly resolving compositionally discrete 3D tissue regions (such as the collagen-rich adventitia and elastin-rich lamellae in intact rat arteries) which in turn can be segmented due to their different X-ray opacities and morphologies. We then establish, using X-ray tomograms of both unpressurised and pressurised arteries that intra-luminal pressure not only increases lumen cross-sectional area and straightens medial elastic lamellae but also induces profound remodelling of the adventitial layer. Finally we apply microCT to another human organ (skin) to visualise the cell-rich epidermis and extracellular matrix-rich dermis and to show that conventional histological and immunohistochemical staining protocols are compatible with prior X-ray exposure. As a consequence we suggest that microCT could be combined with optical microscopy to characterise the 3D structure and composition of archival paraffin embedded biological materials and of mechanically stressed dynamic tissues such as the heart, lungs and tendons. PMID:25975937

Interlaced X-ray diffraction computed tomography

PubMed Central

Vamvakeros, Antonios; Jacques, Simon D. M.; Di Michiel, Marco; Senecal, Pierre; Middelkoop, Vesna; Cernik, Robert J.; Beale, Andrew M.

2016-01-01

An X-ray diffraction computed tomography data-collection strategy that allows, post experiment, a choice between temporal and spatial resolution is reported. This strategy enables time-resolved studies on comparatively short timescales, or alternatively allows for improved spatial resolution if the system under study, or components within it, appear to be unchanging. The application of the method for studying an Mn–Na–W/SiO2 fixed-bed reactor in situ is demonstrated. Additionally, the opportunities to improve the data-collection strategy further, enabling post-collection tuning between statistical, temporal and spatial resolutions, are discussed. In principle, the interlaced scanning approach can also be applied to other pencil-beam tomographic techniques, like X-ray fluorescence computed tomography, X-ray absorption fine structure computed tomography, pair distribution function computed tomography and tomographic scanning transmission X-ray microscopy. PMID:27047305

Characterization of highly hydrophobic textiles by means of X-ray microtomography, wettability analysis and drop impact

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Santini, M.; Guilizzoni, M.; Fest-Santini, S.; Lorenzi, M.

2017-11-01

Highly hydrophobic surfaces have been intensively investigated in the last years because their properties may lead to very promising technological spillovers encompassing both everyday use and high-tech fields. Focusing on textiles, hydrophobic fabrics are of major interest for applications ranging from clothes to architecture to environment protection and energy conversion. Gas diffusion media - made by a gas diffusion layer (GDL) and a microporous layer (MPL) - for fuel cells are a good benchmark to develop techniques aimed at characterizing the wetting performances of engineered textiles. An experimental investigation was carried out about carbon-based, PTFE-treated GDLs with and without MPLs. Two samples (woven and woven-non-woven) were analysed before and after coating with a MPL. Their three-dimensional structure was reconstructed and analysed by computer-aided X-ray microtomography (µCT). Static and dynamic wettability analyses were then carried out using a modified axisymmetric drop shape analysis technique. All the surfaces exhibited very high hydrophobicity, three of them near to a super-hydrophobic behavior. Water drop impacts were performed, evidencing different bouncing, sticking and fragmentation outcomes for which critical values of the Weber number were identified. Finally, a µCT scan of a drop on a GDL was performed, confirming the Cassie-Baxter wetting state on such surface.

Magnetic resonance imaging and X-ray microtomography studies of a gel-forming tablet formulation.

PubMed

Laity, P R; Mantle, M D; Gladden, L F; Cameron, R E

2010-01-01

The capabilities of two methods for investigating tablet swelling are investigated, based on a study of a model gel-forming system. Results from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were compared with results from a novel application of X-ray microtomography (XmicroT) to track the movements of embedded glass microsphere tracers as the model tablets swelled. MRI provided information concerning the movement of hydration fronts into the tablets and the composition of the swollen gel layer, which formed at the tablet surface and progressively thickened with time. Conversely, XmicroT revealed significant axial expansion within the tablet core, at short times and ahead of the hydration fronts, where there was insufficient water to be observed by MRI (estimated to be around 15% by weight for the system used here). Thus, MRI and XmicroT may be regarded as complementary methods for studying the hydration and swelling behaviour of tablets. Copyright 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Reservoir Condition Pore-scale Imaging of Multiple Fluid Phases Using X-ray Microtomography

PubMed Central

Andrew, Matthew; Bijeljic, Branko; Blunt, Martin

2015-01-01

X-ray microtomography was used to image, at a resolution of 6.6 µm, the pore-scale arrangement of residual carbon dioxide ganglia in the pore-space of a carbonate rock at pressures and temperatures representative of typical formations used for CO2 storage. Chemical equilibrium between the CO2, brine and rock phases was maintained using a high pressure high temperature reactor, replicating conditions far away from the injection site. Fluid flow was controlled using high pressure high temperature syringe pumps. To maintain representative in-situ conditions within the micro-CT scanner a carbon fiber high pressure micro-CT coreholder was used. Diffusive CO2 exchange across the confining sleeve from the pore-space of the rock to the confining fluid was prevented by surrounding the core with a triple wrap of aluminum foil. Reconstructed brine contrast was modeled using a polychromatic x-ray source, and brine composition was chosen to maximize the three phase contrast between the two fluids and the rock. Flexible flow lines were used to reduce forces on the sample during image acquisition, potentially causing unwanted sample motion, a major shortcoming in previous techniques. An internal thermocouple, placed directly adjacent to the rock core, coupled with an external flexible heating wrap and a PID controller was used to maintain a constant temperature within the flow cell. Substantial amounts of CO2 were trapped, with a residual saturation of 0.203 ± 0.013, and the sizes of larger volume ganglia obey power law distributions, consistent with percolation theory. PMID:25741751

Microstructural investigation using synchrotron radiation X-ray microtomography reveals taste-masking mechanism of acetaminophen microspheres.

PubMed

Guo, Zhen; Yin, Xianzhen; Liu, Congbiao; Wu, Li; Zhu, Weifeng; Shao, Qun; York, Peter; Patterson, Laurence; Zhang, Jiwen

2016-02-29

The structure of solid drug delivery systems has considerable influence on drug release behaviors from particles and granules and also impacts other properties relevant to release characteristics such as taste. In this study, lipid-based microspheres of acetaminophen were prepared to mask the undesirable taste of drug and therefore to identify the optimal formulation for drug release. Synchrotron radiation X-ray computed microtomography (SR-μCT) was used to investigate the fine structural architectures of microspheres non-destructively at different sampling times during drug release test, which were simultaneously determined to quantitatively correlate the structural data with drug release behaviors. The results demonstrated that the polymeric formulation component, namely, cationic polymethacrylate (Eudragit E100), was the key factor to mask the bitter taste of acetaminophen by inhibiting immediate drug release thereby reducing the interaction intensity of the bitter material with the oral cavity taste buds. The structure and morphology of the microspheres were found to be influenced by the shape and particle size of the drug, which was also an important factor for taste-masking performance. The quantitative analysis generated detailed structural information which was correlated well with drug release behaviors. Thus, SR-μCT has been proved as a powerful tool to investigate the fine microstructure of particles and provides a new approach in the design of particles for taste masking. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Application of X-ray phase contrast micro-tomography to the identification of traditional Chinese medicines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ye, L. L.; Xue, Y. L.; Ni, L. H.; Tan, H.; Wang, Y. D.; Xiao, T. Q.

2013-07-01

Nondestructive and in situ investigation to the characteristic microstructures are important to the identification of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), especially for precious specimens and samples with oil contains. X-ray phase contrast micro-tomography (XPCMT) could be a practical solution for this kind of investigation. Fructus Foeniculi, a fruit kind of TCMs, is selected as the test sample. Experimental results show that the characteristic microstructures of Fructus Foeniculi, including vittae, vascular bundles, embryo, endosperm and the mesocarp reticulate cells around the vittae can be clearly distinguished and the integrated dissepiments microstructure in the vittae was observed successfully. Especially, for the first time, with virtual slice technique, it can investigate the liquid contains inside the TCMs. The results show that the vittae filled with volatile oil in the oil chamber were observed with this nondestructive and in situ 3-dimensional imaging technique. Furthermore, taking the advantage of micro-computed tomography, we can obtain the characteristic microstructures' quantitative information of the volume in liquid state. The volume of the oil chambers and the volatile oil, which are contained inside the vittae, was quantitatively analyzed. Accordingly, it can calculate the volume ratio of the volatile oil easily and accurately. As a result, we could conclude that XPCMT could be a useful tool for the nondestructive identification and quantitative analysis to TCMs.

New Developments and Geoscience Applications of Synchrotron Computed Microtomography (Invited)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rivers, M. L.; Wang, Y.; Newville, M.; Sutton, S. R.; Yu, T.; Lanzirotti, A.

2013-12-01

Computed microtomography is the extension to micron spatial resolution of the CAT scanning technique developed for medical imaging. Synchrotron sources are ideal for the method, since they provide a monochromatic, parallel beam with high intensity. High energy storage rings such as the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory produce x-rays with high energy, high brilliance, and high coherence. All of these factors combine to produce an extremely powerful imaging tool for earth science research. Techniques that have been developed include: - Absorption and phase contrast computed tomography with spatial resolution below one micron. - Differential contrast computed tomography, imaging above and below the absorption edge of a particular element. - High-pressure tomography, imaging inside a pressure cell at pressures above 10GPa. - High speed radiography and tomography, with 100 microsecond temporal resolution. - Fluorescence tomography, imaging the 3-D distribution of elements present at ppm concentrations. - Radiographic strain measurements during deformation at high confining pressure, combined with precise x-ray diffraction measurements to determine stress. These techniques have been applied to important problems in earth and environmental sciences, including: - The 3-D distribution of aqueous and organic liquids in porous media, with applications in contaminated groundwater and petroleum recovery. - The kinetics of bubble formation in magma chambers, which control explosive volcanism. - Studies of the evolution of the early solar system from 3-D textures in meteorites - Accurate crystal size distributions in volcanic systems, important for understanding the evolution of magma chambers. - The equation-of-state of amorphous materials at high pressure using both direct measurements of volume as a function of pressure and also by measuring the change x-ray absorption coefficient as a function of pressure. - The location and chemical speciation of toxic

Monitoring of stainless-steel slag carbonation using X-ray computed microtomography.

PubMed

Boone, Marijn A; Nielsen, Peter; De Kock, Tim; Boone, Matthieu N; Quaghebeur, Mieke; Cnudde, Veerle

2014-01-01

Steel production is one of the largest contributors to industrial CO2 emissions. This industry also generates large amounts of solid byproducts, such as slag and sludge. In this study, fine grained stainless-steel slag (SSS) is valorized to produce compacts with high compressive strength without the use of a hydraulic binder. This carbonation process is investigated on a pore-scale level to identify how the mineral phases in the SSS react with CO2, where carbonates are formed, and what the impact of these changes is on the pore network of the carbonated SSS compact. In addition to conventional research techniques, high-resolution X-ray computed tomography (HRXCT) is applied to visualize and quantify the changes in situ during the carbonation process. The results show that carbonates mainly precipitate at grain contacts and in capillary pores and this precipitation has little effect on the connectivity of the pore space. This paper also demonstrates the use of a custom-designed polymer reaction cell that allows in situ HRXCT analysis of the carbonation process. This shows the distribution and influence of water and CO2 in the pore network on the carbonate precipitation and, thus, the influence on the compressive strength development of the waste material.

Development of synchrotron X-ray micro-tomography under extreme conditions of pressure and temperature.

PubMed

Álvarez-Murga, M; Perrillat, J P; Le Godec, Y; Bergame, F; Philippe, J; King, A; Guignot, N; Mezouar, M; Hodeau, J L

2017-01-01

X-ray tomography is a non-destructive three-dimensional imaging/microanalysis technique selective to a wide range of properties such as density, chemical composition, chemical states and crystallographic structure with extremely high sensitivity and spatial resolution. Here the development of in situ high-pressure high-temperature micro-tomography using a rotating module for the Paris-Edinburgh cell combined with synchrotron radiation is described. By rotating the sample chamber by 360°, the limited angular aperture of ordinary high-pressure cells is surmounted. Such a non-destructive high-resolution probe provides three-dimensional insight on the morphological and structural evolution of crystalline as well as amorphous phases during high pressure and temperature treatment. To demonstrate the potentials of this new experimental technique the compression behavior of a basalt glass is investigated by X-ray absorption tomography, and diffraction/scattering tomography imaging of the structural changes during the polymerization of C 60 molecules under pressure is performed. Small size and weight of the loading frame and rotating module means that this apparatus is portable, and can be readily installed on most synchrotron facilities to take advantage of the diversity of three-dimensional imaging techniques available at beamlines. This experimental breakthrough should open new ways for in situ imaging of materials under extreme pressure-temperature-stress conditions, impacting diverse areas in physics, chemistry, geology or materials sciences.

Understanding how active volcanoes work: a contribution from synchrotron X-ray computed microtomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Polacci, M.; Baker, D. R.; Mancini, L.

2009-04-01

and their implications on the rheological properties of magmas and on the intensity of explosive activity at volcanoes. Andronico, D., R. A. Corsaro, A. Cristaldi, and M. Polacci (2008), Characterizing high energy explosive eruptions at Stromboli volcano using multidisciplinary data: An example from the 9 January 2005 explosion, J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 176, 541-550. Burton, M. R., H. M. Mader, and M. Polacci (2007), The role of gas percolation in quiescent degassing of persistently active volcanoes, E. Planet. Sci. Lett., 264, 46-60. Colò, L., D. R. Baker, M. Polacci, and M. Ripepe (2007), Magma vesiculation and infrasonic activity in open conduit volcanoes, abstract presented at the AGU 2007 Fall meeting, 10-14 December, San Francisco, California, USA. Piochi, M., M. Polacci, G. De Astis, R. Zanetti, A. Mangiacapra, R. Vannucci, and D. Giordano (2008), Texture and composition of pumices and scoriae from the Campi Flegrei caldera (Italy): implications on the dynamics of explosive eruptions, G-cubed, doi:10.1029/2007GC001746. Polacci, M., D. R. Baker, L. Mancini, G. Tromba, F. Zanini (2006), Three-dimensional investigation of volcanic textures by X-ray microtomography and implications for conduit processes, Geophys. Res. Lett., 33, L13312, doi:10.1029/2006GL026241. Polacci, M., D. R. Baker, L. Bai, and L. Mancini (2008a), Large vesicles record pathways of degassing at basaltic volcanoes, Bull. Volcanol., 70, 1023-1029, doi:10.1007/s00445-007-0184-8. Polacci, M., D. R. Baker, L. Mancini, S. Favretto, and R. Hill (2008b), Vesiculation in magmas from Stromboli (Aeolian Archipelago, Italy) and implications for normal Strombolian activity and paroxysmal explosions in basaltic systems, J. Geophys. Res., doi:10.1029/2008JB005802

X-ray microtomography analysis of soil structure deformation caused by centrifugation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schlüter, Steffen; Leuther, Frederic; Vogler, Steffen; Vogel, Hans-Jörg

2016-04-01

Centrifugation provides a fast method to measure soil water retention curves over a wide moisture range. However, deformation of soil structure may occur at high angular velocities in the centrifuge. The objective of this study was to capture these changes in soil structure with X-ray microtomography and to measure local deformations via digital volume correlation. Two samples were investigated that differ in texture and rock content. A detailed analysis of the pore space reveals an interplay between shrinkage due to drying and soil compaction due to compression. Macroporosity increases at moderate angular velocity because of crack formation due to moisture release. At higher angular velocities, corresponding to capillary pressure of <-100kPa, macroporosity decreases again because of structure deformation due to compression. While volume changes due to swelling clay minerals are immanent to any drying process, the compaction of soil is a specific drawback of the centrifugation method. A new protocol for digital volume correlation was developed to analyze the spatial heterogeneity of deformation. In both samples the displacement of soil constituents is highest in the top part of the sample and exhibits high lateral variability explained by the spatial distribution of macropores in the sample. Centrifugation should therefore only be applied after the completion of all other hydraulic or thermal experiments, or any other analysis that depends on the integrity of soil structure.

X-ray microtomography analysis of soil structure deformation caused by centrifugation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schlüter, S.; Leuther, F.; Vogler, S.; Vogel, H.-J.

2016-01-01

Centrifugation provides a fast method to measure soil water retention curves over a wide moisture range. However, deformation of soil structure may occur at high angular velocities in the centrifuge. The objective of this study was to capture these changes in soil structure with X-ray microtomography and to measure local deformations via digital volume correlation. Two samples were investigated that differ in texture and rock content. A detailed analysis of the pore space reveals an interplay between shrinkage due to drying and soil compaction due to compression. Macroporosity increases at moderate angular velocity because of crack formation due to moisture release. At higher angular velocities, corresponding to capillary pressure of ψ < -100 kPa, macroporosity decreases again because of structure deformation due to compression. While volume changes due to swelling clay minerals are immanent in any drying process, the compaction of soil is a specific drawback of the centrifugation method. A new protocol for digital volume correlation was developed to analyze the spatial heterogeneity of deformation. In both samples the displacement of soil constituents is highest in the top part of the sample and exhibits high lateral variability explained by the spatial distribution of macropores in the sample. Centrifugation should therefore only be applied after the completion of all other hydraulic or thermal experiments, or any other analysis that depends on the integrity of soil structure.

Search for Fluid Inclusions in a Carbonaceous Chondrite Using a New X-Ray Micro-Tomography Technique Combined with FIB Sampling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tsuchiyama, A.; Miyake, A.; Zolensky, M. E.; Uesugi, K.; Nakano, T.; Takeuchi, A.; Suzuki, Y.; Yoshida, K.

2014-01-01

Early solar system aqueous fluids are preserved in some H chondrites as aqueous fluid inclusions in halite (e.g., [1]). Although potential fluid inclusions are also expected in carbonaceous chondrites [2], they have not been surely confirmed. In order to search for these fluid inclusions, we have developped a new X-ray micro-tomography technique combined with FIB sampling and applied this techniqu to a carbanaceous chondrite. Experimental: A polished thin section of Sutter's Mill meteorite (CM) was observed with an optical microscope and FE-SEM (JEOL 7001F) for chosing mineral grains of carbonates (mainly calcite) and sulfides (FeS and ZnS) 20-50 microns in typical size, which may have aqueous fluid inclusions. Then, a "house" similar to a cube with a roof (20-30 microns in size) is sampled from the mineral grain by using FIB (FEI Quanta 200 3DS). Then, the house was atached to a thin W-needle by FIB and imaged by a SR-based imaging microtomography system with a Fresnel zone plate at beamline BL47XU, SPring-8, Japan. One sample was imaged at two X-ray energies, 7 and 8 keV, to identify mineral phases (dual-enegy microtomography: [3]). The size of voxel (pixel in 3D) was 50-80 nm, which gave the effective spatial resolution of approx. 200 nm. A terrestrial quartz sample with an aqueous fluid inclusion with a bubble was also examined as a test sample by the same method. Results and discussion: A fluid inclusion of 5-8 microns in quartz was clearly identified in a CT image. A bubble of approx. 4 microns was also identified as refraction contrast although the X-ray absorption difference between fluid and bubble is small. Volumes of the fluid and bubble were obtained from the 3D CT images. Fourteen grains of calcite, two grains of iron sulfide and one grain of (Zn,Fe)S were examined. Ten calcite, one iron sulfide and one (Zn,Fe)S grains have inclusions >1 micron in size (the maximum: approx. 5 microns). The shapes are spherical or irregular. Tiny inclusions (<1 micron

True-3D Strain Mapping for Assessment of Material Deformation by Synchrotron X-Ray Microtomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahn, J. J.; Toda, H.; Niinomi, M.; Kobayashi, T.; Akahori, T.; Uesugi, K.

2005-04-01

Downsizing of products with complex shapes has been accelerated thanks to the rapid development of electrodevice manufacturing technology. Micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) are one of such typical examples. 3D strain measurement of such miniature products is needed to ensure their reliability. In the present study, as preliminary trial for it 3D tensile deformation behavior of a pure aluminum wire is examined using the synchrotron X-ray microtomography technique at Spring-8, Japan. Multipurpose in-situ tester is used to investigate real-time tensile deformation behavior of the Al wire. Tensile tests are carried out under strokes of 0, 0.005, 0.01 and 0.015mm. It measures 3D local deformation of a region of interest by tracking a relative movement of a pair of particles at each point. Local deformation behavior of the Al wire is identified to be different from macroscopic deformation behavior. It may be closely associated with underlying microstructure.

True-3D Strain Mapping for Assessment of Material Deformation by Synchrotron X-Ray Microtomography

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ahn, J.J.; Toda, H.; Niinomi, M.

2005-04-09

Downsizing of products with complex shapes has been accelerated thanks to the rapid development of electrodevice manufacturing technology. Micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) are one of such typical examples. 3D strain measurement of such miniature products is needed to ensure their reliability. In the present study, as preliminary trial for it 3D tensile deformation behavior of a pure aluminum wire is examined using the synchrotron X-ray microtomography technique at Spring-8, Japan. Multipurpose in-situ tester is used to investigate real-time tensile deformation behavior of the Al wire. Tensile tests are carried out under strokes of 0, 0.005, 0.01 and 0.015mm. It measuresmore » 3D local deformation of a region of interest by tracking a relative movement of a pair of particles at each point. Local deformation behavior of the Al wire is identified to be different from macroscopic deformation behavior. It may be closely associated with underlying microstructure.« less

Synchrotron X-ray studies of the keel of the short-spined sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus: absorption microtomography (microCT) and small beam diffraction mapping.

PubMed

Stock, S R; Barss, J; Dahl, T; Veis, A; Almer, J D; Carlo, F

2003-05-01

In sea urchin teeth, the keel plays an important structural role, and this paper reports results of microstructural characterization of the keel of Lytechinus variegatus using two noninvasive synchrotron x-ray techniques: x-ray absorption microtomography (microCT) and x-ray diffraction mapping. MicroCT with 14 keV x-rays mapped the spatial distribution of mineral at the 1.3 microm level in a millimeter-sized fragment of a mature portion of the keel. Two rows of low absorption channels (i.e., primary channels) slightly less than 10 microm in diameter were found running linearly from the flange to the base of the keel and parallel to its sides. The primary channels paralleled the oral edge of the keel, and the microCT slices revealed a planar secondary channel leading from each primary channel to the side of the keel. The primary and secondary channels were more or less coplanar and may correspond to the soft tissue between plates of the carinar process. Transmission x-ray diffraction with 80.8 keV x-rays and a 0.1 mm beam mapped the distribution of calcite crystal orientations and the composition Ca(1-x)Mg(x)CO(3) of the calcite. Unlike the variable Mg concentration and highly curved prisms found in the keel of Paracentrotus lividus, a constant Mg content (x = 0.13) and relatively little prism curvature was found in the keel of Lytechinus variegatus.

X-ray luminescence computed tomography using a focused x-ray beam.

PubMed

Zhang, Wei; Lun, Michael C; Nguyen, Alex Anh-Tu; Li, Changqing

2017-11-01

Due to the low x-ray photon utilization efficiency and low measurement sensitivity of the electron multiplying charge coupled device camera setup, the collimator-based narrow beam x-ray luminescence computed tomography (XLCT) usually requires a long measurement time. We, for the first time, report a focused x-ray beam-based XLCT imaging system with measurements by a single optical fiber bundle and a photomultiplier tube (PMT). An x-ray tube with a polycapillary lens was used to generate a focused x-ray beam whose x-ray photon density is 1200 times larger than a collimated x-ray beam. An optical fiber bundle was employed to collect and deliver the emitted photons on the phantom surface to the PMT. The total measurement time was reduced to 12.5 min. For numerical simulations of both single and six fiber bundle cases, we were able to reconstruct six targets successfully. For the phantom experiment, two targets with an edge-to-edge distance of 0.4 mm and a center-to-center distance of 0.8 mm were successfully reconstructed by the measurement setup with a single fiber bundle and a PMT. (2017) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE).

Evaluation of the influence of acquisition parameters of microtomography in image quality applied by carbonate rocks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Santos, T. M. P.; Machado, A. S.; Araújo, O. M. O.; Ferreira, C. G.; Lopes, R. T.

2018-03-01

X-ray computed microtomography is a powerful nondestructive technique for 2D and 3D structure analysis. However, parameters used in acquisition promote directs influence in qualitative and quantitative results in characterization of samples, due image resolution. The aim of this study is value the influence of theses parameters in results through of tests changing these parameters in different situations and system characterization. Results demonstrate those pixel size and detector matrixes are the main parameters that influence in resolution and image quality. Microtomography was considered an excellent technique for characterization using the best image resolution possible.

A synchrotron radiation microtomography system for the analysis of trabecular bone samples.

PubMed

Salomé, M; Peyrin, F; Cloetens, P; Odet, C; Laval-Jeantet, A M; Baruchel, J; Spanne, P

1999-10-01

X-ray computed microtomography is particularly well suited for studying trabecular bone architecture, which requires three-dimensional (3-D) images with high spatial resolution. For this purpose, we describe a three-dimensional computed microtomography (microCT) system using synchrotron radiation, developed at ESRF. Since synchrotron radiation provides a monochromatic and high photon flux x-ray beam, it allows high resolution and a high signal-to-noise ratio imaging. The principle of the system is based on truly three-dimensional parallel tomographic acquisition. It uses a two-dimensional (2-D) CCD-based detector to record 2-D radiographs of the transmitted beam through the sample under different angles of view. The 3-D tomographic reconstruction, performed by an exact 3-D filtered backprojection algorithm, yields 3-D images with cubic voxels. The spatial resolution of the detector was experimentally measured. For the application to bone investigation, the voxel size was set to 6.65 microm, and the experimental spatial resolution was found to be 11 microm. The reconstructed linear attenuation coefficient was calibrated from hydroxyapatite phantoms. Image processing tools are being developed to extract structural parameters quantifying trabecular bone architecture from the 3-D microCT images. First results on human trabecular bone samples are presented.

Visualizing and Quantifying Pore Scale Fluid Flow Processes With X-ray Microtomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wildenschild, D.; Hopmans, J. W.; Vaz, C. M.; Rivers, M. L.

2001-05-01

When using mathematical models based on Darcy's law it is often necessary to simplify geometry, physics or both and the capillary bundle-of-tubes approach neglects a fundamentally important characteristic of porous solids, namely interconnectedness of the pore space. New approaches to pore-scale modeling that arrange capillary tubes in two- or three-dimensional pore space have been and are still under development: Network models generally represent the pore space by spheres while the pore throats are usually represented by cylinders or conical shapes. Lattice Boltzmann approaches numerically solve the Navier-Stokes equations in a realistic microscopically disordered geometry, which offers the ability to study the microphysical basis of macroscopic flow without the need for a simplified geometry or physics. In addition to these developments in numerical modeling techniques, new theories have proposed that interfacial area should be considered as a primary variable in modeling of a multi-phase flow system. In the wake of this progress emerges an increasing need for new ways of evaluating pore-scale models, and for techniques that can resolve and quantify phase interfaces in porous media. The mechanisms operating at the pore-scale cannot be measured with traditional experimental techniques, however x-ray computerized microtomography (CMT) provides non-invasive observation of, for instance, changing fluid phase content and distribution on the pore scale. Interfacial areas have thus far been measured indirectly, but with the advances in high-resolution imaging using CMT it is possible to track interfacial area and curvature as a function of phase saturation or capillary pressure. We present results obtained at the synchrotron-based microtomography facility (GSECARS, sector 13) at the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory. Cylindrical sand samples of either 6 or 1.5 mm diameter were scanned at different stages of drainage and for varying boundary

Optical imaging of oral pathological tissue using optical coherence tomography and synchrotron radiation computed microtomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cânjǎu, Silvana; Todea, Carmen; Sinescu, Cosmin; Negrutiu, Meda L.; Duma, Virgil; Mǎnescu, Adrian; Topalǎ, Florin I.; Podoleanu, Adrian Gh.

2013-06-01

The efforts aimed at early diagnosis of oral cancer should be prioritized towards developing a new screening instrument, based on optical coherence tomography (OCT), to be used directly intraorally, able to perform a fast, real time, 3D and non-invasive diagnosis of oral malignancies. The first step in this direction would be to optimize the OCT image interpretation of oral tissues. Therefore we propose plastination as a tissue preparation method that better preserves three-dimensional structure for study by new optical imaging techniques. The OCT and the synchrotron radiation computed microtomography (micro-CT) were employed for tissue sample analyze. For validating the OCT results we used the gold standard diagnostic procedure for any suspicious lesion - histopathology. This is a preliminary study of comparing features provided by OCT and Micro-CT. In the conditions of the present study, OCT proves to be a highly promising imaging modality. The use of x-ray based topographic imaging of small biological samples has been limited by the low intrinsic x-ray absorption of non-mineralized tissue and the lack of established contrast agents. Plastination can be used to enhance optical imagies of oral soft tissue samples.

Fundamentals and recent advances in X-ray micro computed tomography (microCT) applied on thermal-fluid dynamics and multiphase flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Santini, Maurizio

2015-11-01

X-ray computed tomography (CT) is a well-known technique nowadays, since its first practical application by Sir. G. Hounsfield (Nobel price for medicine 1979) has continually benefited from optimising improvements, especially in medical applications. Indeed, also application of CT in various engineering research fields provides fundamental informations on a wide range of applications, considering that the technique is not destructive, allowing 3D visualization without perturbation of the analysed material. Nowadays, it is technologically possible to design and realize an equipment that achieve a micrometric resolution and even improve the sensibility in revealing differences in materials having very radiotransparency, allowing i.e. to distinguish between different fluids (with different density) or states of matter (like with two-phase flows). At the University of Bergamo, a prototype of an X-ray microCT system was developed since 2008, so being fully operative from 2012, with specific customizations for investigations in thermal-fluid dynamics and multiphase flow researches. A technical session held at the UIT International Conference in L'Aquila (Italy), at which this paper is referring, has presented some microCT fundamentals, to allow the audience to gain basics to follow the “fil-rouge” that links all the instrumentation developments, till the recent applications. Hereinafter are reported some applications currently developed at Bergamo University at the X-ray computed micro-tomography laboratory.

A computed microtomography method for understanding epiphyseal growth plate fusion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Staines, Katherine A.; Madi, Kamel; Javaheri, Behzad; Lee, Peter D.; Pitsillides, Andrew A.

2017-12-01

The epiphyseal growth plate is a developmental region responsible for linear bone growth, in which chondrocytes undertake a tightly regulated series of biological processes. Concomitant with the cessation of growth and sexual maturation, the human growth plate undergoes progressive narrowing, and ultimately disappears. Despite the crucial role of this growth plate fusion ‘bridging’ event, the precise mechanisms by which it is governed are complex and yet to be established. Progress is likely hindered by the current methods for growth plate visualisation; these are invasive and largely rely on histological procedures. Here we describe our non-invasive method utilising synchrotron x-ray computed microtomography for the examination of growth plate bridging, which ultimately leads to its closure coincident with termination of further longitudinal bone growth. We then apply this method to a dataset obtained from a benchtop microcomputed tomography scanner to highlight its potential for wide usage. Furthermore, we conduct finite element modelling at the micron-scale to reveal the effects of growth plate bridging on local tissue mechanics. Employment of these 3D analyses of growth plate bone bridging is likely to advance our understanding of the physiological mechanisms that control growth plate fusion.

Three-dimensional morphology of the Sinocyclocheilus hyalinus (Cypriniformes : Cyprinidae) horn based on synchrotron X-ray microtomography.

PubMed

He, You; Chen, Xiao-Yong; Xiao, Ti-Qao; Yang, Jun-Xing

2013-10-01

Sinocyclocheilus is a cave-dwelling cyprinid genus endemic to southwest China. Several species possess a conspicuous horn on their head, which has been suggested as a constructive troglomorphic trait but lacks substantial evidence. We used non-invasive, high spatial resolution synchrotron X-ray microtomography to investigate the three-dimensional (3D) morphology of the horn of Sinocyclocheilus hyalinus, one of eight such troglobiotic species. 3D renderings demonstrated the osteological components, which were comprised of a rear wall comprised of the supraoccipital bone, a remaining frontal wall with numerous fenestrae, and the bottom continuous with the parietal and epiotic. A horn cavity occurred within the horn. The fenestrae in the frontal wall were continuous in the horn cavity and showed elaborate channeling, and were, connected to the cranial cavity by soft tissue. We tentatively called this configuration the "otocornual connection" due to its anatomic and putative functional similarity to the otolateralic connection in clupeids and loricariids, which provide an indirect pathway to enhance perception of underwater sound signals. This study provides a functional morphology context for further histological and physiological investigations of such horn structures in Sinocyclocheilus cavefish, and we suggest that the horn might enhance acoustic perception to compensate for visual loss in subterranean life, which warrants future physiological examination as lab-reared S. hyalinus become available. Sinocyclocheilus is a cave-dwelling cyprinid genus endemic to southwest China. Several species possess a conspicuous horn on their head, which has been suggested as a constructive troglomorphic trait but lacks substantial evidence. We used non-invasive, high spatial resolution synchrotron X-ray microtomography to investigate the three-dimensional (3D) morphology of the horn of Sinocyclocheilus hyalinus , one of eight such troglobiotic species. 3D renderings demonstrated

Recent observations with phase-contrast x-ray computed tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Momose, Atsushi; Takeda, Tohoru; Itai, Yuji; Tu, Jinhong; Hirano, Keiichi

1999-09-01

Recent development in phase-contrast X-ray computed tomography using an X-ray interferometer is reported. To observe larger samples than is possible with our previous X-ray interferometer, a large monolithic X-ray interferometer and a separated-type X-ray interferometer were studied. At the present time, 2.5 cm X 1.5 cm interference patterns have been generated with the X-ray interferometers using synchrotron X-rays. The large monolithic X-ray interferometer has produced interference fringes with 80% visibility, and has been used to measure various tissues. To produce images with higher spatial resolution, we fabricated another X-ray interferometer whose wafer was partially thinned by chemical etching. A preliminary test suggested that the spatial resolution has been improved.

Using synchrotron X-ray microtomography to characterize the pore network of reservoir rocks: A case study on carbonates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arzilli, F.; Cilona, A.; Mancini, L.; Tondi, E.

2016-09-01

In this work we propose a new methodology to calculate pore connectivity in granular rocks. This method is useful to characterize the pore networks of natural and laboratory compaction bands (CBs), and compare them with the host rock pore network. Data were collected using the synchrotron X-ray microtomography technique and quantitative analyses were carried out using the Pore3D software library. The porosity was calculated from segmented tridimensional images of deformed and pristine rocks. A process of skeletonization of the pore space was used to obtain the number of connected pores within the rock volume. By analyzing the skeletons the differences between natural and laboratory CBs were highlighted. The natural CB has a lower porosity than to the laboratory one. In natural CBs, the grain contacts appear welded, whereas laboratory CBs show irregular pore shape. Moreover, we assessed for the first time how pore connectivity evolves as a function of deformation, documenting the mechanism responsible for pore connectivity drop within the CBs.

In situ 3D topographic and shape analysis by synchrotron radiation X-ray microtomography for crystal form identification in polymorphic mixtures

PubMed Central

Yin, Xian-Zhen; Xiao, Ti-Qiao; Nangia, Ashwini; Yang, Shuo; Lu, Xiao-Long; Li, Hai-Yan; Shao, Qun; He, You; York, Peter; Zhang, Ji-Wen

2016-01-01

Polymorphism denotes the existence of more than one crystal structure of a substance, and great practical and theoretical interest for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. In many cases, it is challenging to produce a pure crystal form and establish a sensitive detection method for the identification of crystal form in a mixture of polymorphs. In this study, an accurate and sensitive method based on synchrotron radiation X-ray computed microtomography (SR-μCT) was devised to identify the polymorphs of clopidogrel bisulphate (CLP). After 3D reconstruction, crystal particles were extracted and dozens of structural parameters were calculated. Whilst, the particle shapes of the two crystal forms were all irregular, the surface of CLP II was found to be rougher than CLP I. In order to classify the crystal form based on the quantitative morphological property of particles, Volume Bias Percentage based on Surface Smoothing (VBP) was defined and a new method based on VBP was successfully developed, with a total matching rate of 99.91% for 4544 particles and a lowest detectable limit of 1%. More important for the mixtures in solid pharmaceutical formulations, the interference of excipients can be avoided, a feature cannot achieved by other available analytical methods. PMID:27097672

Characterization of adsorption sites on aggregate soil samples using synchrotron X-ray computerized microtomography.

PubMed

Altman, Susan J; Rivers, Mark L; Reno, Marissa D; Cygan, Randall T; McLain, Angela A

2005-04-15

Synchrotron-source X-ray computerized microtomography (CMT) was used to evaluate the adsorptive properties of aggregate soil samples. A linear relationship between measured mean mass attenuation coefficient (sigma) and mass fraction iron was generated by imaging mineral standards with known iron contents. On the basis of reported stoichiometries of the clay minerals and identifications of iron oxyhydroxides (1), we calculated the mass fraction iron and iron oxyhydroxide in the intergranular material. The mass fractions of iron were estimated to range from 0.17 to 0.22 for measurements made at 18 keV and from 0.18 to 0.21 for measurements made at 26 keV. One aggregate sample also contained regions within the intergranular material with mass fraction iron ranging from 0.29 to 0.31 and from 0.33 to 0.36 for the 18 and 26 keV measurements, respectively. The mass fraction iron oxyhydroxide ranged from 0.18 to 0.35 for the low-iron intergranular material and from 0.40 to 0.59 for the high-iron intergranular material. Using absorption edge difference imaging with CMT, we visualized cesium on the intergranular material, presumably because of adsorption and possible exchange reactions. By characterizing the mass fraction iron, the mass fraction iron oxyhydroxide, and the adsorptive capacity of these soil mineral aggregates, we provide information useful for conceptualization, development, and parametrization of transport models.

Computational Challenges in the Analysis of Petrophysics Using Microtomography and Upscaling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, J.; Pereira, G.; Freij-Ayoub, R.; Regenauer-Lieb, K.

2014-12-01

Microtomography provides detailed 3D internal structures of rocks in micro- to tens of nano-meter resolution and is quickly turning into a new technology for studying petrophysical properties of materials. An important step is the upscaling of these properties as micron or sub-micron resolution can only be done on the sample-scale of millimeters or even less than a millimeter. We present here a recently developed computational workflow for the analysis of microstructures including the upscaling of material properties. Computations of properties are first performed using conventional material science simulations at micro to nano-scale. The subsequent upscaling of these properties is done by a novel renormalization procedure based on percolation theory. We have tested the workflow using different rock samples, biological and food science materials. We have also applied the technique on high-resolution time-lapse synchrotron CT scans. In this contribution we focus on the computational challenges that arise from the big data problem of analyzing petrophysical properties and its subsequent upscaling. We discuss the following challenges: 1) Characterization of microtomography for extremely large data sets - our current capability. 2) Computational fluid dynamics simulations at pore-scale for permeability estimation - methods, computing cost and accuracy. 3) Solid mechanical computations at pore-scale for estimating elasto-plastic properties - computational stability, cost, and efficiency. 4) Extracting critical exponents from derivative models for scaling laws - models, finite element meshing, and accuracy. Significant progress in each of these challenges is necessary to transform microtomography from the current research problem into a robust computational big data tool for multi-scale scientific and engineering problems.

Cone-beam x-ray luminescence computed tomography based on x-ray absorption dosage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Tianshuai; Rong, Junyan; Gao, Peng; Zhang, Wenli; Liu, Wenlei; Zhang, Yuanke; Lu, Hongbing

2018-02-01

With the advances of x-ray excitable nanophosphors, x-ray luminescence computed tomography (XLCT) has become a promising hybrid imaging modality. In particular, a cone-beam XLCT (CB-XLCT) system has demonstrated its potential in in vivo imaging with the advantage of fast imaging speed over other XLCT systems. Currently, the imaging models of most XLCT systems assume that nanophosphors emit light based on the intensity distribution of x-ray within the object, not completely reflecting the nature of the x-ray excitation process. To improve the imaging quality of CB-XLCT, an imaging model that adopts an excitation model of nanophosphors based on x-ray absorption dosage is proposed in this study. To solve the ill-posed inverse problem, a reconstruction algorithm that combines the adaptive Tikhonov regularization method with the imaging model is implemented for CB-XLCT reconstruction. Numerical simulations and phantom experiments indicate that compared with the traditional forward model based on x-ray intensity, the proposed dose-based model could improve the image quality of CB-XLCT significantly in terms of target shape, localization accuracy, and image contrast. In addition, the proposed model behaves better in distinguishing closer targets, demonstrating its advantage in improving spatial resolution.

Cone-beam x-ray luminescence computed tomography based on x-ray absorption dosage.

PubMed

Liu, Tianshuai; Rong, Junyan; Gao, Peng; Zhang, Wenli; Liu, Wenlei; Zhang, Yuanke; Lu, Hongbing

2018-02-01

With the advances of x-ray excitable nanophosphors, x-ray luminescence computed tomography (XLCT) has become a promising hybrid imaging modality. In particular, a cone-beam XLCT (CB-XLCT) system has demonstrated its potential in in vivo imaging with the advantage of fast imaging speed over other XLCT systems. Currently, the imaging models of most XLCT systems assume that nanophosphors emit light based on the intensity distribution of x-ray within the object, not completely reflecting the nature of the x-ray excitation process. To improve the imaging quality of CB-XLCT, an imaging model that adopts an excitation model of nanophosphors based on x-ray absorption dosage is proposed in this study. To solve the ill-posed inverse problem, a reconstruction algorithm that combines the adaptive Tikhonov regularization method with the imaging model is implemented for CB-XLCT reconstruction. Numerical simulations and phantom experiments indicate that compared with the traditional forward model based on x-ray intensity, the proposed dose-based model could improve the image quality of CB-XLCT significantly in terms of target shape, localization accuracy, and image contrast. In addition, the proposed model behaves better in distinguishing closer targets, demonstrating its advantage in improving spatial resolution. (2018) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE).

Analysis of Soil Structure Turnover with Garnet Particles and X-Ray Microtomography

PubMed Central

Vogel, Hans-Jörg

2016-01-01

Matter turnover in soil is tightly linked to soil structure which governs the heterogeneous distribution of habitats, reaction sites and pathways in soil. Thereby, the temporal dynamics of soil structure alteration is deemed to be important for essential ecosystem functions of soil but very little is known about it. A major reason for this knowledge gap is the lack of methods to study soil structure turnover directly at microscopic scales. Here we devise a conceptual approach and an image processing workflow to study soil structure turnover by labeling some initial state of soil structure with small garnet particles and tracking their fate with X-ray microtomography. The particles adhere to aggregate boundaries at the beginning of the experiment but gradually change their position relative to the nearest pore as structure formation progresses and pores are destructed or newly formed. A new metric based on the contact distances between particles and pores is proposed that allows for a direct quantification of soil structure turnover rates. The methodology is tested for a case study about soil compaction of a silty loam soil during stepwise increase of bulk density (ρ = {1.1, 1.3, 1.5} g/cm3). We demonstrate that the analysis of mean contact distances provides genuinely new insights about changing diffusion pathways that cannot be inferred neither from conventional pore space attributes (porosity, mean pore size, pore connectivity) nor from deformation analysis with digital image correlation. This structure labeling approach to quantify soil structure turnover provides a direct analogy to stable isotope labeling for the analysis of matter turnover and can be readily combined with each other. PMID:27453995

The Grizzly Lake complex (Yellowstone Volcano, USA): Mixing between basalt and rhyolite unraveled by microanalysis and X-ray microtomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morgavi, Daniele; Arzilli, Fabio; Pritchard, Chad; Perugini, Diego; Mancini, Lucia; Larson, Peter; Dingwell, Donald B.

2016-09-01

Magma mixing is a widespread petrogenetic process. It has long been suspected to operate in concert with fractional crystallization and assimilation to produce chemical and temperature gradients in magmas. In particular, the injection of mafic magmas into felsic magma chambers is widely regarded as a key driver in the sudden triggering of what often become highly explosive volcanic eruptions. Understanding the mechanistic event chain leading to such hazardous events is a scientific goal of high priority. Here we investigate a mingling event via the evidence preserved in mingled lavas using a combination of X-ray computed microtomographic and electron microprobe analyses, to unravel the complex textures and attendant chemical heterogeneities of the mixed basaltic and rhyolitic eruption of Grizzly Lake in the Norris-Mammoth corridor of the Yellowstone Plateau volcanic field (YVF). We observe evidence that both magmatic viscous inter-fingering of magmas and disequilibrium crystallization/dissolution processes occur. Furthermore, these processes constrain the timescale of interaction between the two magmatic components prior to their eruption. X-ray microtomography images show variegated textural features, involving vesicle and crystal distributions, filament morphology, the distribution of enclaves, and further textural features otherwise obscured in conventional 2D observations and analyses. Although our central effort was applied to the determination of mixing end members, analysis of the hybrid portion has led to the discovery that mixing in the Grizzly Lake system was also characterized by the disintegration and dissolution of mafic crystals in the rhyolitic magma. The presence of mineral phases in both end member, for example, forsteritic olivine, sanidine, and quartz and their transport throughout the magmatic mass, by a combination of both mixing dynamics and flow imposed by ascent of the magmatic mass and its eruption, might have acted as a "geometric

Scanning transmission ion micro-tomography (STIM-T) of biological specimens.

PubMed

Schwertner, Micheal; Sakellariou, Arthur; Reinert, Tilo; Butz, Tilman

2006-05-01

Computed tomography (CT) was applied to sets of Scanning Transmission Ion Microscopy (STIM) projections recorded at the LIPSION ion beam laboratory (Leipzig) in order to visualize the 3D-mass distribution in several specimens. Examples for a test structure (copper grid) and for biological specimens (cartilage cells, cygospore) are shown. Scanning Transmission Micro-Tomography (STIM-T) at a resolution of 260 nm was demonstrated for the first time. Sub-micron features of the Cu-grid specimen were verified by scanning electron microscopy. The ion energy loss measured during a STIM-T experiment is related to the mass density of the specimen. Typically, biological specimens can be analysed without staining. Only shock freezing and freeze-drying is required to preserve the ultra-structure of the specimen. The radiation damage to the specimen during the experiment can be neglected. This is an advantage compared to other techniques like X-ray micro-tomography. At present, the spatial resolution is limited by beam position fluctuations and specimen vibrations.

Advantages of phase retrieval for fast x-ray tomographic microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mokso, R.; Marone, F.; Irvine, S.; Nyvlt, M.; Schwyn, D.; Mader, K.; Taylor, G. K.; Krapp, H. G.; Skeren, M.; Stampanoni, M.

2013-12-01

In near-field imaging with partially coherent x-rays, the phase shifting properties of the sample are encoded in the diffraction fringes that appear as an additional intensity modulation in the x-ray projection images. These Fresnel fringes are often regarded as purely an enhancement of the visibility at the interfaces. We show that retrieving the phase information contained in these patterns significantly advances the developments in fast micro-tomography. Improving temporal resolution without intensifying radiation damage implies a shortening of the exposure time rather than increasing the photon flux on the sample. Phase retrieval, to a large extent, compensates the consequent photon count moderation in the images, by fully exploiting the stronger refraction effect as compared with absorption. Two single-distance phase retrieval methods are evaluated for the case of an in situ 3 Hz micro-tomography of a rapidly evolving liquid foam, and an in vivo 6 Hz micro-tomography of a blowfly. A new dual-detector setup is introduced for simultaneous acquisition of two near-field diffraction patterns. Our goal is to couple high temporal, spatial and density resolution in a single imaging system in a dose-efficient manner, opening further options for dynamic four-dimensional studies.

Effects of X-Ray Dose On Rhizosphere Studies Using X-Ray Computed Tomography

PubMed Central

Zappala, Susan; Helliwell, Jonathan R.; Tracy, Saoirse R.; Mairhofer, Stefan; Sturrock, Craig J.; Pridmore, Tony; Bennett, Malcolm; Mooney, Sacha J.

2013-01-01

X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) is a non-destructive imaging technique originally designed for diagnostic medicine, which was adopted for rhizosphere and soil science applications in the early 1980s. X-ray CT enables researchers to simultaneously visualise and quantify the heterogeneous soil matrix of mineral grains, organic matter, air-filled pores and water-filled pores. Additionally, X-ray CT allows visualisation of plant roots in situ without the need for traditional invasive methods such as root washing. However, one routinely unreported aspect of X-ray CT is the potential effect of X-ray dose on the soil-borne microorganisms and plants in rhizosphere investigations. Here we aimed to i) highlight the need for more consistent reporting of X-ray CT parameters for dose to sample, ii) to provide an overview of previously reported impacts of X-rays on soil microorganisms and plant roots and iii) present new data investigating the response of plant roots and microbial communities to X-ray exposure. Fewer than 5% of the 126 publications included in the literature review contained sufficient information to calculate dose and only 2.4% of the publications explicitly state an estimate of dose received by each sample. We conducted a study involving rice roots growing in soil, observing no significant difference between the numbers of root tips, root volume and total root length in scanned versus unscanned samples. In parallel, a soil microbe experiment scanning samples over a total of 24 weeks observed no significant difference between the scanned and unscanned microbial biomass values. We conclude from the literature review and our own experiments that X-ray CT does not impact plant growth or soil microbial populations when employing a low level of dose (<30 Gy). However, the call for higher throughput X-ray CT means that doses that biological samples receive are likely to increase and thus should be closely monitored. PMID:23840640

Relationship between chemical structure of soil organic matter and intra-aggregate pore structure: evidence from X-ray computed micro-tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kravchenko, Alexandra; Grandy, Stuart A.

2014-05-01

Understanding chemical structure of soil organic matter (SOM) and factors that affect it are vital for gaining understanding of mechanisms of C sequestration by soil. Physical protection of C by adsorption to mineral particles and physical disconnection between C sources and microbial decomposers is now regarded as the key component of soil C sequestration. Both of the processes are greatly influenced by micro-scale structure and distribution of soil pores. However, because SOM chemical structure is typically studied in disturbed (ground and sieved) soil samples the experimental evidence of the relationships between soil pore structure and chemical structure of SOM are still scarce. Our study takes advantage of the X-ray computed micro-tomography (µ-CT) tools that enable non-destructive analysis of pore structure in intact soil samples. The objective of this study is to examine the relationship between SOM chemical structure and pore-characteristics in intact soil macro-aggregates from two contrasting long-term land uses. The two studied land use treatments are a conventionally tilled corn-soybean-wheat rotation treatment and a native succession vegetation treatment removed from agricultural use >20 years ago. The study is located in southwest Michigan, USA, on sandy-loam Typic Hapludalfs. For this study we used soil macro-aggregates 4-6 mm in size collected at 0-15 cm depth. The aggregate size was selected so as both to enable high resolution of µ-CT and to provide sufficient amount of soil for C measurements. X-ray µ-CT scanning was conducted at APS Argonne at a scanning resolution of 14 µm. Two scanned aggregates (1 per treatment) were used in this preliminary study. Each aggregate was cut into 7 "geo-referenced" sections. Analyses of pore characteristics in each section were conducted using 3DMA and ImageJ image analysis tools. SOM chemistry was analyzed using pyrolysis/gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. Results demonstrated that the relationships

Visualization of x-ray computer tomography using computer-generated holography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Daibo, Masahiro; Tayama, Norio

1998-09-01

The theory converted from x-ray projection data to the hologram directly by combining the computer tomography (CT) with the computer generated hologram (CGH), is proposed. The purpose of this study is to offer the theory for realizing the all- electronic and high-speed seeing through 3D visualization system, which is for the application to medical diagnosis and non- destructive testing. First, the CT is expressed using the pseudo- inverse matrix which is obtained by the singular value decomposition. CGH is expressed in the matrix style. Next, `projection to hologram conversion' (PTHC) matrix is calculated by the multiplication of phase matrix of CGH with pseudo-inverse matrix of the CT. Finally, the projection vector is converted to the hologram vector directly, by multiplication of the PTHC matrix with the projection vector. Incorporating holographic analog computation into CT reconstruction, it becomes possible that the calculation amount is drastically reduced. We demonstrate the CT cross section which is reconstituted by He-Ne laser in the 3D space from the real x-ray projection data acquired by x-ray television equipment, using our direct conversion technique.

Phase-contrast x-ray computed tomography for biological imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Momose, Atsushi; Takeda, Tohoru; Itai, Yuji

1997-10-01

We have shown so far that 3D structures in biological sot tissues such as cancer can be revealed by phase-contrast x- ray computed tomography using an x-ray interferometer. As a next step, we aim at applications of this technique to in vivo observation, including radiographic applications. For this purpose, the size of view field is desired to be more than a few centimeters. Therefore, a larger x-ray interferometer should be used with x-rays of higher energy. We have evaluated the optimal x-ray energy from an aspect of does as a function of sample size. Moreover, desired spatial resolution to an image sensor is discussed as functions of x-ray energy and sample size, basing on a requirement in the analysis of interference fringes.

Implant-Abutment Contact Surfaces and Microgap Measurements of Different Implant Connections Under 3-Dimensional X-Ray Microtomography.

PubMed

Scarano, Antonio; Valbonetti, Luca; Degidi, Marco; Pecci, Raffaella; Piattelli, Adriano; de Oliveira, P S; Perrotti, Vittoria

2016-10-01

The presence of a microgap between implant and abutment could produce a bacterial reservoir which could interfere with the long-term health of the periimplant tissues. The aim of this article was to evaluate, by x-ray 3-dimensional microtomography, implant-abutment contact surfaces and microgaps at the implant-abutment interface in different types of implant-abutment connections. A total of 40 implants were used in this in vitro study. Ten implants presented a screw-retained internal hexagon abutment (group I), 10 had a Morse Cone taper internal connection (group II), 10 another type of Morse Cone taper internal connection (group III), and 10 had a screwed trilobed connection (group IV). In both types of Morse Cone internal connections, there was no detectable separation at the implant-abutment in the area of the conical connection, and there was an absolute congruity without any microgaps between abutment and implant. No line was visible separating the implant and the abutment. On the contrary, in the screwed abutment implants, numerous gaps and voids were present. The results of this study support the hypothesis that different types of implant-abutment joints are responsible for the observed differences in bacterial penetration.

Characterization of Particle Size Standard NIST 1019b with SynchrotronX-ray Microtomography and Digital Data Extraction

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Friedrich, Jon M.; Rivers, Mark L.; Perlowitz, Michael A.

We show that synchrotron x-ray microtomography ({mu}CT) followed by digital data extraction can be used to examine the size distribution and particle morphologies of the polydisperse (750 to 2450 {micro}m diameter) particle size standard NIST 1019b. Our size distribution results are within errors of certified values with data collected at 19.5 {micro}m/voxel. One of the advantages of using {mu}CT to investigate the particles examined here is that the morphology of the glass beads can be directly examined. We use the shape metrics aspect ratio and sphericity to examine of individual standard beads morphologies as a function of spherical equivalent diameters.more » We find that the majority of standard beads possess near-spherical aspect ratios and sphericities, but deviations are present at the lower end of the size range. The majority (> 98%) of particles also possess an equant form when examined using a common measure of equidimensionality. Although the NIST 1019b standard consists of loose particles, we point out that an advantage of {mu}CT is that coherent materials comprised of particles can be examined without disaggregation.« less

Water Transport Properties of the Grape Pedicel during Fruit Development: Insights into Xylem Anatomy and Function Using Microtomography1[OPEN

PubMed Central

Fei, Jiong; McElrone, Andrew J.; Shackel, Kenneth A.; Matthews, Mark A.

2015-01-01

Xylem flow of water into fruits declines during fruit development, and the literature indicates a corresponding increase in hydraulic resistance in the pedicel. However, it is unknown how pedicel hydraulics change developmentally in relation to xylem anatomy and function. In this study on grape (Vitis vinifera), we determined pedicel hydraulic conductivity (kh) from pressure-flow relationships using hydrostatic and osmotic forces and investigated xylem anatomy and function using fluorescent light microscopy and x-ray computed microtomography. Hydrostatic kh (xylem pathway) was consistently 4 orders of magnitude greater than osmotic kh (intracellular pathway), but both declined before veraison by approximately 40% and substantially over fruit development. Hydrostatic kh declined most gradually for low (less than 0.08 MPa) pressures and for water inflow and outflow conditions. Specific kh (per xylem area) decreased in a similar fashion to kh despite substantial increases in xylem area. X-ray computed microtomography images provided direct evidence that losses in pedicel kh were associated with blockages in vessel elements, whereas air embolisms were negligible. However, vessel elements were interconnected and some remained continuous postveraison, suggesting that across the grape pedicel, a xylem pathway of reduced kh remains functional late into berry ripening. PMID:26077763

Visualizing and measuring flow in shale matrix using in situ synchrotron X-ray microtomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kohli, A. H.; Kiss, A. M.; Kovscek, A. R.; Bargar, J.

2017-12-01

Natural gas production via hydraulic fracturing of shale has proliferated on a global scale, yet recovery factors remain low because production strategies are not based on the physics of flow in shale reservoirs. In particular, the physical mechanisms and time scales of depletion from the matrix into the simulated fracture network are not well understood, limiting the potential to optimize operations and reduce environmental impacts. Studying matrix flow is challenging because shale is heterogeneous and has porosity from the μm- to nm-scale. Characterizing nm-scale flow paths requires electron microscopy but the limited field of view does not capture the connectivity and heterogeneity observed at the mm-scale. Therefore, pore-scale models must link to larger volumes to simulate flow on the reservoir-scale. Upscaled models must honor the physics of flow, but at present there is a gap between cm-scale experiments and μm-scale simulations based on ex situ image data. To address this gap, we developed a synchrotron X-ray microscope with an in situ cell to simultaneously visualize and measure flow. We perform coupled flow and microtomography experiments on mm-scale samples from the Barnett, Eagle Ford and Marcellus reservoirs. We measure permeability at various pressures via the pulse-decay method to quantify effective stress dependence and the relative contributions of advective and diffusive mechanisms. Images at each pressure step document how microfractures, interparticle pores, and organic matter change with effective stress. Linking changes in the pore network to flow measurements motivates a physical model for depletion. To directly visualize flow, we measure imbibition rates using inert, high atomic number gases and image periodically with monochromatic beam. By imaging above/below X-ray adsorption edges, we magnify the signal of gas saturation in μm-scale porosity and nm-scale, sub-voxel features. Comparing vacuumed and saturated states yields image

Spectrally resolving and scattering-compensated x-ray luminescence/fluorescence computed tomography

PubMed Central

Cong, Wenxiang; Shen, Haiou; Wang, Ge

2011-01-01

The nanophosphors, or other similar materials, emit near-infrared (NIR) light upon x-ray excitation. They were designed as optical probes for in vivo visualization and analysis of molecular and cellular targets, pathways, and responses. Based on the previous work on x-ray fluorescence computed tomography (XFCT) and x-ray luminescence computed tomography (XLCT), here we propose a spectrally-resolving and scattering-compensated x-ray luminescence/fluorescence computed tomography (SXLCT or SXFCT) approach to quantify a spatial distribution of nanophosphors (other similar materials or chemical elements) within a biological object. In this paper, the x-ray scattering is taken into account in the reconstruction algorithm. The NIR scattering is described in the diffusion approximation model. Then, x-ray excitations are applied with different spectra, and NIR signals are measured in a spectrally resolving fashion. Finally, a linear relationship is established between the nanophosphor distribution and measured NIR data using the finite element method and inverted using the compressive sensing technique. The numerical simulation results demonstrate the feasibility and merits of the proposed approach. PMID:21721815

Characterization of methane hydrate host sediments using synchrotron-computed microtomography (CMT)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Jones, K.W.; Feng, H.; Tomov, S.; Winters, W.J.; Prodanovic, M.; Mahajan, D.

2007-01-01

The hydrate-sediment interaction is an important aspect of gas hydrate studies that needs further examination. We describe here the applicability of the computed microtomography (CMT) technique that utilizes an intense X-ray synchrotron source to characterize sediment samples, two at various depths from the Blake Ridge area (a well-known hydrate-prone region) and one from Georges Bank, that once contained methane trapped as hydrates. Detailed results of the tomographic analysis performed on the deepest sample (667??m) from Blake Ridge are presented as 2-D and 3-D images which show several mineral constituents, the internal grain/pore microstructure, and, following segmentation into pore and grain space, a visualization of the connecting pathways through the pore-space of the sediment. Various parameters obtained from the analysis of the CMT data are presented for all three sediment samples. The micro-scale porosity values showed decreasing trend with increasing depth for all three samples that is consistent with the previously reported bulk porosity data. The 3-D morphology, pore-space pathways, porosity, and permeability values are also reported for all three samples. The application of CMT is now being expanded to the laboratory-formed samples of hydrate in sediments as well as field samples of methane hydrate bearing sediments.

Polyglycolic Acid–Polylactic Acid Scaffold Response to Different Progenitor Cell In Vitro Cultures: A Demonstrative and Comparative X-Ray Synchrotron Radiation Phase-Contrast Microtomography Study

PubMed Central

Moroncini, Francesca; Mazzoni, Serena; Belicchi, Marzia Laura Chiara; Villa, Chiara; Erratico, Silvia; Colombo, Elena; Calcaterra, Francesca; Brambilla, Lucia; Torrente, Yvan; Albertini, Gianni; Della Bella, Silvia

2014-01-01

Spatiotemporal interactions play important roles in tissue development and function, especially in stem cell-seeded bioscaffolds. Cells interact with the surface of bioscaffold polymers and influence material-driven control of cell differentiation. In vitro cultures of different human progenitor cells, that is, endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) from a healthy control and a patient with Kaposi sarcoma (an angioproliferative disease) and human CD133+ muscle-derived stem cells (MSH 133+ cells), were seeded onto polyglycolic acid–polylactic acid scaffolds. Three-dimensional (3D) images were obtained by X-ray phase-contrast microtomography (micro-CT) and processed with the Modified Bronnikov Algorithm. The method enabled high spatial resolution detection of the 3D structural organization of cells on the bioscaffold and evaluation of the way and rate at which cells modified the construct at different time points from seeding. The different cell types displayed significant differences in the proliferation rate. In conclusion, X-ray synchrotron radiation phase-contrast micro-CT analysis proved to be a useful and sensitive tool to investigate the spatiotemporal pattern of progenitor cell organization on a bioscaffold. PMID:23879738

Multi-Mounted X-Ray Computed Tomography.

PubMed

Fu, Jian; Liu, Zhenzhong; Wang, Jingzheng

2016-01-01

Most existing X-ray computed tomography (CT) techniques work in single-mounted mode and need to scan the inspected objects one by one. It is time-consuming and not acceptable for the inspection in a large scale. In this paper, we report a multi-mounted CT method and its first engineering implementation. It consists of a multi-mounted scanning geometry and the corresponding algebraic iterative reconstruction algorithm. This approach permits the CT rotation scanning of multiple objects simultaneously without the increase of penetration thickness and the signal crosstalk. Compared with the conventional single-mounted methods, it has the potential to improve the imaging efficiency and suppress the artifacts from the beam hardening and the scatter. This work comprises a numerical study of the method and its experimental verification using a dataset measured with a developed multi-mounted X-ray CT prototype system. We believe that this technique is of particular interest for pushing the engineering applications of X-ray CT.

Multi-Mounted X-Ray Computed Tomography

PubMed Central

Fu, Jian; Liu, Zhenzhong; Wang, Jingzheng

2016-01-01

Most existing X-ray computed tomography (CT) techniques work in single-mounted mode and need to scan the inspected objects one by one. It is time-consuming and not acceptable for the inspection in a large scale. In this paper, we report a multi-mounted CT method and its first engineering implementation. It consists of a multi-mounted scanning geometry and the corresponding algebraic iterative reconstruction algorithm. This approach permits the CT rotation scanning of multiple objects simultaneously without the increase of penetration thickness and the signal crosstalk. Compared with the conventional single-mounted methods, it has the potential to improve the imaging efficiency and suppress the artifacts from the beam hardening and the scatter. This work comprises a numerical study of the method and its experimental verification using a dataset measured with a developed multi-mounted X-ray CT prototype system. We believe that this technique is of particular interest for pushing the engineering applications of X-ray CT. PMID:27073911

Water Transport Properties of the Grape Pedicel during Fruit Development: Insights into Xylem Anatomy and Function Using Microtomography.

PubMed

Knipfer, Thorsten; Fei, Jiong; Gambetta, Gregory A; McElrone, Andrew J; Shackel, Kenneth A; Matthews, Mark A

2015-08-01

Xylem flow of water into fruits declines during fruit development, and the literature indicates a corresponding increase in hydraulic resistance in the pedicel. However, it is unknown how pedicel hydraulics change developmentally in relation to xylem anatomy and function. In this study on grape (Vitis vinifera), we determined pedicel hydraulic conductivity (kh) from pressure-flow relationships using hydrostatic and osmotic forces and investigated xylem anatomy and function using fluorescent light microscopy and x-ray computed microtomography. Hydrostatic kh (xylem pathway) was consistently 4 orders of magnitude greater than osmotic kh (intracellular pathway), but both declined before veraison by approximately 40% and substantially over fruit development. Hydrostatic kh declined most gradually for low (less than 0.08 MPa) pressures and for water inflow and outflow conditions. Specific kh (per xylem area) decreased in a similar fashion to kh despite substantial increases in xylem area. X-ray computed microtomography images provided direct evidence that losses in pedicel kh were associated with blockages in vessel elements, whereas air embolisms were negligible. However, vessel elements were interconnected and some remained continuous postveraison, suggesting that across the grape pedicel, a xylem pathway of reduced kh remains functional late into berry ripening. © 2015 American Society of Plant Biologists. All Rights Reserved.

Polarized x-ray excitation for scatter reduction in x-ray fluorescence computed tomography.

PubMed

Vernekohl, Don; Tzoumas, Stratis; Zhao, Wei; Xing, Lei

2018-05-25

X-ray fluorescence computer tomography (XFCT) is a new molecular imaging modality which uses x-ray excitation to stimulate the emission of fluorescent photons in high atomic number contrast agents. Scatter contamination is one of the main challenges in XFCT imaging which limits the molecular sensitivity. When polarized x rays are used, it is possible to reduce the scatter contamination significantly by placing detectors perpendicular to the polarization direction. This study quantifies scatter contamination for polarized and unpolarized x-ray excitation and determines the advantages of scatter reduction. The amount of scatter in preclinical XFCT is quantified in Monte Carlo simulations. The fluorescent x rays are emitted isotropically, while scattered x rays propagate in polarization direction. The magnitude of scatter contamination is studied in XFCT simulations of a mouse phantom. In this study, the contrast agent gold is examined as an example, but a scatter reduction from polarized excitation is also expected for other elements. The scatter reduction capability is examined for different polarization intensities with a monoenergetic x-ray excitation energy of 82 keV. The study evaluates two different geometrical shapes of CZT detectors which are modeled with an energy resolution of 1 keV FWHM at an x-ray energy of 80 keV. Benefits of a detector placement perpendicular to the polarization direction are shown in iterative and analytic image reconstruction including scatter correction. The contrast to noise ratio (CNR) and the normalized mean square error (NMSE) are analyzed and compared for the reconstructed images. A substantial scatter reduction for common detector sizes was achieved for 100% and 80% linear polarization while lower polarization intensities provide a decreased scatter reduction. By placing the detector perpendicular to the polarization direction, a scatter reduction by factor up to 5.5 can be achieved for common detector sizes. The image

Multimodal imaging of human cerebellum - merging X-ray phase microtomography, magnetic resonance microscopy and histology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schulz, Georg; Waschkies, Conny; Pfeiffer, Franz; Zanette, Irene; Weitkamp, Timm; David, Christian; Müller, Bert

2012-11-01

Imaging modalities including magnetic resonance imaging and X-ray computed tomography are established methods in daily clinical diagnosis of human brain. Clinical equipment does not provide sufficient spatial resolution to obtain morphological information on the cellular level, essential for applying minimally or non-invasive surgical interventions. Therefore, generic data with lateral sub-micrometer resolution have been generated from histological slices post mortem. Sub-cellular spatial resolution, lost in the third dimension as a result of sectioning, is obtained using magnetic resonance microscopy and micro computed tomography. We demonstrate that for human cerebellum grating-based X-ray phase tomography shows complementary contrast to magnetic resonance microscopy and histology. In this study, the contrast-to-noise values of magnetic resonance microscopy and phase tomography were comparable whereas the spatial resolution in phase tomography is an order of magnitude better. The registered data with their complementary information permit the distinct segmentation of tissues within the human cerebellum.

X-ray microtomography experiments using a diffraction tube and a focusing multilayer-mirror

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gurker, N.; Nell, R.; Backfrieder, W.; Kandutsch, J.; Sarg, K.; Prevrhal, S.; Nentwich, C.

1994-10-01

A first-generation (i.e. translate-rotate) micro X-ray transmission computed tomography system has been developed, which utilizes a standard 2.2 kW long-fine-focus diffraction tube with Cu-anode as the X-ray source, a spherical W/C multilayer-mirror to condense and spectrally select the CuKα-radiation (8.04 keV) from the tube and a scintillation counter to detect the X-ray photons; in the present configuration the optical system demagnifies the original source size in the direction parallel to the imaged object slice by a factor of 5, where a small slit captures the radiation and thus gives an intense microscopic (pseudo-) source of monochromatic X-radiation in close vicinity of the scanned specimen. The system provides tomographic images of small objects (up to 25 mm in diameter) reconstructed as 128 × 128 matrices with resolutions between ˜ 20 and 200 μm in ≥ 10 min. The software package which is available for image reconstruction includes filtered backprojection, correcting backprojection (ART, MART) and a new type of weighted backprojection, which turns out to be a simplified version of MART (SMART). A dedicated scan- and reconstruction-procedure demonstrates the feasibility to image selected regions-of-interest within the investigated specimen slice with (up to 1 order of magnitude) higher spatial resolution than their surroundings without major artefacts (Zoom-CT). The hard-and software-components of this CT-system are discussed, several examples are given and perspectives of further development are outlined.

Phase-contrast x-ray computed tomography for observing biological specimens and organic materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Momose, Atsushi; Takeda, Tohoru; Itai, Yuji

1995-02-01

A novel three-dimensional x-ray imaging method has been developed by combining a phase-contrast x-ray imaging technique with x-ray computed tomography. This phase-contrast x-ray computed tomography (PCX-CT) provides sectional images of organic specimens that would produce absorption-contrast x-ray CT images with little contrast. Comparing PCX-CT images of rat cerebellum and cancerous rabbit liver specimens with corresponding absorption-contrast CT images shows that PCX-CT is much more sensitive to the internal structure of organic specimens.

X-Ray microtomography analysis of the impact of pCO2 on serpentinization reactions: A reactive percolation experimental approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Escario, Sofia; Godard, Marguerite; Gouze, Philippe; Smal, Pavel; Rodriguez, Olivier; Leprovost, Richard

2017-04-01

Serpentinization is the main hydrothermal process driving the alteration of the mantle lithosphere by seawater at ridges. It consists in the alteration of olivine to serpentine and is associated to processes such as oxidation as well as carbonation when CO2 is present. The sustainability and efficiency of the reaction requires penetration and renewal of fluids at the mineral-fluid interface. Yet the secondary low density minerals can fill the porous network, clogging flow paths efficiently. This study aims at better understanding the coupled hydrodynamic and chemical processes driving the earliest stages of alteration of the ultramafic basement, when seawater-derived hydrothermal fluids penetrate and interact with exposed mantle rocks at slow spreading ridges. We investigate the structural changes of the rock in relation to dissolution-precipitation reactions triggered by the injection CO2-rich seawater using an experimental approach. The experiments simulate open conditions and were performed using the reactive percolation bench ICARE Lab 3 - Géosciences Montpellier. ICARE 3 allows to continuously measuring permeability changes during experiments and sampling the outlet fluids passing through the sample. We analysed the reacted samples before and after the experiments using a combination of geochemical (TGA-MS) and high resolution X-Ray microtomography (ESRF ID19 synchrotron beamline, Grenoble) approaches. A series of experiments was carried out at 190°C and 25 MPa. CO2 enriched natural seawater (XCO2 5.24 mmol/kg) was injected into Titanium capsules (2 mm diameter, 6 mm length) filled by pressed powdered San Carlos olivine (Fo90; grains 150-200 µm). The outlet section of the samples were analysed at 0.65 µm resolution using microtomography before and after the experiments. The reacted powdered sample was analysed by TGA-MS. Comparison of microtomography images of reacted and unreacted samples shows evidences of olivine dissolution and secondary minerals

Study of the structure of 3-D composites based on carbon nanotubes in bovine serum albumin matrix by X-ray microtomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ignatov, D.; Zhurbina, N.; Gerasimenko, A.

2017-01-01

3-D composites are widely used in tissue engineering. A comprehensive analysis by X-ray microtomography was conducted to study the structure of the 3-D composites. Comprehensive analysis of the structure of the 3-D composites consisted of scanning, image reconstruction of shadow projections, two-dimensional and three-dimensional visualization of the reconstructed images and quantitative analysis of the samples. Experimental samples of composites were formed by laser vaporization of the aqueous dispersion BSA and single-walled (SWCNTs) and multi-layer (MWCNTs) carbon nanotubes. The samples have a homogeneous structure over the entire volume, the percentage of porosity of 3-D composites based on SWCNTs and MWCNTs - 16.44%, 28.31%, respectively. An average pore diameter of 3-D composites based on SWCNTs and MWCNTs - 45 μm 93 μm. 3-D composites based on carbon nanotubes in bovine serum albumin matrix can be used in tissue engineering of bone and cartilage, providing cell proliferation and blood vessel sprouting.

Observation of human tissue with phase-contrast x-ray computed tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Momose, Atsushi; Takeda, Tohoru; Itai, Yuji; Tu, Jinhong; Hirano, Keiichi

1999-05-01

Human tissues obtained from cancerous kidneys fixed in formalin were observed with phase-contrast X-ray computed tomography (CT) using 17.7-keV synchrotron X-rays. By measuring the distributions of the X-ray phase shift caused by samples using an X-ray interferometer, sectional images that map the distribution of the refractive index were reconstructed. Because of the high sensitivity of phase- contrast X-ray CT, a cancerous lesion was differentiated from normal tissue and a variety of other structures were revealed without the need for staining.

Investigation of internal structure of fine granules by microtomography using synchrotron X-ray radiation.

PubMed

Noguchi, Shuji; Kajihara, Ryusuke; Iwao, Yasunori; Fujinami, Yukari; Suzuki, Yoshio; Terada, Yasuko; Uesugi, Kentaro; Miura, Keiko; Itai, Shigeru

2013-03-10

Computed tomography (CT) using synchrotron X-ray radiation was evaluated as a non-destructive structural analysis method for fine granules. Two kinds of granules have been investigated: a bromhexine hydrochloride (BHX)-layered Celphere CP-102 granule coated with pH-sensitive polymer Kollicoat Smartseal 30-D, and a wax-matrix granule constructed from acetaminophen (APAP), dibasic calcium phosphate dehydrate, and aminoalkyl methacrylate copolymer E (AMCE) manufactured by melt granulation. The diameters of both granules were 200-300 μm. CT analysis of CP-102 granule could visualize the laminar structures of BHX and Kollicoat layers, and also visualize the high talc-content regions in the Kollicoat layer that could not be detected by scanning electron microscopy. Moreover, CT analysis using X-ray energies above the absorption edge of Br specifically enhanced the contrast in the BHX layer. As for granules manufactured by melt granulation, CT analysis revealed that they had a small inner void space due to a uniform distribution of APAP and other excipients. The distribution of AMCE revealed by CT analysis was also found to involve in the differences of drug dissolution from the granules as described previously. These observations demonstrate that CT analysis using synchrotron X-ray radiation is a powerful method for the detailed internal structure analysis of fine granules. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Three-dimensional monochromatic x-ray computed tomography using synchrotron radiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saito, Tsuneo; Kudo, Hiroyuki; Takeda, Tohoru; Itai, Yuji; Tokumori, Kenji; Toyofuku, Fukai; Hyodo, Kazuyuki; Ando, Masami; Nishimura, Katsuyuki; Uyama, Chikao

1998-08-01

We describe a technique of 3D computed tomography (3D CT) using monochromatic x rays generated by synchrotron radiation, which performs a direct reconstruction of a 3D volume image of an object from its cone-beam projections. For the development, we propose a practical scanning orbit of the x-ray source to obtain complete 3D information on an object, and its corresponding 3D image reconstruction algorithm. The validity and usefulness of the proposed scanning orbit and reconstruction algorithm were confirmed by computer simulation studies. Based on these investigations, we have developed a prototype 3D monochromatic x-ray CT using synchrotron radiation, which provides exact 3D reconstruction and material-selective imaging by using the K-edge energy subtraction technique.

Eigenvector decomposition of full-spectrum x-ray computed tomography.

PubMed

Gonzales, Brian J; Lalush, David S

2012-03-07

Energy-discriminated x-ray computed tomography (CT) data were projected onto a set of basis functions to suppress the noise in filtered back-projection (FBP) reconstructions. The x-ray CT data were acquired using a novel x-ray system which incorporated a single-pixel photon-counting x-ray detector to measure the x-ray spectrum for each projection ray. A matrix of the spectral response of different materials was decomposed using eigenvalue decomposition to form the basis functions. Projection of FBP onto basis functions created a de facto image segmentation of multiple contrast agents. Final reconstructions showed significant noise suppression while preserving important energy-axis data. The noise suppression was demonstrated by a marked improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) along the energy axis for multiple regions of interest in the reconstructed images. Basis functions used on a more coarsely sampled energy axis still showed an improved SNR. We conclude that the noise-resolution trade off along the energy axis was significantly improved using the eigenvalue decomposition basis functions.

The terminal velocity of volcanic particles with shape obtained from 3D X-ray microtomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dioguardi, Fabio; Mele, Daniela; Dellino, Pierfrancesco; Dürig, Tobias

2017-01-01

New experiments of falling volcanic particles were performed in order to define terminal velocity models applicable in a wide range of Reynolds number Re. Experiments were carried out with fluids of various viscosities and with particles that cover a wide range of size, density and shape. Particle shape, which strongly influences fluid drag, was measured in 3D by High-resolution X-ray microtomography, by which sphericity Φ3D and fractal dimension D3D were obtained. They are easier to measure and less operator dependent than the 2D shape parameters used in previous papers. Drag laws that make use of the new 3D parameters were obtained by fitting particle data to the experiments, and single-equation terminal velocity models were derived. They work well both at high and low Re (3 × 10- 2 < Re < 104), while earlier formulations made use of different equations at different ranges of Re. The new drag laws are well suited for the modelling of particle transportation both in the eruptive column, where coarse and fine particles are present, and also in the distal part of the umbrella region, where fine ash is involved in the large-scale domains of atmospheric circulation. A table of the typical values of Φ3D and D3D of particles from known plinian, subplinian and ash plume eruptions is presented. Graphs of terminal velocity as a function of grain size are finally proposed as tools to help volcanologists and atmosphere scientists to model particle transportation of explosive eruptions.

Fluorescent x-ray computed tomography to visualize specific material distribution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takeda, Tohoru; Yuasa, Tetsuya; Hoshino, Atsunori; Akiba, Masahiro; Uchida, Akira; Kazama, Masahiro; Hyodo, Kazuyuki; Dilmanian, F. Avraham; Akatsuka, Takao; Itai, Yuji

1997-10-01

Fluorescent x-ray computed tomography (FXCT) is being developed to detect non-radioactive contrast materials in living specimens. The FXCT systems consists of a silicon channel cut monochromator, an x-ray slit and a collimator for detection, a scanning table for the target organ and an x-ray detector for fluorescent x-ray and transmission x-ray. To reduce Compton scattering overlapped on the K(alpha) line, incident monochromatic x-ray was set at 37 keV. At 37 keV Monte Carlo simulation showed almost complete separation between Compton scattering and the K(alpha) line. Actual experiments revealed small contamination of Compton scattering on the K(alpha) line. A clear FXCT image of a phantom was obtained. Using this system the minimal detectable dose of iodine was 30 ng in a volume of 1 mm3, and a linear relationship was demonstrated between photon counts of fluorescent x-rays and the concentration of iodine contrast material. The use of high incident x-ray energy allows an increase in the signal to noise ratio by reducing the Compton scattering on the K(alpha) line.

X-Ray Computed Tomography Monitors Damage in Composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baaklini, George Y.

1997-01-01

The NASA Lewis Research Center recently codeveloped a state-of-the-art x-ray CT facility (designated SMS SMARTSCAN model 100-112 CITA by Scientific Measurement Systems, Inc., Austin, Texas). This multipurpose, modularized, digital x-ray facility includes an imaging system for digital radiography, CT, and computed laminography. The system consists of a 160-kV microfocus x-ray source, a solid-state charge-coupled device (CCD) area detector, a five-axis object-positioning subassembly, and a Sun SPARCstation-based computer system that controls data acquisition and image processing. The x-ray source provides a beam spot size down to 3 microns. The area detector system consists of a 50- by 50- by 3-mm-thick terbium-doped glass fiber-optic scintillation screen, a right-angle mirror, and a scientific-grade, digital CCD camera with a resolution of 1000 by 1018 pixels and 10-bit digitization at ambient cooling. The digital output is recorded with a high-speed, 16-bit frame grabber that allows data to be binned. The detector can be configured to provide a small field-of-view, approximately 45 by 45 mm in cross section, or a larger field-of-view, approximately 60 by 60 mm in cross section. Whenever the highest spatial resolution is desired, the small field-of-view is used, and for larger samples with some reduction in spatial resolution, the larger field-of-view is used.

Computer assisted analysis of medical x-ray images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bengtsson, Ewert

1996-01-01

X-rays were originally used to expose film. The early computers did not have enough capacity to handle images with useful resolution. The rapid development of computer technology over the last few decades has, however, led to the introduction of computers into radiology. In this overview paper, the various possible roles of computers in radiology are examined. The state of the art is briefly presented, and some predictions about the future are made.

Proceedings of the workshop on high resolution computed microtomography (CMT)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

NONE

The purpose of the workshop was to determine the status of the field, to define instrumental and computational requirements, and to establish minimum specifications required by possible users. The most important message sent by implementers was the remainder that CMT is a tool. It solves a wide spectrum of scientific problems and is complementary to other microscopy techniques, with certain important advantages that the other methods do not have. High-resolution CMT can be used non-invasively and non-destructively to study a variety of hierarchical three-dimensional microstructures, which in turn control body function. X-ray computed microtomography can also be used at themore » frontiers of physics, in the study of granular systems, for example. With high-resolution CMT, for example, three-dimensional pore geometries and topologies of soils and rocks can be obtained readily and implemented directly in transport models. In turn, these geometries can be used to calculate fundamental physical properties, such as permeability and electrical conductivity, from first principles. Clearly, use of the high-resolution CMT technique will contribute tremendously to the advancement of current R and D technologies in the production, transport, storage, and utilization of oil and natural gas. It can also be applied to problems related to environmental pollution, particularly to spilling and seepage of hazardous chemicals into the Earth's subsurface. Applications to energy and environmental problems will be far-ranging and may soon extend to disciplines such as materials science--where the method can be used in the manufacture of porous ceramics, filament-resin composites, and microelectronics components--and to biomedicine, where it could be used to design biocompatible materials such as artificial bones, contact lenses, or medication-releasing implants. Selected papers are indexed separately for inclusion in the Energy Science and Technology Database.« less

Brute force absorption contrast microtomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davis, Graham R.; Mills, David

2014-09-01

In laboratory X-ray microtomography (XMT) systems, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is typically determined by the X-ray exposure due to the low flux associated with microfocus X-ray tubes. As the exposure time is increased, the SNR improves up to a point where other sources of variability dominate, such as differences in the sensitivities of adjacent X-ray detector elements. Linear time-delay integration (TDI) readout averages out detector sensitivities on the critical horizontal direction and equiangular TDI also averages out the X-ray field. This allows the SNR to be increased further with increasing exposure. This has been used in dentistry to great effect, allowing subtle variations in dentine mineralisation to be visualised in 3 dimensions. It has also been used to detect ink in ancient parchments that are too damaged to physically unroll. If sufficient contrast between the ink and parchment exists, it is possible to virtually unroll the tomographic image of the scroll in order that the text can be read. Following on from this work, a feasibility test was carried out to determine if it might be possible to recover images from decaying film reels. A successful attempt was made to re-create a short film sequence from a rolled length of 16mm film using XMT. However, the "brute force" method of scaling this up to allow an entire film reel to be imaged presents a significant challenge.

Recent Advances in X-ray Cone-beam Computed Laminography.

PubMed

O'Brien, Neil S; Boardman, Richard P; Sinclair, Ian; Blumensath, Thomas

2016-10-06

X-ray computed tomography is an established volume imaging technique used routinely in medical diagnosis, industrial non-destructive testing, and a wide range of scientific fields. Traditionally, computed tomography uses scanning geometries with a single axis of rotation together with reconstruction algorithms specifically designed for this setup. Recently there has however been increasing interest in more complex scanning geometries. These include so called X-ray computed laminography systems capable of imaging specimens with large lateral dimensions or large aspect ratios, neither of which are well suited to conventional CT scanning procedures. Developments throughout this field have thus been rapid, including the introduction of novel system trajectories, the application and refinement of various reconstruction methods, and the use of recently developed computational hardware and software techniques to accelerate reconstruction times. Here we examine the advances made in the last several years and consider their impact on the state of the art.

X-ray luminescence computed tomography imaging based on X-ray distribution model and adaptively split Bregman method

PubMed Central

Chen, Dongmei; Zhu, Shouping; Cao, Xu; Zhao, Fengjun; Liang, Jimin

2015-01-01

X-ray luminescence computed tomography (XLCT) has become a promising imaging technology for biological application based on phosphor nanoparticles. There are mainly three kinds of XLCT imaging systems: pencil beam XLCT, narrow beam XLCT and cone beam XLCT. Narrow beam XLCT can be regarded as a balance between the pencil beam mode and the cone-beam mode in terms of imaging efficiency and image quality. The collimated X-ray beams are assumed to be parallel ones in the traditional narrow beam XLCT. However, we observe that the cone beam X-rays are collimated into X-ray beams with fan-shaped broadening instead of parallel ones in our prototype narrow beam XLCT. Hence we incorporate the distribution of the X-ray beams in the physical model and collected the optical data from only two perpendicular directions to further speed up the scanning time. Meanwhile we propose a depth related adaptive regularized split Bregman (DARSB) method in reconstruction. The simulation experiments show that the proposed physical model and method can achieve better results in the location error, dice coefficient, mean square error and the intensity error than the traditional split Bregman method and validate the feasibility of method. The phantom experiment can obtain the location error less than 1.1 mm and validate that the incorporation of fan-shaped X-ray beams in our model can achieve better results than the parallel X-rays. PMID:26203388

Improving x-ray fluorescence signal for benchtop polychromatic cone-beam x-ray fluorescence computed tomography by incident x-ray spectrum optimization: A Monte Carlo study

PubMed Central

Manohar, Nivedh; Jones, Bernard L.; Cho, Sang Hyun

2014-01-01

Purpose: To develop an accurate and comprehensive Monte Carlo (MC) model of an experimental benchtop polychromatic cone-beam x-ray fluorescence computed tomography (XFCT) setup and apply this MC model to optimize incident x-ray spectrum for improving production/detection of x-ray fluorescence photons from gold nanoparticles (GNPs). Methods: A detailed MC model, based on an experimental XFCT system, was created using the Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) transport code. The model was validated by comparing MC results including x-ray fluorescence (XRF) and scatter photon spectra with measured data obtained under identical conditions using 105 kVp cone-beam x-rays filtered by either 1 mm of lead (Pb) or 0.9 mm of tin (Sn). After validation, the model was used to investigate the effects of additional filtration of the incident beam with Pb and Sn. Supplementary incident x-ray spectra, representing heavier filtration (Pb: 2 and 3 mm; Sn: 1, 2, and 3 mm) were computationally generated and used with the model to obtain XRF/scatter spectra. Quasimonochromatic incident x-ray spectra (81, 85, 90, 95, and 100 keV with 10 keV full width at half maximum) were also investigated to determine the ideal energy for distinguishing gold XRF signal from the scatter background. Fluorescence signal-to-dose ratio (FSDR) and fluorescence-normalized scan time (FNST) were used as metrics to assess results. Results: Calculated XRF/scatter spectra for 1-mm Pb and 0.9-mm Sn filters matched (r ≥ 0.996) experimental measurements. Calculated spectra representing additional filtration for both filter materials showed that the spectral hardening improved the FSDR at the expense of requiring a much longer FNST. In general, using Sn instead of Pb, at a given filter thickness, allowed an increase of up to 20% in FSDR, more prominent gold XRF peaks, and up to an order of magnitude decrease in FNST. Simulations using quasimonochromatic spectra suggested that increasing source x-ray energy, in the

Improving x-ray fluorescence signal for benchtop polychromatic cone-beam x-ray fluorescence computed tomography by incident x-ray spectrum optimization: a Monte Carlo study.

PubMed

Manohar, Nivedh; Jones, Bernard L; Cho, Sang Hyun

2014-10-01

To develop an accurate and comprehensive Monte Carlo (MC) model of an experimental benchtop polychromatic cone-beam x-ray fluorescence computed tomography (XFCT) setup and apply this MC model to optimize incident x-ray spectrum for improving production/detection of x-ray fluorescence photons from gold nanoparticles (GNPs). A detailed MC model, based on an experimental XFCT system, was created using the Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) transport code. The model was validated by comparing MC results including x-ray fluorescence (XRF) and scatter photon spectra with measured data obtained under identical conditions using 105 kVp cone-beam x-rays filtered by either 1 mm of lead (Pb) or 0.9 mm of tin (Sn). After validation, the model was used to investigate the effects of additional filtration of the incident beam with Pb and Sn. Supplementary incident x-ray spectra, representing heavier filtration (Pb: 2 and 3 mm; Sn: 1, 2, and 3 mm) were computationally generated and used with the model to obtain XRF/scatter spectra. Quasimonochromatic incident x-ray spectra (81, 85, 90, 95, and 100 keV with 10 keV full width at half maximum) were also investigated to determine the ideal energy for distinguishing gold XRF signal from the scatter background. Fluorescence signal-to-dose ratio (FSDR) and fluorescence-normalized scan time (FNST) were used as metrics to assess results. Calculated XRF/scatter spectra for 1-mm Pb and 0.9-mm Sn filters matched (r ≥ 0.996) experimental measurements. Calculated spectra representing additional filtration for both filter materials showed that the spectral hardening improved the FSDR at the expense of requiring a much longer FNST. In general, using Sn instead of Pb, at a given filter thickness, allowed an increase of up to 20% in FSDR, more prominent gold XRF peaks, and up to an order of magnitude decrease in FNST. Simulations using quasimonochromatic spectra suggested that increasing source x-ray energy, in the investigated range of 81-100 ke

The 4D evolution of porosity during ongoing pressure-solution processes in NaCl using x-ray microtomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Macente, Alice; Fusseis, Florian; Butler, Ian; Tudisco, Erika; Hall, Stephen; Andò, Edward

2016-04-01

Pressure-solution creep is a common deformation mechanism in the upper crust. It represents a mass transfer via dissolution-reprecipitation that critically affects the hydraulic properties of rocks. Successful management of safe radioactive storage sites in rock-salt deposits critically depends on an accurate knowledge of the hydro-mechanical behaviour of salt deposits. Despite numerous lab experiments that have been conducted, many aspects of pressure-solution are still poorly understood. There is little knowledge about the spatio-temporal evolution of porosity and permeability during pressure-solution creep. While rates of pressure-solution creep in silicates and carbonates are slow, which makes laboratory investigations of these materials impractical, compaction experiments have demonstrated that NaCl samples deform sufficiently fast to study pressure-solution creep in a lab environment at room temperature and modest loads. We present results from novel experiments that quantify the 4-dimensional (three spatial dimensions plus time) evolution of pressure-solution processes using in-situ x-ray microtomography. Our experiments are performed in custom made x-ray transparent presses. 5 mm diameter NaCl powder samples with a grain size of 250-300 μm are loaded dry into the press and pre-compacted to produce a starting aggregated material. The sample is then flooded with saturated NaCl solution and loaded uniaxially by means of a pneumatic actuator to a constant uniaxial stress. Different sample mixtures were tested, as well as different uniaxial loads. The resulting deformation of the samples is documented in 3-dimensional microtomographic datasets, acquired at regular time intervals. Image analysis allowed characterization of the microstructural evolution of the NaCl grains and the spatio-temporal distribution of porosity during ongoing mechanical and chemical compaction. The microtomography data have also been analysed with 3D Digital Image Correlation (3D-DIC or

Multiple pinhole collimator based X-ray luminescence computed tomography

PubMed Central

Zhang, Wei; Zhu, Dianwen; Lun, Michael; Li, Changqing

2016-01-01

X-ray luminescence computed tomography (XLCT) is an emerging hybrid imaging modality, which is able to improve the spatial resolution of optical imaging to hundreds of micrometers for deep targets by using superfine X-ray pencil beams. However, due to the low X-ray photon utilization efficiency in a single pinhole collimator based XLCT, it takes a long time to acquire measurement data. Herein, we propose a multiple pinhole collimator based XLCT, in which multiple X-ray beams are generated to scan a sample at multiple positions simultaneously. Compared with the single pinhole based XLCT, the multiple X-ray beam scanning method requires much less measurement time. Numerical simulations and phantom experiments have been performed to demonstrate the feasibility of the multiple X-ray beam scanning method. In one numerical simulation, we used four X-ray beams to scan a cylindrical object with 6 deeply embedded targets. With measurements from 6 angular projections, all 6 targets have been reconstructed successfully. In the phantom experiment, we generated two X-ray pencil beams with a collimator manufactured in-house. Two capillary targets with 0.6 mm edge-to-edge distance embedded in a cylindrical phantom have been reconstructed successfully. With the two beam scanning, we reduced the data acquisition time by 50%. From the reconstructed XLCT images, we found that the Dice similarity of targets is 85.11% and the distance error between two targets is less than 3%. We have measured the radiation dose during XLCT scan and found that the radiation dose, 1.475 mSv, is in the range of a typical CT scan. We have measured the changes of the collimated X-ray beam size and intensity at different distances from the collimator. We have also studied the effects of beam size and intensity in the reconstruction of XLCT. PMID:27446686

3D/4D analyses of damage and fracture behaviours in structural materials via synchrotron X-ray tomography.

PubMed

Toda, Hiroyuki

2014-11-01

X-ray microtomography has been utilized for the in-situ observation of various structural metals under external loading. Recent advances in X-ray microtomography provide remarkable tools to image the interior of materials. In-situ X-ray microtomography provides a unique possibility to access the 3D character of internal microstructure and its time evolution behaviours non-destructively, thereby enabling advanced techniques for measuring local strain distribution. Local strain mapping is readily enabled by processing such high-resolution tomographic images either by the particle tracking technique or the digital image correlation technique [1]. Procedures for tracking microstructural features which have been developed by the authors [2], have been applied to analyse localised deformation and damage evolution in a material [3]. Typically several tens of thousands of microstructural features, such as particles and pores, are tracked in a tomographic specimen (0.2 - 0.3 mm(3) in volume). When a sufficient number of microstructural features is dispersed in 3D space, the Delaunay tessellation algorithm is used to obtain local strain distribution. With these techniques, 3D strain fields can be measured with reasonable accuracy. Even local crack driving forces, such as local variations in the stress intensity factor, crack tip opening displacement and J integral along a crack front line, can be measured from discrete crack tip displacement fields [4]. In the present presentation, complicated crack initiation and growth behaviour and the extensive formation of micro cracks ahead of a crack tip are introduced as examples.A novel experimental method has recently been developed by amalgamating a pencil beam X-Ray diffraction (XRD) technique with the microstructural tracking technique [5]. The technique provides information about individual grain orientations and 1-micron-level grain morphologies in 3D together with high-density local strain mapping. The application of this

Evaluating the Effect of Processing Parameters on Porosity in Electron Beam Melted Ti-6Al-4V via Synchrotron X-ray Microtomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cunningham, Ross; Narra, Sneha P.; Ozturk, Tugce; Beuth, Jack; Rollett, A. D.

2016-03-01

Electron beam melting (EBM) is one of the subsets of direct metal additive manufacturing (AM), an emerging manufacturing method that fabricates metallic parts directly from a three-dimensional (3D) computer model by the successive melting of powder layers. This family of technologies has seen significant growth in recent years due to its potential to manufacture complex components with shorter lead times, reduced material waste and minimal post-processing as a "near-net-shape" process, making it of particular interest to the biomedical and aerospace industries. The popular titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V has been the focus of multiple studies due to its importance to these two industries, which can be attributed to its high strength to weight ratio and corrosion resistance. While previous research has found that most tensile properties of EBM Ti-6Al-4V meet or exceed conventional manufacturing standards, fatigue properties have been consistently inferior due to a significant presence of porosity. Studies have shown that adjusting processing parameters can reduce overall porosity; however, they frequently utilize methods that give insufficient information to properly characterize the porosity (e.g., Archimedes' method). A more detailed examination of the result of process parameter adjustments on the size and spatial distribution of gas porosity was performed utilizing synchrotron-based x-ray microtomography with a minimum feature resolution of 1.5 µm. Cross-sectional melt pool area was varied systematically via process mapping. Increasing melt pool area through the speed function variable was observed to significantly reduce porosity in the part.

X-ray-induced acoustic computed tomography of concrete infrastructure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Shanshan; Ramseyer, Chris; Samant, Pratik; Xiang, Liangzhong

2018-02-01

X-ray-induced Acoustic Computed Tomography (XACT) takes advantage of both X-ray absorption contrast and high ultrasonic resolution in a single imaging modality by making use of the thermoacoustic effect. In XACT, X-ray absorption by defects and other structures in concrete create thermally induced pressure jumps that launch ultrasonic waves, which are then received by acoustic detectors to form images. In this research, XACT imaging was used to non-destructively test and identify defects in concrete. For concrete structures, we conclude that XACT imaging allows multiscale imaging at depths ranging from centimeters to meters, with spatial resolutions from sub-millimeter to centimeters. XACT imaging also holds promise for single-side testing of concrete infrastructure and provides an optimal solution for nondestructive inspection of existing bridges, pavement, nuclear power plants, and other concrete infrastructure.

Mcps-range photon-counting x-ray computed tomography system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sato, Eiichi; Oda, Yasuyuki; Abudurexiti, Abulajiang; Hagiwara, Osahiko; Enomoto, Toshiyuki; Sugimura, Shigeaki; Endo, Haruyuki; Sato, Shigehiro; Ogawa, Akira; Onagawa, Jun

2011-10-01

10 Mcps photon counting was carried out using a detector consisting of a 2.0 mm-thick ZnO (zinc oxide) single-crystal scintillator and an MPPC (multipixel photon counter) module in an X-ray computed tomography (CT) system. The maximum count rate was 10 Mcps (mega counts per second) at a tube voltage of 70 kV and a tube current of 2.0 mA. Next, a photon-counting X-ray CT system consists of an X-ray generator, a turntable, a scan stage, a two-stage controller, the ZnO-MPPC detector, a counter card (CC), and a personal computer (PC). Tomography is accomplished by repeated linear scans and rotations of an object, and projection curves of the object are obtained by the linear scan with a scan velocity of 25 mm/s. The pulses of the event signal from the module are counted by the CC in conjunction with the PC. The exposure time for obtaining a tomogram was 600 s at a scan step of 0.5 mm and a rotation step of 1.0°, and photon-counting CT was accomplished using iodine-based contrast media.

Hafnium-Based Contrast Agents for X-ray Computed Tomography.

PubMed

Berger, Markus; Bauser, Marcus; Frenzel, Thomas; Hilger, Christoph Stephan; Jost, Gregor; Lauria, Silvia; Morgenstern, Bernd; Neis, Christian; Pietsch, Hubertus; Sülzle, Detlev; Hegetschweiler, Kaspar

2017-05-15

Heavy-metal-based contrast agents (CAs) offer enhanced X-ray absorption for X-ray computed tomography (CT) compared to the currently used iodinated CAs. We report the discovery of new lanthanide and hafnium azainositol complexes and their optimization with respect to high water solubility and stability. Our efforts culminated in the synthesis of BAY-576, an uncharged hafnium complex with 3:2 stoichiometry and broken complex symmetry. The superior properties of this asymmetrically substituted hafnium CA were demonstrated by a CT angiography study in rabbits that revealed excellent signal contrast enhancement.

X-ray microtomography-based measurements of meniscal allografts.

PubMed

Mickiewicz, P; Binkowski, M; Bursig, H; Wróbel, Z

2015-05-01

X-ray microcomputed tomography (XMT) is a technique widely used to image hard and soft tissues. Meniscal allografts as collagen structures can be imaged and analyzed using XMT. The aim of this study was to present an XMT scanning protocol that can be used to obtain the 3D geometry of menisci. It was further applied to compare two methods of meniscal allograft measurement: traditional (based on manual measurement) and novel (based on digital measurement of 3D models of menisci obtained with use of XMT scanner). The XMT-based menisci measurement is a reliable method for assessing the geometry of a meniscal allograft by measuring the basic meniscal dimensions known from traditional protocol. Thirteen dissected menisci were measured according the same principles traditionally applied in a tissue bank. Next, the same specimens were scanned by a laboratory scanner in the XMT Lab. The images were processed to obtain a 3D mesh. 3D models of allograft geometry were then measured using a novel protocol enhanced by computer software. Then, both measurements were compared using statistical tests. The results showed significant differences (P<0.05) between the lengths of the medial and lateral menisci measured in the tissue bank and the XMT Lab. Also, medial meniscal widths were significantly different (P<0.05). Differences in meniscal lengths may result from difficulties in dissected meniscus measurements in tissue banks, and may be related to the elastic structure of the dissected meniscus. Errors may also be caused by the lack of highlighted landmarks on the meniscal surface in this study. The XMT may be a good technique for assessing meniscal dimensions without actually touching the specimen. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Extraction of the 3D local orientation of myocytes in human cardiac tissue using X-ray phase-contrast micro-tomography and multi-scale analysis.

PubMed

Varray, François; Mirea, Iulia; Langer, Max; Peyrin, Françoise; Fanton, Laurent; Magnin, Isabelle E

2017-05-01

This paper presents a methodology to access the 3D local myocyte arrangements in fresh human post-mortem heart samples. We investigated the cardiac micro-structure at a high and isotropic resolution of 3.5 µm in three dimensions using X-ray phase micro-tomography at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility. We then processed the reconstructed volumes to extract the 3D local orientation of the myocytes using a multi-scale approach with no segmentation. We created a simplified 3D model of tissue sample made of simulated myocytes with known size and orientations, to evaluate our orientation extraction method. Afterwards, we applied it to 2D histological cuts and to eight 3D left ventricular (LV) cardiac tissue samples. Then, the variation of the helix angles, from the endocardium to the epicardium, was computed at several spatial resolutions ranging from 3.6 3  mm 3 to 112 3  µm 3 . We measure an increased range of 20° to 30° from the coarsest resolution level to the finest level in the experimental samples. This result is in line with the higher values measured from histology. The displayed tractography demonstrates a rather smooth evolution of the transmural helix angle in six LV samples and a sudden discontinuity of the helix angle in two septum samples. These measurements bring a new vision of the human heart architecture from macro- to micro-scale. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Cone beam x-ray luminescence computed tomography: a feasibility study.

PubMed

Chen, Dongmei; Zhu, Shouping; Yi, Huangjian; Zhang, Xianghan; Chen, Duofang; Liang, Jimin; Tian, Jie

2013-03-01

The appearance of x-ray luminescence computed tomography (XLCT) opens new possibilities to perform molecular imaging by x ray. In the previous XLCT system, the sample was irradiated by a sequence of narrow x-ray beams and the x-ray luminescence was measured by a highly sensitive charge coupled device (CCD) camera. This resulted in a relatively long sampling time and relatively low utilization of the x-ray beam. In this paper, a novel cone beam x-ray luminescence computed tomography strategy is proposed, which can fully utilize the x-ray dose and shorten the scanning time. The imaging model and reconstruction method are described. The validity of the imaging strategy has been studied in this paper. In the cone beam XLCT system, the cone beam x ray was adopted to illuminate the sample and a highly sensitive CCD camera was utilized to acquire luminescent photons emitted from the sample. Photons scattering in biological tissues makes it an ill-posed problem to reconstruct the 3D distribution of the x-ray luminescent sample in the cone beam XLCT. In order to overcome this issue, the authors used the diffusion approximation model to describe the photon propagation in tissues, and employed the sparse regularization method for reconstruction. An incomplete variables truncated conjugate gradient method and permissible region strategy were used for reconstruction. Meanwhile, traditional x-ray CT imaging could also be performed in this system. The x-ray attenuation effect has been considered in their imaging model, which is helpful in improving the reconstruction accuracy. First, simulation experiments with cylinder phantoms were carried out to illustrate the validity of the proposed compensated method. The experimental results showed that the location error of the compensated algorithm was smaller than that of the uncompensated method. The permissible region strategy was applied and reduced the reconstruction error to less than 2 mm. The robustness and stability were then

Human thyroid specimen imaging by fluorescent x-ray computed tomography with synchrotron radiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takeda, Tohoru; Yu, Quanwen; Yashiro, Toru; Yuasa, Tetsuya; Hasegawa, Yasuo; Itai, Yuji; Akatsuka, Takao

1999-09-01

Fluorescent x-ray computed tomography (FXCT) is being developed to detect non-radioactive contrast materials in living specimens. The FXCT system consists of a silicon (111) channel cut monochromator, an x-ray slit and a collimator for fluorescent x ray detection, a scanning table for the target organ and an x-ray detector for fluorescent x-ray and transmission x-ray. To reduce Compton scattering overlapped on the fluorescent K(alpha) line, incident monochromatic x-ray was set at 37 keV. The FXCT clearly imaged a human thyroid gland and iodine content was estimated quantitatively. In a case of hyperthyroidism, the two-dimensional distribution of iodine content was not uniform, and thyroid cancer had a small amount of iodine. FXCT can be used to detect iodine within thyroid gland quantitatively and to delineate its distribution.

Microscale reconstruction of biogeochemical substrates using multimode X-ray tomography and scanning electron microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miller, M.; Miller, E.; Liu, J.; Lund, R. M.; McKinley, J. P.

2012-12-01

X-ray computed tomography (CT), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron microprobe analysis (EMP), and computational image analysis are mature technologies used in many disciplines. Cross-discipline combination of these imaging and image-analysis technologies is the focus of this research, which uses laboratory and light-source resources in an iterative approach. The objective is to produce images across length scales, taking advantage of instrumentation that is optimized for each scale, and to unify them into a single compositional reconstruction. Initially, CT images will be collected using both x-ray absorption and differential phase contrast modes. The imaged sample will then be physically sectioned and the exposed surfaces imaged and characterized via SEM/EMP. The voxel slice corresponding to the physical sample surface will be isolated computationally, and the volumetric data will be combined with two-dimensional SEM images along CT image planes. This registration step will take advantage of the similarity between the X-ray absorption (CT) and backscattered electron (SEM) coefficients (both proportional to average atomic number in the interrogated volume) as well as the images' mutual information. Elemental and solid-phase distributions on the exposed surfaces, co-registered with SEM images, will be mapped using EMP. The solid-phase distribution will be propagated into three-dimensional space using computational methods relying on the estimation of compositional distributions derived from the CT data. If necessary, solid-phase and pore-space boundaries will be resolved using X-ray differential phase contrast tomography, x-ray fluorescence tomography, and absorption-edge microtomography at a light-source facility. Computational methods will be developed to register and model images collected over varying scales and data types. Image resolution, physically and dynamically, is qualitatively different for the electron microscopy and CT methodologies. Routine

X-ray crystallography

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2001-01-01

X-rays diffracted from a well-ordered protein crystal create sharp patterns of scattered light on film. A computer can use these patterns to generate a model of a protein molecule. To analyze the selected crystal, an X-ray crystallographer shines X-rays through the crystal. Unlike a single dental X-ray, which produces a shadow image of a tooth, these X-rays have to be taken many times from different angles to produce a pattern from the scattered light, a map of the intensity of the X-rays after they diffract through the crystal. The X-rays bounce off the electron clouds that form the outer structure of each atom. A flawed crystal will yield a blurry pattern; a well-ordered protein crystal yields a series of sharp diffraction patterns. From these patterns, researchers build an electron density map. With powerful computers and a lot of calculations, scientists can use the electron density patterns to determine the structure of the protein and make a computer-generated model of the structure. The models let researchers improve their understanding of how the protein functions. They also allow scientists to look for receptor sites and active areas that control a protein's function and role in the progress of diseases. From there, pharmaceutical researchers can design molecules that fit the active site, much like a key and lock, so that the protein is locked without affecting the rest of the body. This is called structure-based drug design.

Characterization of transport phenomena in porous transport layers using X-ray microtomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hasanpour, S.; Hoorfar, M.; Phillion, A. B.

2017-06-01

Among different methods available for estimating the transport properties of porous transport layers (PTLs) of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, X-ray micro computed tomography (X-μCT) imaging in combination with image-based numerical simulation has been recognized as a viable tool. In this study, four commercially-available single-layer and dual-layer PTLs are analyzed using this method in order to compare and contrast transport properties between different PTLs, as well as the variability within a single sheet. Complete transport property datasets are created for each PTL. The simulation predictions indicate that PTLs with high porosity show considerable variability in permeability and effective diffusivity, while PTLs with low porosity do not. Furthermore, it is seen that the Tomadakis-Sotirchos (TS) analytical expressions for porous media match the image-based simulations when porosity is relatively low but predict higher permeability and effective diffusivity for porosity values greater than 80%. Finally, the simulations show that cracks within MPL of dual-layer PTLs have a significant effect on the overall permeability and effective diffusivity of the PTLs. This must be considered when estimating the transport properties of dual-layer PTLs. These findings can be used to improve macro-scale models of product and reactant transport within fuel cells, and ultimately, fuel cell efficiency.

Visualization of membrane protein crystals in lipid cubic phase using X-ray imaging

PubMed Central

Warren, Anna J.; Armour, Wes; Axford, Danny; Basham, Mark; Connolley, Thomas; Hall, David R.; Horrell, Sam; McAuley, Katherine E.; Mykhaylyk, Vitaliy; Wagner, Armin; Evans, Gwyndaf

2013-01-01

The focus in macromolecular crystallography is moving towards even more challenging target proteins that often crystallize on much smaller scales and are frequently mounted in opaque or highly refractive materials. It is therefore essential that X-ray beamline technology develops in parallel to accommodate such difficult samples. In this paper, the use of X-ray microradiography and microtomography is reported as a tool for crystal visualization, location and characterization on the macromolecular crystallography beamlines at the Diamond Light Source. The technique is particularly useful for microcrystals and for crystals mounted in opaque materials such as lipid cubic phase. X-ray diffraction raster scanning can be used in combination with radiography to allow informed decision-making at the beamline prior to diffraction data collection. It is demonstrated that the X-ray dose required for a full tomography measurement is similar to that for a diffraction grid-scan, but for sample location and shape estimation alone just a few radiographic projections may be required. PMID:23793151

Visualization of membrane protein crystals in lipid cubic phase using X-ray imaging.

PubMed

Warren, Anna J; Armour, Wes; Axford, Danny; Basham, Mark; Connolley, Thomas; Hall, David R; Horrell, Sam; McAuley, Katherine E; Mykhaylyk, Vitaliy; Wagner, Armin; Evans, Gwyndaf

2013-07-01

The focus in macromolecular crystallography is moving towards even more challenging target proteins that often crystallize on much smaller scales and are frequently mounted in opaque or highly refractive materials. It is therefore essential that X-ray beamline technology develops in parallel to accommodate such difficult samples. In this paper, the use of X-ray microradiography and microtomography is reported as a tool for crystal visualization, location and characterization on the macromolecular crystallography beamlines at the Diamond Light Source. The technique is particularly useful for microcrystals and for crystals mounted in opaque materials such as lipid cubic phase. X-ray diffraction raster scanning can be used in combination with radiography to allow informed decision-making at the beamline prior to diffraction data collection. It is demonstrated that the X-ray dose required for a full tomography measurement is similar to that for a diffraction grid-scan, but for sample location and shape estimation alone just a few radiographic projections may be required.

Influence of pore size distributions on decomposition of maize leaf residue: evidence from X-ray computed micro-tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Negassa, Wakene; Guber, Andrey; Kravchenko, Alexandra; Rivers, Mark

2014-05-01

Soil's potential to sequester carbon (C) depends not only on quality and quantity of organic inputs to soil but also on the residence time of the applied organic inputs within the soil. Soil pore structure is one of the main factors that influence residence time of soil organic matter by controlling gas exchange, soil moisture and microbial activities, thereby soil C sequestration capacity. Previous attempts to investigate the fate of organic inputs added to soil did not allow examining their decomposition in situ; the drawback that can now be remediated by application of X-ray computed micro-tomography (µ-CT). The non-destructive and non-invasive nature of µ-CT gives an opportunity to investigate the effect of soil pore size distributions on decomposition of plant residues at a new quantitative level. The objective of this study is to examine the influence of pore size distributions on the decomposition of plant residue added to soil. Samples with contrasting pore size distributions were created using aggregate fractions of five different sizes (<0.05, 0.05-0.1, 0.10-05, 0.5-1.0 and 1.0-2.0 mm). Weighted average pore diameters ranged from 10 µm (<0.05 mm fraction) to 104 µm (1-2 mm fraction), while maximum pore diameter were in a range from 29 µm (<0.05 mm fraction) to 568 µm (1-2 mm fraction) in the created soil samples. Dried pieces of maize leaves 2.5 mg in size (equivalent to 1.71 mg C g-1 soil) were added to half of the studied samples. Samples with and without maize leaves were incubated for 120 days. CO2 emission from the samples was measured at regular time intervals. In order to ensure that the observed differences are due to differences in pore structure and not due to differences in inherent properties of the studied aggregate fractions, we repeated the whole experiment using soil from the same aggregate size fractions but ground to <0.05 mm size. Five to six replicated samples were used for intact and ground samples of all sizes with and without

Framework for computing the spatial coherence effects of polycapillary x-ray optics

PubMed Central

Zysk, Adam M.; Schoonover, Robert W.; Xu, Qiaofeng; Anastasio, Mark A.

2012-01-01

Despite the extensive use of polycapillary x-ray optics for focusing and collimating applications, there remains a significant need for characterization of the coherence properties of the output wavefield. In this work, we present the first quantitative computational method for calculation of the spatial coherence effects of polycapillary x-ray optical devices. This method employs the coherent mode decomposition of an extended x-ray source, geometric optical propagation of individual wavefield modes through a polycapillary device, output wavefield calculation by ray data resampling onto a uniform grid, and the calculation of spatial coherence properties by way of the spectral degree of coherence. PMID:22418154

The Cambrian Evolutionary Explosion: Novel Evidence from Fossils Studied by X-ray Tomography

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chen, Jun-Yuan

The Cambrian explosion (from 542 million years to 488 million years ago) is one of the greatest mysteries in evolutionary biology. It wasn't until this period that complex organisms became common and diverse. the magnitude of the event can be understood based on the contrast between the biota and the degree of diversity of the fossils from both sides. great advances have been made in Cambrian palaeontology over the past century, especially the discovery of the well-preserved soft-bodied fauna from the Middle Cambrian Burgess Shale and the Lower Cambrian Maotianshan Shale deposits. The Cambrian side of the "Cambrian explosion" ismore » richly illustrated and contrasts greatly with the Precambrian side. The study of these extraordinarily preserved fossil biota is extremely difficult. A major challenge is 3-D reconstruction and determining the patter of the cell organization in Weng'an embryos and their buried structures in Maotianshan Shale fossils. This talk will show that two recent technological approaches, propagation phase contrast synchrotron x-ray microtomography and microtomography, provide unique analytical tools that permit the nondestructive computational examination and visualization of the internal and buried characters in virtual sections in any plane, and virtual 3-D depictions of internal structures.« less

Hard X-ray full field microscopy and magnifying microtomography using compound refractive lenses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schroer, Christian G.; Günzler, Til Florian; Benner, Boris; Kuhlmann, Marion; Tümmler, Johannes; Lengeler, Bruno; Rau, Christoph; Weitkamp, Timm; Snigirev, Anatoly; Snigireva, Irina

2001-07-01

For hard X-rays, parabolic compound refractive lenses (PCRLs) are genuine imaging devices like glass lenses for visible light. Based on these new lenses, a hard X-ray full field microscope has been constructed that is ideally suited to image the interior of opaque samples with a minimum of sample preparation. As a result of a large depth of field, CRL micrographs are sharp projection images of most samples. To obtain 3D information about a sample, tomographic techniques are combined with magnified imaging.

Strain-dependent evolution of garnets in a high pressure ductile shear zone using Synchroton x-ray microtomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Macente, Alice; Fusseis, Florian; Menegon, Luca; John, Timm

2016-04-01

Synkinematic reaction microfabrics carry important information on the kinetics, timing and rheology of tectonometamorphic processes. Despite being routinely interpreted in metamorphic and structural studies, reaction and deformation microfabrics are usually described in two dimensions. We applied Synchrotron-based x-ray microtomography to document the evolution of a pristine olivine gabbro into a deformed omphacite-garnet eclogite in 3D. In the investigated samples, which cover a strain gradient into a shear zone from the Western Gneiss Region (Norway) previously described by John et al., (2009), we focused on the spatial transformation of garnet coronas into elongated clusters of garnets. Our microtomographic data allowed us to quantify changes to the garnet volume, their shapes and their spatial arrangement. We combined microtomographic observations with light microscope- and backscatter electron images as well as electron microprobe- (EMPA) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) analyses to correlate mineral composition and orientation data with the x-ray absorption signal of the same mineral grains. This allowed us to extrapolate our interpretation of the metamorphic microfabric evolution to the third dimension, effectively yielding a 4-dimensional dataset. We found that: - The x-ray absorption contrast between individual mineral phases in our microtomographic data is sufficient to allow the same petrographic observations than in light- and electron microscopy, but extended to 3D. - Amongst the major constituents of the synkinematic reactions, garnet is the only phase that can be segmented confidently from the microtomographic data. - With increasing deformation, the garnet volume increases from about 9% to 25%. - Garnet coronas in the gabbros never completely encapsulate olivine grains. This may indicate that the reaction progressed preferentially in some directions, but also leaves pathways for element transport to and from the olivines that are

Gas exsolution and bubbles nucleation from the 1669 lava flow of Mount Etna (Italy): evidences from phase-contrast synchrotron X-ray microtomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lanzafame, Gabriele; Ferlito, Carmelo; Mancini, Lucia

2017-04-01

Bubbles are usually present in lavas, often showing an increase in their size and number from bottom to the top of vertical profile of the flows. Their presence is commonly interpreted as the final phase of the degassing processes starting and massively occurring at depth, before the eruption. In this work we present the results of a detailed study of size, shape and volumetric distribution of bubbles in lavas from the 1669 eruption of Mount Etna (Italy), one of the most voluminous and destructive historic events of this volcano. The lava field produced during this event extends up to 18 km from the craters, and the massive presence of bubbles in lavas sampled many kilometres away from the emission point is in contrast with the models predicting their almost total exsolution from the magma before the eruption, at depth of several kilometres beneath the volcano edifice. Sampling of the 1669 lava field has been performed along the longitudinal profile of the field at increasing distance from the vent. Collected rocks have been analysed by X-ray fluorescence and phase-contrast synchrotron X-ray computed microtomography in order to extract three-dimensional (3D) qualitative and quantitative information on the bubbles network. The use of synchrotron light permitted to investigate small portions of the samples at high spatial and contrast resolution and allowed us to obtain the 3D morphology and distribution of the micro-bubbles present in the lava, avoiding the limitations of the traditional two-dimensional analysis on thin sections. Results indicate that bubbles in lavas are present in various abundance, constituting up to 18% of the rocks volume, and are randomly distributed, with no regards for the distance from the vent. Their casual abundance, morphological characteristics and spatial distribution indicate large nucleation from syn- to post-eruptive stage, during the lava flowing and probably after it halted its run. These observations are in contrast with the

TH-AB-209-07: High Resolution X-Ray-Induced Acoustic Computed Tomography

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Xiang, L; Tang, S; Ahmad, M

Purpose: X-ray radiographic absorption imaging is an invaluable tool in medical diagnostics, biology and materials science. However, the use of conventional CT is limited by two factors: the detection sensitivity to weak absorption material and the radiation dose from CT scanning. The purpose of this study is to explore X-ray induced acoustic computed tomography (XACT), a new imaging modality, which combines X-ray absorption contrast and high ultrasonic resolution to address these challenges. Methods: First, theoretical models was built to analyze the XACT sensitivity to X-ray absorption and calculate the minimal radiation dose in XACT imaging. Then, an XACT system comprisedmore » of an ultrashort X-ray pulse, a low noise ultrasound detector and a signal acquisition system was built to evaluate the X-ray induced acoustic signal generation. A piece of chicken bone and a phantom with two golden fiducial markers were exposed to 270 kVp X-ray source with 60 ns exposure time, and the X-ray induced acoustic signal was received by a 2.25MHz ultrasound transducer in 200 positions. XACT images were reconstructed by a filtered back-projection algorithm. Results: The theoretical analysis shows that X-ray induced acoustic signals have 100% relative sensitivity to X-ray absorption, but not to X-ray scattering. Applying this innovative technology to breast imaging, we can reduce radiation dose by a factor of 50 compared with newly FDA approved breast CT. The reconstructed images of chicken bone and golden fiducial marker phantom reveal that the spatial resolution of the built XACT system is 350µm. Conclusion: In XACT, the imaging sensitivity to X-ray absorption is improved and the imaging dose is dramatically reduced by using ultrashort pulsed X-ray. Taking advantage of the high ultrasonic resolution, we can also perform 3D imaging with a single X-ray pulse. This new modality has the potential to revolutionize x-ray imaging applications in medicine and biology.« less

Development of high energy micro-tomography system at SPring-8

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Uesugi, Kentaro; Hoshino, Masato

2017-09-01

A high energy X-ray micro-tomography system has been developed at BL20B2 in SPring-8. The available range of the energy is between 20keV and 113keV with a Si (511) double crystal monochromator. The system enables us to image large or heavy materials such as fossils and metals. The X-ray image detector consists of visible light conversion system and sCMOS camera. The effective pixel size is variable by changing a tandem lens between 6.5 μm/pixel and 25.5 μm/pixel discretely. The format of the camera is 2048 pixels x 2048 pixels. As a demonstration of the system, alkaline battery and a nodule from Bolivia were imaged. A detail of the structure of the battery and a female mold Trilobite were successfully imaged without breaking those fossils.

Evaluation of marginal and internal fit of ceramic and metallic crown copings using x-ray microtomography (micro-CT) technology.

PubMed

Pimenta, Manuel Antonio; Frasca, Luis Carlos; Lopes, Ricardo; Rivaldo, Elken

2015-08-01

Prosthetic crown fit to the walls of the tooth preparation may vary depending on the material used for crown fabrication. The purpose of this study was to compare the marginal and internal fit of crown copings fabricated from 3 different materials. The selected materials were zirconia (ZirkonZahn system, group Y-TZP), lithium disilicate (IPS e.max Press system, group LSZ), and nickel-chromium alloy (lost-wax casting, group NiCr). Five specimens of each material were seated on standard dies. An x-ray microtomography (micro-CT) device was used to obtain volumetric reconstructions of each specimen. Points for fit measurement were located in Adobe Photoshop, and measurements were obtained in the CTAn SkyScan software environment. Marginal fit was measured at 4 points and internal fit at 9 points in each coping. Mean measurements from the 3 groups were compared by analysis of variance (ANOVA) at the 5% significance level, and between-group differences were assessed with the Tukey range test. The nickel-chromium alloy exhibited the best marginal fit overall, comparable with zirconia and significantly different from lithium disilicate. Lithium disilicate exhibited the lowest mean values for internal fit, similar to zirconia and significantly different from the nickel-chrome alloy. The marginal and internal fit parameters of the 3 tested materials were within clinically acceptable range. Copyright © 2015 Editorial Council for the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

High-resolution x-ray computed tomography to understand ruminant phylogeny

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Costeur, Loic; Schulz, Georg; Müller, Bert

2014-09-01

High-resolution X-ray computed tomography has become a vital technique to study fossils down to the true micrometer level. Paleontological research requires the non-destructive analysis of internal structures of fossil specimens. We show how X-ray computed tomography enables us to visualize the inner ear of extinct and extant ruminants without skull destruction. The inner ear, a sensory organ for hearing and balance has a rather complex three-dimensional morphology and thus provides relevant phylogenetical information what has been to date essentially shown in primates. We made visible the inner ears of a set of living and fossil ruminants using the phoenix x-ray nanotom®m (GE Sensing and Inspection Technologies GmbH). Because of the high absorbing objects a tungsten target was used and the experiments were performed with maximum accelerating voltage of 180 kV and a beam current of 30 μA. Possible stem ruminants of the living families are known in the fossil record but extreme morphological convergences in external structures such as teeth is a strong limitation to our understanding of the evolutionary history of this economically important group of animals. We thus investigate the inner ear to assess its phylogenetical potential for ruminants and our first results show strong family-level morphological differences.

Hierarchical multimodal tomographic x-ray imaging at a superbend

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stampanoni, M.; Marone, F.; Mikuljan, G.; Jefimovs, K.; Trtik, P.; Vila-Comamala, J.; David, C.; Abela, R.

2008-08-01

Over the last decade, synchrotron-based X-ray tomographic microscopy has established itself as a fundamental tool for non-invasive, quantitative investigations of a broad variety of samples, with application ranging from space research and materials science to biology and medicine. Thanks to the brilliance of modern third generation sources, voxel sizes in the micrometer range are routinely achieved by the major X-ray microtomography devices around the world, while the isotropic 100 nm barrier is reached and trespassed only by few instruments. The beamline for TOmographic Microscopy and Coherent rAdiology experiments (TOMCAT) of the Swiss Light Source at the Paul Scherrer Institut, operates a multimodal endstation which offers tomographic capabilities in the micrometer range in absorption contrast - of course - as well as phase contrast imaging. Recently, the beamline has been equipped with a full field, hard X-rays microscope with a theoretical pixel size down to 30 nm and a field of view of 50 microns. The nanoscope performs well at X-ray energies between 8 and 12 keV, selected from the white beam of a 2.9 T superbend by a [Ru/C]100 fixed exit multilayer monochromator. In this work we illustrate the experimental setup dedicated to the nanoscope, in particular the ad-hoc designed X-ray optics needed to produce a homogeneous, square illumination of the sample imaging plane as well as the magnifying zone plate. Tomographic reconstructions at 60 nm voxel size will be shown and discussed.

21 CFR 892.1750 - Computed tomography x-ray system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Computed tomography x-ray system. 892.1750 Section 892.1750 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES... same axial plane taken at different angles. This generic type of device may include signal analysis and...

21 CFR 892.1750 - Computed tomography x-ray system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Computed tomography x-ray system. 892.1750 Section 892.1750 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES... same axial plane taken at different angles. This generic type of device may include signal analysis and...

21 CFR 892.1750 - Computed tomography x-ray system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Computed tomography x-ray system. 892.1750 Section 892.1750 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES... same axial plane taken at different angles. This generic type of device may include signal analysis and...

21 CFR 892.1750 - Computed tomography x-ray system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Computed tomography x-ray system. 892.1750 Section 892.1750 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES... same axial plane taken at different angles. This generic type of device may include signal analysis and...

21 CFR 892.1750 - Computed tomography x-ray system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Computed tomography x-ray system. 892.1750 Section 892.1750 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES... same axial plane taken at different angles. This generic type of device may include signal analysis and...

The drag and terminal velocity of volcanic ash and lapilli with 3D shape obtained by X-ray microtomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dioguardi, Fabio; Mele, Daniela; Dellino, Pierfrancesco; Dürig, Tobias

2017-04-01

New experiments of falling volcanic particles were performed in order to define drag and terminal velocity models applicable in a wide range of Reynolds number Re. Experiments were carried out with fluids of various viscosities and with particles that cover a wide range of size, density and shape. Particle shape, which strongly influences fluid drag, was measured in 3D by High-resolution X-ray microtomography, by which sphericity and fractal dimension were obtained, the latter used for quantifying the aerodynamic drag of irregular particles for the first time. With this method, the measure of particle shape descriptors proved to be easier and less operator dependent than previously used 2D image particle analyses. Drag laws that make use of the new 3D parameters were obtained by fitting particle data to the experiments, and single-equation terminal velocity models were derived. They work well both at high and low Re (3x10-2 < Re < 104), while earlier formulations made use of different equations at different ranges of Re. The new drag laws are well suited for the modelling of particle transportation both in the eruptive column and pyroclastic density currents, where coarse and fine particles are present, and also in the distal part of the umbrella region, where fine ash is involved in the large-scale domains of atmospheric circulation. A table of the typical values of 3D sphericity and fractal dimension of particles from known plinian, subplinian and ash plume eruptions is presented. Graphs of terminal velocity as a function of grain size are proposed as tools to help volcanologists and atmosphere scientists to model particle transportation of explosive eruptions. Some volcanological application examples are finally presented.

3D chemical imaging in the laboratory by hyperspectral X-ray computed tomography

PubMed Central

Egan, C. K.; Jacques, S. D. M.; Wilson, M. D.; Veale, M. C.; Seller, P.; Beale, A. M.; Pattrick, R. A. D.; Withers, P. J.; Cernik, R. J.

2015-01-01

We report the development of laboratory based hyperspectral X-ray computed tomography which allows the internal elemental chemistry of an object to be reconstructed and visualised in three dimensions. The method employs a spectroscopic X-ray imaging detector with sufficient energy resolution to distinguish individual elemental absorption edges. Elemental distributions can then be made by K-edge subtraction, or alternatively by voxel-wise spectral fitting to give relative atomic concentrations. We demonstrate its application to two material systems: studying the distribution of catalyst material on porous substrates for industrial scale chemical processing; and mapping of minerals and inclusion phases inside a mineralised ore sample. The method makes use of a standard laboratory X-ray source with measurement times similar to that required for conventional computed tomography. PMID:26514938

Experimental investigation of dynamic fragmentation of laser shock-loaded by soft recovery and X-ray radiography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xin, Jianting; He, Weihua; Chu, Genbai; Gu, Yuqiu

2017-06-01

Dynamic fragmentation of metal under shock pressure is an important issue for both fundamental science and practical applications. And in recent decades, laser provides a promising shock loading technique for investigating the process of dynamic fragmentation under extreme condition application of high strain rate. Our group has performed experimental investigation of dynamic fragmentation under laser shock loading by soft recovery and X-ray radiography at SGC / ó prototype laser facility. The fragments under different loading pressures were recovered by PMP foam and analyzed by X-ray micro-tomography and the improved watershed method. The experiment result showed that the bilinear exponential distribution is more appropriate for representing the fragment size distribution. We also developed X-ray radiography technique. Owing to its inherent advantage over shadowgraph technique, X-ray radiography can potentially determine quantitatively material densities by measuring the X-ray transmission. Our group investigated dynamic process of microjetting by X-ray radiography technique, the recorded radiographic images show clear microjetting from the triangular grooves in the free surface of tin sample.

X-ray computed microtomography analysis of the influence of different agricultural treatments on the topsoil porosity of a Grey Brown Luvisol from Ontario

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taina, I. A.; Heck, R. J.; Scaiff, N. T.

2009-05-01

One of the most important applications of X-ray computed tomography (CT) for the study of soil is the characterization of the shape and spatial distribution of pores. Analysis of 3D X-ray CT image data, related to different pore categories, can provide insight to soil structural changes, which have implications in water infiltration and soil aeration, resulting from agricultural practices. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the spatial characteristics of voids, due to tillage practices, in the Ap horizon of an Orthic Grey- Brown Luvisol (located at the Elora Research Station of the University of Guelph). Undisturbed oriented soil samples were collected from ten plots representing different tillage treatments: spring moldboard plow, spring moldboard plow, cultivate and pack, fall moldboard plow, cultivate and pack, spring tandem disc, no cultivator, fall offset disc, fall offset disc, cultivate and pack, fall chisel plow, cultivate and pack, zero zone till (soys twin rows), zero tillage (long term), and zero tillage (corn residue removed in row, soys twin rows). Since the utilization of standardized classes, in the quantification of similar features, proved to be necessary in order to obtain comparable results, categories of pores, separated according to their size, circularity and orientation were considered in the interpretation of data. Total volume of pores and volume percentage of each class were calculated, revealing substantial differences among the analyzed soil samples.

Efficient high-resolution hard x-ray imaging with transparent Lu2O3:Eu scintillator thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marton, Zsolt; Miller, Stuart R.; Brecher, Charles; Kenesei, Peter; Moore, Matthew D.; Woods, Russell; Almer, Jonathan D.; Miceli, Antonino; Nagarkar, Vivek V.

2015-09-01

We have developed microstructured Lu2O3:Eu scintillator films that provide spatial resolution on the order of micrometers for hard X-ray imaging. In addition to their outstanding resolution, Lu2O3:Eu films also exhibits both high absorption efficiency for 20 to 100 keV X-rays, and bright 610 nm emission whose intensity rivals that of the brightest known scintillators. At present, high spatial resolution of such a magnitude is achieved using ultra-thin scintillators measuring only about 1 to 5 μm in thickness, which limits absorption efficiency to ~3% for 12 keV X-rays and less than 0.1% for 20 to 100 keV X-rays; this results in excessive measurement time and exposure to the specimen. But the absorption efficiency of Lu2O3:Eu (99.9% @12 keV and 30% @ 70 keV) is much greater, significantly decreasing measurement time and radiation exposure. Our Lu2O3:Eu scintillator material, fabricated by our electron-beam physical vapor deposition (EB-PVD) process, combines superior density of 9.5 g/cm3, a microcolumnar structure for higher spatial resolution, and a bright emission (48000 photons/MeV) whose wavelength is an ideal match for the underlying CCD detector array. We grew thin films of this material on a variety of matching substrates, measuring some 5-10μm in thickness and covering areas up to 1 x 1 cm2, which can be a suitable basis for microtomography, digital radiography as well as CT and hard X-ray Micro-Tomography (XMT). The microstructure and optical transparency of such screens was optimized, and their imaging performance was evaluated in the Argonne National Laboratory's Advanced Photon Source. Spatial resolution and efficiency were also characterized.

X-ray computed tomography using curvelet sparse regularization.

PubMed

Wieczorek, Matthias; Frikel, Jürgen; Vogel, Jakob; Eggl, Elena; Kopp, Felix; Noël, Peter B; Pfeiffer, Franz; Demaret, Laurent; Lasser, Tobias

2015-04-01

Reconstruction of x-ray computed tomography (CT) data remains a mathematically challenging problem in medical imaging. Complementing the standard analytical reconstruction methods, sparse regularization is growing in importance, as it allows inclusion of prior knowledge. The paper presents a method for sparse regularization based on the curvelet frame for the application to iterative reconstruction in x-ray computed tomography. In this work, the authors present an iterative reconstruction approach based on the alternating direction method of multipliers using curvelet sparse regularization. Evaluation of the method is performed on a specifically crafted numerical phantom dataset to highlight the method's strengths. Additional evaluation is performed on two real datasets from commercial scanners with different noise characteristics, a clinical bone sample acquired in a micro-CT and a human abdomen scanned in a diagnostic CT. The results clearly illustrate that curvelet sparse regularization has characteristic strengths. In particular, it improves the restoration and resolution of highly directional, high contrast features with smooth contrast variations. The authors also compare this approach to the popular technique of total variation and to traditional filtered backprojection. The authors conclude that curvelet sparse regularization is able to improve reconstruction quality by reducing noise while preserving highly directional features.

Direct integration of the inverse Radon equation for X-ray computed tomography.

PubMed

Libin, E E; Chakhlov, S V; Trinca, D

2016-11-22

A new mathematical appoach using the inverse Radon equation for restoration of images in problems of linear two-dimensional x-ray tomography is formulated. In this approach, Fourier transformation is not used, and it gives the chance to create the practical computing algorithms having more reliable mathematical substantiation. Results of software implementation show that for especially for low number of projections, the described approach performs better than standard X-ray tomographic reconstruction algorithms.

Evaluation of Defects inside Beryllium Foils using X-ray Computed Tomography and Shearing Interferometry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sakurai, Tatsuyuki; Kohmura, Yoshiki; Takeuchi, Akihisa

2007-01-19

When beryllium is used in transmission X-ray optical elements for spatially coherent beams, speckles are usually observed in the transmission images. These speckles seem to be caused by defects either inside or on the surface of beryllium foil. We measured highly polished beryllium foil using two methods, X-ray computed tomography and X-ray shearing interferometry. The results indicate that observed speckle pattern is caused by many voids inside beryllium or inner low-density regions.

A hyperspectral X-ray computed tomography system for enhanced material identification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Xiaomei; Wang, Qian; Ma, Jinlei; Zhang, Wei; Li, Po; Fang, Zheng

2017-08-01

X-ray computed tomography (CT) can distinguish different materials according to their absorption characteristics. The hyperspectral X-ray CT (HXCT) system proposed in the present work reconstructs each voxel according to its X-ray absorption spectral characteristics. In contrast to a dual-energy or multi-energy CT system, HXCT employs cadmium telluride (CdTe) as the x-ray detector, which provides higher spectral resolution and separate spectral lines according to the material's photon-counter working principle. In this paper, a specimen containing ten different polymer materials randomly arranged was adopted for material identification by HXCT. The filtered back-projection algorithm was applied for image and spectral reconstruction. The first step was to sort the individual material components of the specimen according to their cross-sectional image intensity. The second step was to classify materials with similar intensities according to their reconstructed spectral characteristics. The results demonstrated the feasibility of the proposed material identification process and indicated that the proposed HXCT system has good prospects for a wide range of biomedical and industrial nondestructive testing applications.

Effect of Tube-Based X-Ray Microtomography Imaging on the Amino Acid and Amine Content of the Murchison CM2 Chondrite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Glavin, D. P.; Friedrich, J. M.; Aponte, J. C.; Dworkin, J. P.; Ebel, D. S.; Elsila, J. E.; Hill, M.; McLain, H. L.; Towbin, W. H.

2017-01-01

X-ray and synchrotron X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) are increasingly being used for three dimensional reconnaissance imaging of chondrites and returned extraterrestrial material prior to detailed chemical and mineralogical analyses. Although micro-CT imaging is generally considered to be a non-destructive technique since silicate and metallic minerals in chondrites are not affected by X-ray exposures at the intensities and wavelengths typically used, there are concerns that the use of micro-CT could be detrimental to the organics in carbonaceous chondrites. We recently conducted a synchrotron micro-CT experiment on a powdered sample of the Murchison CM2 carbonaceous chondrite exposed to a monochromatic high energy (approximately 48 kiloelectronvolts) total X-ray radiation dose of approximately 1 kilogray (kGy) using the Advanced Photon Source beamline 13-BMD (13-Bending Magnet-D Beamline) at Argonne National Laboratory and found that there were no detectable changes in the amino acid abundances or enantiomeric compositions in the chondrite after exposure relative to a Murchison control sample that was not exposed. However, lower energy bremsstrahlung X-rays could interact more with amino acids and other lower molecular weight amines in meteorites. To test for this possibility, three separate micro-CT imaging experiments of the Murchison meteorite using the GE Phoenix v/tome/x s 240 kilovolt microfocus high resolution tungsten target X-ray tube instrument at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) were conducted and the amino acid abundances and enantiomeric compositions were determined. We also investigated the abundances of the C1-C5 amines in Murchison which were not analyzed in the first study.

Effects of infrared laser on the bone repair assessed by x-ray microtomography (μct) and histomorphometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paolillo, Alessandra Rossi; Paolillo, Fernanda Rossi; da Silva, Alessandro M. Hakme; Reiff, Rodrigo Bezerra de Menezes; Bagnato, Vanderlei Salvador; Alves, José Marcos

2015-06-01

The bone fracture is important public health problems. The lasertherapy is used to accelerate tissue healing. Regarding diagnosis, few methods are validated to follow the evolution of bone microarchitecture. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of lasertherapy on bone repair with x-ray microtomography (μCT) and histomorphometry. A transverse rat tibia osteotomy with a Kirchner wire and a 2mm width polymeric spacer beads were used to produce a delayed bone union. Twelve rats were divided into two groups: (i) Control Group: untreated fracture and; (ii) Laser Group: fracture treated with laser. Twelve sessions of treatment (808nm laser, 100mW, 125J/cm2, 50seconds) were performed. The μCT scanner parameters were: 100kV, 100μA, Al+Cu filter and 9.92μm resolution. A volume of interest (VOI) was chosen with 300 sections above and below the central region of the fracture, totaling 601sections with a 5.96mm. The softwares CT-Analyzer, NRecon and Mimics were used for 2D and 3D analysis. A histomorphometry analysis was also performed. The connectivity (Conn) showed significant increase for Laser Group than Control Group (32371+/-20689 vs 17216+/-9467, p<0.05). There was no significant difference for bone volume (59+/-19mm3 vs 47+/- 8mm3) and histomorfometric data [Laser and Control Groups showed greater amount of cartilaginous (0.19+/-0.05% vs 0.11+/-0.09%) and fibrotic (0.21+/-0.12% vs 0.09+/-0.11%) tissues]. The negative effect was presence of the cartilaginous and fibrotic tissues which may be related to the Kirchner wire and the non-absorption of the polymeric that may have influenced negatively the light distribution through the bone. However, the positive effect was greater bone connectivity, indicating improvement in bone microarchitecture.

X-ray luminescence computed tomography imaging via multiple intensity weighted narrow beam irradiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Bo; Gao, Feng; Zhao, Huijuan; Zhang, Limin; Li, Jiao; Zhou, Zhongxing

2018-02-01

The purpose of this work is to introduce and study a novel x-ray beam irradiation pattern for X-ray Luminescence Computed Tomography (XLCT), termed multiple intensity-weighted narrow-beam irradiation. The proposed XLCT imaging method is studied through simulations of x-ray and diffuse lights propagation. The emitted optical photons from X-ray excitable nanophosphors were collected by optical fiber bundles from the right-side surface of the phantom. The implementation of image reconstruction is based on the simulated measurements from 6 or 12 angular projections in terms of 3 or 5 x-ray beams scanning mode. The proposed XLCT imaging method is compared against the constant intensity weighted narrow-beam XLCT. From the reconstructed XLCT images, we found that the Dice similarity and quantitative ratio of targets have a certain degree of improvement. The results demonstrated that the proposed method can offer simultaneously high image quality and fast image acquisition.

Phase-contrast microtomography using an X-ray interferometer having a 40-μm analyzer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Momose, A.; Koyama, I.; Hamaishi, Y.; Yoshikawa, H.; Takeda, T.; Wu, J.; Itai, Y.; Takai, , K.; Uesugi, K.; Suzuki, Y.

2003-03-01

Phase-contrast X-ray tomographic experiment using a triple Laue-case (LLL) interferometer having a 40-μm lamella which was fabricated to improve spatial resolution, was carried out using undulator X-rays at SPring-8, Japan. Three-dimensional images mapping the refractive index were measured for various animal tissues. Comparing the images with those obtained in previous experiments using conventional LLL interferometers having a 1-mm lamella, improvement in the spatial resolution was demonstrated in that histological structures, such as hepatic lobules in liver and tubules in kidney, were revealed.

Deterministic Computer-Controlled Polishing Process for High-Energy X-Ray Optics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Khan, Gufran S.; Gubarev, Mikhail; Speegle, Chet; Ramsey, Brian

2010-01-01

A deterministic computer-controlled polishing process for large X-ray mirror mandrels is presented. Using tool s influence function and material removal rate extracted from polishing experiments, design considerations of polishing laps and optimized operating parameters are discussed

Computational Methods for Nanoscale X-ray Computed Tomography Image Analysis of Fuel Cell and Battery Materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Arjun S.

Over the last fifteen years, there has been a rapid growth in the use of high resolution X-ray computed tomography (HRXCT) imaging in material science applications. We use it at nanoscale resolutions up to 50 nm (nano-CT) for key research problems in large scale operation of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) and lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries in automotive applications. PEMFC are clean energy sources that electrochemically react with hydrogen gas to produce water and electricity. To reduce their costs, capturing their electrode nanostructure has become significant in modeling and optimizing their performance. For Li-ion batteries, a key challenge in increasing their scope for the automotive industry is Li metal dendrite growth. Li dendrites are structures of lithium with 100 nm features of interest that can grow chaotically within a battery and eventually lead to a short-circuit. HRXCT imaging is an effective diagnostics tool for such applications as it is a non-destructive method of capturing the 3D internal X-ray absorption coefficient of materials from a large series of 2D X-ray projections. Despite a recent push to use HRXCT for quantitative information on material samples, there is a relative dearth of computational tools in nano-CT image processing and analysis. Hence, we focus on developing computational methods for nano-CT image analysis of fuel cell and battery materials as required by the limitations in material samples and the imaging environment. The first problem we address is the segmentation of nano-CT Zernike phase contrast images. Nano-CT instruments are equipped with Zernike phase contrast optics to distinguish materials with a low difference in X-ray absorption coefficient by phase shifting the X-ray wave that is not diffracted by the sample. However, it creates image artifacts that hinder the use of traditional image segmentation techniques. To restore such images, we setup an inverse problem by modeling the X-ray phase contrast

Numerical Simulation of Permeability Change in Wellbore Cement Fractures after Geomechanical Stress and Geochemical Reactions Using X-ray Computed Tomography Imaging

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kabilan, Senthil; Jung, Hun Bok; Kuprat, Andrew P.

X-ray microtomography (XMT) imaging combined with a three-dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling technique was used to study the effect of geochemical and geomechanical processes on fracture properties in composite Portland cement–basalt caprock core samples. The effect of fluid properties and flow conditions on fracture permeability was numerically studied by using fluids with varying physical properties and simulating different pressure conditions. CFD revealed that the application of geomechanical stress led to increased fluid flow, which resulted in increased fracture permeability. After CO2-reaction, XMT images displayed preferential precipitation of calcium carbonate within the fractures in the cement matrix and lessmore » precipitation in fractures located at the cement–basalt interface. CFD predicted changes in flow characteristics and differences in absolute values of flow properties due to different pressure gradients. CFD was able to highlight the profound effect of fluid properties on flow characteristics and hydraulic properties of fractures. This study demonstrates the applicability of XMT imaging and CFD as powerful tools for characterizing the hydraulic properties of fractures in a number of applications like geologic carbon sequestration and storage, hydraulic fracturing for shale gas production, and enhanced geothermal systems.« less

Sinogram-based adaptive iterative reconstruction for sparse view x-ray computed tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trinca, D.; Zhong, Y.; Wang, Y.-Z.; Mamyrbayev, T.; Libin, E.

2016-10-01

With the availability of more powerful computing processors, iterative reconstruction algorithms have recently been successfully implemented as an approach to achieving significant dose reduction in X-ray CT. In this paper, we propose an adaptive iterative reconstruction algorithm for X-ray CT, that is shown to provide results comparable to those obtained by proprietary algorithms, both in terms of reconstruction accuracy and execution time. The proposed algorithm is thus provided for free to the scientific community, for regular use, and for possible further optimization.

Energy-discrimination x-ray computed tomography system utilizing a scanning cadmium-telluride detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sato, Eiichi; Abduraxit, Ablajan; Enomoto, Toshiyuki; Watanabe, Manabu; Hitomi, Keitaro; Takahashi, Kiyomi; Sato, Shigehiro; Ogawa, Akira; Onagawa, Jun

2010-04-01

An energy-discrimination K-edge x-ray computed tomography (CT) system is useful for controlling the image contrast of a target region by selecting both the photon energy and the energy width. The CT system has an oscillation-type linear cadmium telluride (CdTe) detectror. CT is performed by repeated linear scans and rotations of an object. Penetrating x-ray photons from the object are detected by a CdTe detector, and event signals of x-ray photons are produced using charge-sensitive and shaping amplifiers. Both photon energy and energy width are selected out using a multichannel analyzer, and the number of photons is counted by a counter card. In energy-discrimination CT, the tube voltage and tube current were 80 kV and 20 μA, respectively, and the x-ray intensity was 1.92 μGy/s at a distance of 1.0 m from the source and a tube voltage of 80 kV. The energy-discrimination CT was carried out by selecting x-ray photon energies.

Lab-X-ray multidimensional imaging of processes inside porous media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Godinho, Jose

2017-04-01

Time-lapse and other multidimensional X-ray imaging techniques have mostly been applied using synchrotron radiation, which limits accessibility and complicates data analysis. Here, we present new time-lapse imaging approaches using laboratory X-ray computed microtomography (CT) to study transformations inside porous media. Specifically, three methods will be presented: 1) Quantitative time-lapse radiography to study sub-second processes. For example to study the penetration of particles into fractures and pores, which is essential to understand how proppants keep fractures opened during hydraulic fracturing and how filter cakes form during borehole drilling. 2) Combination of time-lapse CT with diffraction tomography to study the transformation between bio-inspired polymorphs in 6D, e.g. mineral phase transformation between ACC, Vaterite and Calcite - CaCO3, and between ACS, Anhydrite and Gypsum - CaSO4. Crystals can be resolved in nanopores down to 7 nm (over 100 times smaller than the resolution of CT), which allows studying the effect of confinement on phase stability and growth rates. 3) Fast iterative helical micro-CT scanning to study samples of high ratio height to width (e.g. long cores) with optimal resolution. Here we show how this can be useful to study the distribution of the products from fluid-mediated mineral reactions throughout longer reaction paths and more representative volumes. Using state of the art reconstruction algorithms allows reducing the scanning times from over ten hours to below two hours enabling time-lapse studies. It is expected that these new techniques will open new possibilities for time-lapse imaging of a wider range of geological processes using laboratory X-ray CT, thereby increasing the accessibility of multidimensional imaging to a larger number of users and applications in geology.

Development of a Computer-Controlled Polishing Process for X-Ray Optics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Khan, Gufran S.; Gubarev, Mikhail; Arnold, William; Ramsey, Brian

2009-01-01

The future X-ray observatory missions require grazing-incidence x-ray optics with angular resolution of < 5 arcsec half-power diameter. The achievable resolution depends ultimately on the quality of polished mandrels from which the shells are replicated. With an aim to fabricate better shells, and reduce the cost/time of mandrel production, a computer-controlled polishing machine is developed for deterministic and localized polishing of mandrels. Cylindrical polishing software is also developed that predicts the surface residual errors under a given set of operating parameters and lap configuration. Design considerations of the polishing lap are discussed and the effects of nonconformance of the lap and the mandrel are presented.

Heavy metal staining, a comparative assessment of gadolinium chloride and osmium tetroxide for inner ear labyrinthine contrast enhancement using X-ray microtomography.

PubMed

Wong, Christopher C; Curthoys, Ian S; O'Leary, Stephen J; Jones, Allan S

2013-01-01

The use of both gadolinium chloride (GdCl(3)) and osmium tetroxide (OsO(4)) allowed for the visualization of the membranous labyrinth and other intralabyrinthine structures, at different intensities, as compared with the control sample. This initial comparison shows the advantages of GdCl(3) in radiological assessments and OsO(4) in more detailed anatomical studies and pathways of labyrinthine pathogenesis using X-ray microtomography (microCT). To assess an improved OsO(4) staining protocol and compare the staining affinities against GdCl(3). Guinea pig temporal bones were stained with either GdCl(3) (2% w/v) for 7 days or OsO(4) (2% w/v) for 3 days, and scanned in a microCT system. The post-scanned datasets were then assessed in a 3D rendering program. The enhanced soft tissue contrast as presented in the temporal bones stained with either GdCl(3) or OsO(4) allowed for the membranous labyrinth to be visualized throughout the whole specimen. GdCl(3)-stained specimens presented more defined contours of the bone profile in the radiographs, while OsO(4)-stained specimens provided more anatomical detail of individual intralabyrinthine structures, hence allowing spatial relationships to be visualized with ease in a 3D rendering context and 2D axial slice images.

Cracking evolution behaviors of lightweight materials based on in situ synchrotron X-ray tomography: A review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, Y.; Wu, S. C.; Hu, Y. N.; Fu, Y. N.

2018-03-01

Damage accumulation and failure behaviors are crucial concerns during the design and service of a critical component, leading researchers and engineers to thoroughly identifying the crack evolution. Third-generation synchrotron radiation X-ray computed microtomography can be used to detect the inner damage evolution of a large-density material or component. This paper provides a brief review of studying the crack initiation and propagation inside lightweight materials with advanced synchrotron three-dimensional (3D) X-ray imaging, such as aluminum materials. Various damage modes under both static and dynamic loading are elucidated for pure aluminum, aluminum alloy matrix, aluminum alloy metal matrix composite, and aluminum alloy welded joint. For aluminum alloy matrix, metallurgical defects (porosity, void, inclusion, precipitate, etc.) or artificial defects (notch, scratch, pit, etc.) strongly affect the crack initiation and propagation. For aluminum alloy metal matrix composites, the fracture occurs either from the particle debonding or voids at the particle/matrix interface, and the void evolution is closely related with fatigued cycles. For the hybrid laser welded aluminum alloy, fatigue cracks usually initiate from gas pores located at the surface or sub-surface and gradually propagate to a quarter ellipse or a typical semi-ellipse profile.

Shear behavior of thermoformed woven-textile thermoplastic prepregs: An analysis combining bias-extension test and X-ray microtomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gassoumi, M.; Rolland du Roscoat, S.; Casari, P.; Dumont, P. J. J.; Orgéas, L.; Jacquemin, F.

2017-10-01

Thermoforming allows the manufacture of structural parts for the automotive and aeronautical domains using long fiber thermoplastic prepregs with short cycle times. During this operation, several sheets of molten prepregs are stacked and subjected to large macroscale strains, mainly via in-plane shear, out-of-plane consolidation or dilatation, and bending of the fibrous reinforcement. These deformation modes and the related meso and microstructure evolutions are still poorly understood. However, they can drastically alter the end-use macroscale properties of fabricated parts. To better understand these phenomena, bias extension tests were performed using specimens made of several stacked layers of glass woven fabrics and polyamide matrix. The macroscale shear behavior of these prepregs was investigated at various temperatures. A multiscale analysis of deformed samples was performed using X-ray microtomography images of the deformed specimens acquired at two different spatial resolutions. The low-resolution images were used to analyze the deformation mechanisms and the structural characteristics of prepregs at the macroscale and bundle scales. It was possible to analyze the 3D shapes of deformed samples and, in particular, the spatial variations of their thickness so as to quantify the out-of-plane dilatancy or consolidation phenomena induced by the in-plane shear of prepregs. At a lower scale, the analysis of the high-resolution images showed that these mechanisms were accompanied by the growth of pores and the deformation of fiber bundles. The orientation of the fiber bundles and its through-thickness evolution were measured along the weft and warp directions in the deformed samples, allowing the relevance of geometrical models currently used to analyze bias extension tests to be discussed. Results can be used to enhance the current rheological models for the prediction of thermoforming of thermoplastic prepregs.

Mapping the spatial and temporal progression of human dental enamel biomineralization using synchrotron X-ray diffraction.

PubMed

Simmons, Lisa M; Montgomery, Janet; Beaumont, Julia; Davis, Graham R; Al-Jawad, Maisoon

2013-11-01

The complex biological, physicochemical process of human dental enamel formation begins in utero and for most teeth takes several years to complete. Lost enamel tissue cannot regenerate, therefore a better understanding of the spatial and temporal progression of mineralization of this tissue is needed in order to design improved in vivo mineral growth processes for regenerative dentistry and allow the possibility to grow a synthetic whole or partial tooth. Human dental enamel samples across a range of developmental stages available through archaeological collections have been used to explore the spatial and temporal progression of enamel biomineralization. Position sensitive synchrotron X-ray diffraction was used to quantify spatial and temporal variations in crystallite organization, lattice parameters and crystallite thickness at three different stages in enamel maturation. In addition X-ray microtomography was used to study mineral content distributions. An inverse correlation was found between the spatial variation in mineral content and the distribution of crystallite organization and thickness as a function of time during enamel maturation. Combined X-ray microtomography and synchrotron X-ray diffraction results show that as enamel matures the mineral content increases and the mineral density distribution becomes more homogeneous. Starting concurrently but proceeding at a slower rate, the enamel crystallites become more oriented and larger; and the crystallite organization becomes spatially more complex and heterogeneous. During the mineralization of human dental enamel, the rate of mineral formation and mineral organization are not identical. Whilst the processes start simultaneously, full mineral content is achieved earlier, and crystallite organization is slower and continues for longer. These findings provide detailed insights into mineral development in human dental enamel which can inform synthetic biomimetic approaches for the benefit of clinical

Energy-discriminating X-ray computed tomography system utilizing a cadmium telluride detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sato, Eiichi; Abderyim, Purkhet; Enomoto, Toshiyuki; Watanabe, Manabu; Hitomi, Keitaro; Takahasi, Kiyomi; Sato, Shigehiro; Ogawae, Akira; Onagawa, Jun

2010-07-01

An energy-discriminating K-edge X-ray computed tomography (CT) system is useful for increasing contrast resolution of a target region utilizing contrast media and for reducing the absorbed dose for patients. The CT system is of the first-generation type with a cadmium telluride (CdTe) detector, and a projection curve is obtained by translation scanning using the CdTe detector in conjunction with an x-stage. An object is rotated by the rotation step angle using a turntable between the translation scans. Thus, CT is carried out by repeating the translation scanning and the rotation of an object. Penetrating X-ray photons from the object are detected by the CdTe detector, and event signals of X-ray photons are produced using charge-sensitive and shaping amplifiers. Both the photon energy and the energy width are selected by use of a multi-channel analyzer, and the number of photons is counted by a counter card. Demonstration of enhanced iodine K-edge X-ray CT was carried out by selecting photons with energies just beyond the iodine K-edge energy of 33.2 keV.

Progress in Cell Marking for Synchrotron X-ray Computed Tomography

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hall, Christopher; Sturm, Erica; Schultke, Elisabeth

2010-07-23

Recently there has been an increase in research activity into finding ways of marking cells in live animals for pre-clinical trials. Development of certain drugs and other therapies crucially depend on tracking particular cells or cell types in living systems. Therefore cell marking techniques are required which will enable longitudinal studies, where individuals can be examined several times over the course of a therapy or study. The benefits of being able to study both disease and therapy progression in individuals, rather than cohorts are clear. The need for high contrast 3-D imaging, without harming or altering the biological system requiresmore » a non-invasive yet penetrating imaging technique. The technique will also have to provide an appropriate spatial and contrast resolution. X-ray computed tomography offers rapid acquisition of 3-D images and is set to become one of the principal imaging techniques in this area. Work by our group over the last few years has shown that marking cells with gold nano-particles (GNP) is an effective means of visualising marked cells in-vivo using x-ray CT. Here we report the latest results from these studies. Synchrotron X-ray CT images of brain lesions in rats taken using the SYRMEP facility at the Elettra synchrotron in 2009 have been compared with histological examination of the tissues. Some deductions are drawn about the visibility of the gold loaded cells in both light microscopy and x-ray imaging.« less

Progress in Cell Marking for Synchrotron X-ray Computed Tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hall, Christopher; Sturm, Erica; Schultke, Elisabeth; Arfelli, Fulvia; Menk, Ralf-Hendrik; Astolfo, Alberto; Juurlink, Bernhard H. J.

2010-07-01

Recently there has been an increase in research activity into finding ways of marking cells in live animals for pre-clinical trials. Development of certain drugs and other therapies crucially depend on tracking particular cells or cell types in living systems. Therefore cell marking techniques are required which will enable longitudinal studies, where individuals can be examined several times over the course of a therapy or study. The benefits of being able to study both disease and therapy progression in individuals, rather than cohorts are clear. The need for high contrast 3-D imaging, without harming or altering the biological system requires a non-invasive yet penetrating imaging technique. The technique will also have to provide an appropriate spatial and contrast resolution. X-ray computed tomography offers rapid acquisition of 3-D images and is set to become one of the principal imaging techniques in this area. Work by our group over the last few years has shown that marking cells with gold nano-particles (GNP) is an effective means of visualising marked cells in-vivo using x-ray CT. Here we report the latest results from these studies. Synchrotron X-ray CT images of brain lesions in rats taken using the SYRMEP facility at the Elettra synchrotron in 2009 have been compared with histological examination of the tissues. Some deductions are drawn about the visibility of the gold loaded cells in both light microscopy and x-ray imaging.

Synchrotron-Based X-ray Microtomography Characterization of the Effect of Processing Variables on Porosity Formation in Laser Power-Bed Additive Manufacturing of Ti-6Al-4V

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cunningham, Ross; Narra, Sneha P.; Montgomery, Colt; Beuth, Jack; Rollett, A. D.

2017-03-01

The porosity observed in additively manufactured (AM) parts is a potential concern for components intended to undergo high-cycle fatigue without post-processing to remove such defects. The morphology of pores can help identify their cause: irregularly shaped lack of fusion or key-holing pores can usually be linked to incorrect processing parameters, while spherical pores suggest trapped gas. Synchrotron-based x-ray microtomography was performed on laser powder-bed AM Ti-6Al-4V samples over a range of processing conditions to investigate the effects of processing parameters on porosity. The process mapping technique was used to control melt pool size. Tomography was also performed on the powder to measure porosity within the powder that may transfer to the parts. As observed previously in experiments with electron beam powder-bed fabrication, significant variations in porosity were found as a function of the processing parameters. A clear connection between processing parameters and resulting porosity formation mechanism was observed in that inadequate melt pool overlap resulted in lack-of-fusion pores whereas excess power density produced keyhole pores.

Plain X-ray, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings of telangiectatic osteosarcoma: a case report.

PubMed

Skiadas, Vasilios; Koutoulidis, Vasilios; Koureas, Andreas; Moulopoulos, Lia; Gouliamos, Athanasios

2009-09-16

An 18-year-old male patient presented with chronic nonspecific pain of three months located at his left proximal tibia. The patient was admitted to our department for plain X-ray, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging examination. Plain X-ray and computed tomography revealed a geographic lytic lesion at the medial aspect of the proximal tibia. Biopsy of the lesion showed telangiectatic osteosarcoma. Image findings of all modalities are presented.

Incoherent-scatter computed tomography with monochromatic synchrotron x ray: feasibility of multi-CT imaging system for simultaneous measurement-of fluorescent and incoherent scatter x rays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuasa, T.; Akiba, M.; Takeda, T.; Kazama, M.; Hoshino, A.; Watanabe, Y.; Hyodo, K.; Dilmanian, F. A.; Akatsuka, T.; Itai, Y.

1997-10-01

We describe a new system of incoherent scatter computed tomography (ISCT) using monochromatic synchrotron X rays, and we discuss its potential to be used in in vivo imaging for medical use. The system operates on the basis of computed tomography (CT) of the first generation. The reconstruction method for ISCT uses the least squares method with singular value decomposition. The research was carried out at the BLNE-5A bending magnet beam line of the Tristan Accumulation Ring in KEK, Japan. An acrylic cylindrical phantom of 20-mm diameter containing a cross-shaped channel was imaged. The channel was filled with a diluted iodine solution with a concentration of 200 /spl mu/gI/ml. Spectra obtained with the system's high purity germanium (HPGe) detector separated the incoherent X-ray line from the other notable peaks, i.e., the iK/sub /spl alpha// and K/sub /spl beta/1/ X-ray fluorescent lines and the coherent scattering peak. CT images were reconstructed from projections generated by integrating the counts In the energy window centering around the incoherent scattering peak and whose width was approximately 2 keV. The reconstruction routine employed an X-ray attenuation correction algorithm. The resulting image showed more homogeneity than one without the attenuation correction.

Plain X-ray, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings of telangiectatic osteosarcoma: a case report

PubMed Central

Koutoulidis, Vasilios; Koureas, Andreas; Moulopoulos, Lia; Gouliamos, Athanasios

2009-01-01

An 18-year-old male patient presented with chronic nonspecific pain of three months located at his left proximal tibia. The patient was admitted to our department for plain X-ray, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging examination. Plain X-ray and computed tomography revealed a geographic lytic lesion at the medial aspect of the proximal tibia. Biopsy of the lesion showed telangiectatic osteosarcoma. Image findings of all modalities are presented. PMID:19918488

X-ray imaging inspection of fiberglass reinforced by epoxy composite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rique, A. M.; Machado, A. C.; Oliveira, D. F.; Lopes, R. T.; Lima, I.

2015-04-01

The goal of this work was to study the voids presented in bonded joints in order to minimize failures due to low adhesion of the joints in the industry field. One of the main parameters to be characterized is the porosity of the glue, since these pores are formed by several reasons in the moment of its adhesion, which are formed by composite of epoxy resin reinforced by fiberglass. For such purpose, it was used high energy X-ray microtomography and the results show its potential effective in recognizing and quantifying directly in 3D all the occlusions regions presented at glass fiber-epoxy adhesive joints.

Optimized Detector Angular Configuration Increases the Sensitivity of X-ray Fluorescence Computed Tomography (XFCT).

PubMed

Ahmad, Moiz; Bazalova-Carter, Magdalena; Fahrig, Rebecca; Xing, Lei

2015-05-01

In this work, we demonstrated that an optimized detector angular configuration based on the anisotropic energy distribution of background scattered X-rays improves X-ray fluorescence computed tomography (XFCT) detection sensitivity. We built an XFCT imaging system composed of a bench-top fluoroscopy X-ray source, a CdTe X-ray detector, and a phantom motion stage. We imaged a 6.4-cm-diameter phantom containing different concentrations of gold solution and investigated the effect of detector angular configuration on XFCT image quality. Based on our previous theoretical study, three detector angles were considered. The X-ray fluorescence detector was first placed at 145 (°) (approximating back-scatter) to minimize scatter X-rays. XFCT image quality was compared to images acquired with the detector at 60 (°) (forward-scatter) and 90 (°) (side-scatter). The datasets for the three different detector positions were also combined to approximate an isotropically arranged detector. The sensitivity was optimized with detector in the 145 (°) back-scatter configuration counting the 78-keV gold Kβ1 X-rays. The improvement arose from the reduced energy of scattered X-ray at the 145 (°) position and the large energy separation from gold K β1 X-rays. The lowest detected concentration in this configuration was 2.5 mgAu/mL (or 0.25% Au with SNR = 4.3). This concentration could not be detected with the 60 (°) , 90 (°) , or isotropic configurations (SNRs = 1.3, 0, 2.3, respectively). XFCT imaging dose of 14 mGy was in the range of typical clinical X-ray CT imaging doses. To our knowledge, the sensitivity achieved in this experiment is the highest in any XFCT experiment using an ordinary bench-top X-ray source in a phantom larger than a mouse ( > 3 cm).

Monochromatic computed microtomography using laboratory and synchrotron sources and X-ray fluorescence analysis for comprehensive analysis of structural changes in bones.

PubMed

Buzmakov, Alexey; Chukalina, Marina; Nikolaev, Dmitry; Gulimova, Victoriya; Saveliev, Sergey; Tereschenko, Elena; Seregin, Alexey; Senin, Roman; Zolotov, Denis; Prun, Victor; Shaefer, Gerald; Asadchikov, Victor

2015-06-01

A combination of X-ray tomography at different wavelengths and X-ray fluorescence analysis was applied in the study of two types of bone tissue changes: prolonged presence in microgravity conditions and age-related bone growth. The proximal tail vertebrae of geckos were selected for investigation because they do not bear the supporting load in locomotion, which allows them to be considered as an independent indicator of gravitational influence. For the vertebrae of geckos no significant differences were revealed in the elemental composition of the flight samples and the synchronous control samples. In addition, the gecko bone tissue samples from the jaw apparatus, spine and shoulder girdle were measured. The dynamics of structural changes in the bone tissue growth was studied using samples of a human fetal hand. The hands of human fetuses of 11-15 weeks were studied. Autonomous zones of calcium accumulation were found not only in individual fingers but in each of the investigated phalanges. The results obtained are discussed.

Grating-based X-ray Dark-field Computed Tomography of Living Mice.

PubMed

Velroyen, A; Yaroshenko, A; Hahn, D; Fehringer, A; Tapfer, A; Müller, M; Noël, P B; Pauwels, B; Sasov, A; Yildirim, A Ö; Eickelberg, O; Hellbach, K; Auweter, S D; Meinel, F G; Reiser, M F; Bech, M; Pfeiffer, F

2015-10-01

Changes in x-ray attenuating tissue caused by lung disorders like emphysema or fibrosis are subtle and thus only resolved by high-resolution computed tomography (CT). The structural reorganization, however, is of strong influence for lung function. Dark-field CT (DFCT), based on small-angle scattering of x-rays, reveals such structural changes even at resolutions coarser than the pulmonary network and thus provides access to their anatomical distribution. In this proof-of-concept study we present x-ray in vivo DFCTs of lungs of a healthy, an emphysematous and a fibrotic mouse. The tomographies show excellent depiction of the distribution of structural - and thus indirectly functional - changes in lung parenchyma, on single-modality slices in dark field as well as on multimodal fusion images. Therefore, we anticipate numerous applications of DFCT in diagnostic lung imaging. We introduce a scatter-based Hounsfield Unit (sHU) scale to facilitate comparability of scans. In this newly defined sHU scale, the pathophysiological changes by emphysema and fibrosis cause a shift towards lower numbers, compared to healthy lung tissue.

Grating-based X-ray Dark-field Computed Tomography of Living Mice

PubMed Central

Velroyen, A.; Yaroshenko, A.; Hahn, D.; Fehringer, A.; Tapfer, A.; Müller, M.; Noël, P.B.; Pauwels, B.; Sasov, A.; Yildirim, A.Ö.; Eickelberg, O.; Hellbach, K.; Auweter, S.D.; Meinel, F.G.; Reiser, M.F.; Bech, M.; Pfeiffer, F.

2015-01-01

Changes in x-ray attenuating tissue caused by lung disorders like emphysema or fibrosis are subtle and thus only resolved by high-resolution computed tomography (CT). The structural reorganization, however, is of strong influence for lung function. Dark-field CT (DFCT), based on small-angle scattering of x-rays, reveals such structural changes even at resolutions coarser than the pulmonary network and thus provides access to their anatomical distribution. In this proof-of-concept study we present x-ray in vivo DFCTs of lungs of a healthy, an emphysematous and a fibrotic mouse. The tomographies show excellent depiction of the distribution of structural – and thus indirectly functional – changes in lung parenchyma, on single-modality slices in dark field as well as on multimodal fusion images. Therefore, we anticipate numerous applications of DFCT in diagnostic lung imaging. We introduce a scatter-based Hounsfield Unit (sHU) scale to facilitate comparability of scans. In this newly defined sHU scale, the pathophysiological changes by emphysema and fibrosis cause a shift towards lower numbers, compared to healthy lung tissue. PMID:26629545

Cone Beam X-ray Luminescence Computed Tomography Based on Bayesian Method.

PubMed

Zhang, Guanglei; Liu, Fei; Liu, Jie; Luo, Jianwen; Xie, Yaoqin; Bai, Jing; Xing, Lei

2017-01-01

X-ray luminescence computed tomography (XLCT), which aims to achieve molecular and functional imaging by X-rays, has recently been proposed as a new imaging modality. Combining the principles of X-ray excitation of luminescence-based probes and optical signal detection, XLCT naturally fuses functional and anatomical images and provides complementary information for a wide range of applications in biomedical research. In order to improve the data acquisition efficiency of previously developed narrow-beam XLCT, a cone beam XLCT (CB-XLCT) mode is adopted here to take advantage of the useful geometric features of cone beam excitation. Practically, a major hurdle in using cone beam X-ray for XLCT is that the inverse problem here is seriously ill-conditioned, hindering us to achieve good image quality. In this paper, we propose a novel Bayesian method to tackle the bottleneck in CB-XLCT reconstruction. The method utilizes a local regularization strategy based on Gaussian Markov random field to mitigate the ill-conditioness of CB-XLCT. An alternating optimization scheme is then used to automatically calculate all the unknown hyperparameters while an iterative coordinate descent algorithm is adopted to reconstruct the image with a voxel-based closed-form solution. Results of numerical simulations and mouse experiments show that the self-adaptive Bayesian method significantly improves the CB-XLCT image quality as compared with conventional methods.

Cone Beam X-ray Luminescence Computed Tomography Based on Bayesian Method

PubMed Central

Liu, Fei; Luo, Jianwen; Xie, Yaoqin; Bai, Jing

2017-01-01

X-ray luminescence computed tomography (XLCT), which aims to achieve molecular and functional imaging by X-rays, has recently been proposed as a new imaging modality. Combining the principles of X-ray excitation of luminescence-based probes and optical signal detection, XLCT naturally fuses functional and anatomical images and provides complementary information for a wide range of applications in biomedical research. In order to improve the data acquisition efficiency of previously developed narrow-beam XLCT, a cone beam XLCT (CB-XLCT) mode is adopted here to take advantage of the useful geometric features of cone beam excitation. Practically, a major hurdle in using cone beam X-ray for XLCT is that the inverse problem here is seriously ill-conditioned, hindering us to achieve good image quality. In this paper, we propose a novel Bayesian method to tackle the bottleneck in CB-XLCT reconstruction. The method utilizes a local regularization strategy based on Gaussian Markov random field to mitigate the ill-conditioness of CB-XLCT. An alternating optimization scheme is then used to automatically calculate all the unknown hyperparameters while an iterative coordinate descent algorithm is adopted to reconstruct the image with a voxel-based closed-form solution. Results of numerical simulations and mouse experiments show that the self-adaptive Bayesian method significantly improves the CB-XLCT image quality as compared with conventional methods. PMID:27576245

High-speed photon-counting x-ray computed tomography system utilizing a multipixel photon counter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sato, Eiichi; Enomoto, Toshiyuki; Watanabe, Manabu; Hitomi, Keitaro; Takahashi, Kiyomi; Sato, Shigehiro; Ogawa, Akiro; Onagawa, Jun

2009-07-01

High-speed photon counting is useful for discriminating photon energy and for decreasing absorbed dose for patients in medical radiography, and the counting is usable for constructing an x-ray computed tomography (CT) system. A photon-counting x-ray CT system is of the first generation type and consists of an x-ray generator, a turn table, a translation stage, a two-stage controller, a multipixel photon counter (MPPC) module, a 1.0-mm-thick LSO crystal (scintillator), a counter card (CC), and a personal computer (PC). Tomography is accomplished by repeating the linear scanning and the rotation of an object, and projection curves of the object are obtained by the linear scanning using the detector consisting of a MPPC module and the LSO. The pulses of the event signal from the module are counted by the CC in conjunction with the PC. The lower level of the photon energy is roughly determined by a comparator circuit in the module, and the unit of the level is the photon equivalent (pe). Thus, the average photon energy of the x-ray spectra increases with increasing the lower-level voltage of the comparator. The maximum count rate was approximately 20 Mcps, and energy-discriminated CT was roughly carried out.

Probing the Dynamics of Biomineralization at the Pore Scale Using X-ray Computed Tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Armstrong, R. T.; Ajo Franklin, J. B.

2009-12-01

Biomineralization is a natural subsurface process that upon stimulation can dramatically affect soil mechanics and hydraulics. This work presents the results of a study where synchrotron based X-Ray Computed Microtomography (CMT) is used to investigate temporal cementation dynamics and the spatial distribution of biogenic CaCO3 at the pore-scale, thus, shedding light on pore clogging and contact cementation. To facilitate these studies we have developed a family of flow-through bioreactors (ID 8 mm) which can be scanned continuously during precipitation experiments. The reactor is also equipped with differential pressure transducers to allow measurement of sample permeability. Porosity permeability correlations, cementation morphology, CaCO3 spatial distribution, and bulk cementation are addressed herein. Sporosarcina pasteurii (formally Bacillus pasteurii), our model organism, is a prevalent aerobic, motile, soil microbe with a very active urease enzyme. Hydrolysis of urea by the urease enzyme generates carbonate ions, ammonium and an increase in pH which favors carbonate precipitation if appropriate metal cations (e.g. Ca2+) are available. Brightfield microscope results show that precipitation occurs within close proximity of the cell membrane reducing microbial motility and forming a CaCO3 precipitate with a "fluffy" appearance. Besides providing an aqueous environment favorable for mineralization S. pasteurii also provides nucleation sites on its cell membrane. Since this microbe is very effective at inducing carbonate precipitation over a relativity short time span (2-3 days), it was used exclusively in our experiments. Prior to CMT imaging the feasibility of temporal imaging was investigated. Viable cell counts taken before and after imaging showed that a considerable amount of bacteria survived the monochromatic (30 KeV) X-ray exposure. Cementation experiments initiated with inoculation of the CMT column with microbes and urea media, cells were allowed to

Numerical Simulation of Permeability Change in Wellbore Cement Fractures after Geomechanical Stress and Geochemical Reactions Using X-ray Computed Tomography Imaging.

PubMed

Kabilan, Senthil; Jung, Hun Bok; Kuprat, Andrew P; Beck, Anthon N; Varga, Tamas; Fernandez, Carlos A; Um, Wooyong

2016-06-21

X-ray microtomography (XMT) imaging combined with three-dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling technique was used to study the effect of geochemical and geomechanical processes on fracture permeability in composite Portland cement-basalt caprock core samples. The effect of fluid density and viscosity and two different pressure gradient conditions on fracture permeability was numerically studied by using fluids with varying density and viscosity and simulating two different pressure gradient conditions. After the application of geomechanical stress but before CO2-reaction, CFD revealed fluid flow increase, which resulted in increased fracture permeability. After CO2-reaction, XMT images displayed preferential precipitation of calcium carbonate within the fractures in the cement matrix and less precipitation in fractures located at the cement-basalt interface. CFD estimated changes in flow profile and differences in absolute values of flow velocity due to different pressure gradients. CFD was able to highlight the profound effect of fluid viscosity on velocity profile and fracture permeability. This study demonstrates the applicability of XMT imaging and CFD as powerful tools for characterizing the hydraulic properties of fractures in a number of applications like geologic carbon sequestration and storage, hydraulic fracturing for shale gas production, and enhanced geothermal systems.

Computational time-resolved and resonant x-ray scattering of strongly correlated materials

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bansil, Arun

Basic-Energy Sciences of the Department of Energy (BES/DOE) has made large investments in x-ray sources in the U.S. (NSLS-II, LCLS, NGLS, ALS, APS) as powerful enabling tools for opening up unprecedented new opportunities for exploring properties of matter at various length and time scales. The coming online of the pulsed photon source, literally allows us to see and follow the dynamics of processes in materials at their natural timescales. There is an urgent need therefore to develop theoretical methodologies and computational models for understanding how x-rays interact with matter and the related spectroscopies of materials. The present project addressed aspectsmore » of this grand challenge of x-ray science. In particular, our Collaborative Research Team (CRT) focused on developing viable computational schemes for modeling x-ray scattering and photoemission spectra of strongly correlated materials in the time-domain. The vast arsenal of formal/numerical techniques and approaches encompassed by the members of our CRT were brought to bear through appropriate generalizations and extensions to model the pumped state and the dynamics of this non-equilibrium state, and how it can be probed via x-ray absorption (XAS), emission (XES), resonant and non-resonant x-ray scattering, and photoemission processes. We explored the conceptual connections between the time-domain problems and other second-order spectroscopies, such as resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS) because RIXS may be effectively thought of as a pump-probe experiment in which the incoming photon acts as the pump, and the fluorescent decay is the probe. Alternatively, when the core-valence interactions are strong, one can view K-edge RIXS for example, as the dynamic response of the material to the transient presence of a strong core-hole potential. Unlike an actual pump-probe experiment, here there is no mechanism for adjusting the time-delay between the pump and the probe. However, the core hole

SU-C-209-06: Improving X-Ray Imaging with Computer Vision and Augmented Reality

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

MacDougall, R.D.; Scherrer, B; Don, S

Purpose: To determine the feasibility of using a computer vision algorithm and augmented reality interface to reduce repeat rates and improve consistency of image quality and patient exposure in general radiography. Methods: A prototype device, designed for use with commercially available hardware (Microsoft Kinect 2.0) capable of depth sensing and high resolution/frame rate video, was mounted to the x-ray tube housing as part of a Philips DigitalDiagnost digital radiography room. Depth data and video was streamed to a Windows 10 PC. Proprietary software created an augmented reality interface where overlays displayed selectable information projected over real-time video of the patient.more » The information displayed prior to and during x-ray acquisition included: recognition and position of ordered body part, position of image receptor, thickness of anatomy, location of AEC cells, collimated x-ray field, degree of patient motion and suggested x-ray technique. Pre-clinical data was collected in a volunteer study to validate patient thickness measurements and x-ray images were not acquired. Results: Proprietary software correctly identified ordered body part, measured patient motion, and calculated thickness of anatomy. Pre-clinical data demonstrated accuracy and precision of body part thickness measurement when compared with other methods (e.g. laser measurement tool). Thickness measurements provided the basis for developing a database of thickness-based technique charts that can be automatically displayed to the technologist. Conclusion: The utilization of computer vision and commercial hardware to create an augmented reality view of the patient and imaging equipment has the potential to drastically improve the quality and safety of x-ray imaging by reducing repeats and optimizing technique based on patient thickness. Society of Pediatric Radiology Pilot Grant; Washington University Bear Cub Fund.« less

Building a Unified Computational Model for the Resonant X-Ray Scattering of Strongly Correlated Materials

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bansil, Arun

2016-12-01

Basic-Energy Sciences of the Department of Energy (BES/DOE) has made large investments in x-ray sources in the U.S. (NSLS-II, LCLS, NGLS, ALS, APS) as powerful enabling tools for opening up unprecedented new opportunities for exploring properties of matter at various length and time scales. The coming online of the pulsed photon source literally allows us to see and follow the dynamics of processes in materials at their natural timescales. There is an urgent need therefore to develop theoretical methodologies and computational models for understanding how x-rays interact with matter and the related spectroscopies of materials. The present project addressed aspectsmore » of this grand challenge of X-ray science. In particular, our Collaborative Research Team (CRT) focused on understanding and modeling of elastic and inelastic resonant X-ray scattering processes. We worked to unify the three different computational approaches currently used for modeling X-ray scattering—density functional theory, dynamical mean-field theory, and small-cluster exact diagonalization—to achieve a more realistic material-specific picture of the interaction between X-rays and complex matter. To achieve a convergence in the interpretation and to maximize complementary aspects of different theoretical methods, we concentrated on the cuprates, where most experiments have been performed. Our team included both US and international researchers, and it fostered new collaborations between researchers currently working with different approaches. In addition, we developed close relationships with experimental groups working in the area at various synchrotron facilities in the US. Our CRT thus helped toward enabling the US to assume a leadership role in the theoretical development of the field, and to create a global network and community of scholars dedicated to X-ray scattering research.« less

High-sensitive computed tomography system using a silicon-PIN x-ray diode

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sato, Eiichi; Sato, Yuich; Abudurexiti, Abulajiang; Hagiwara, Osahiko; Matsukiyo, Hiroshi; Osawa, Akihiro; Enomoto, Toshiyuki; Watanabe, Manabu; Kusachi, Shinya; Sato, Shigehiro; Ogawa, Akira; Onagawa, Jun

2012-10-01

A low-dose-rate X-ray computed tomography (CT) system is useful for reducing absorbed dose for patients. The CT system with a tube current of 1.91 mA was developed using a silicon-PIN X-ray diode (Si-PIN-XD). The Si-PIN-XD is a selected high-sensitive Si-PIN photodiode (PD) for detecting X-ray photons. X-ray photons are detected directly using the Si-PIN-XD without a scintillator, and the photocurrent from the diode is amplified using current-voltage and voltage-voltage amplifiers. The output voltage is converted into logical pulses using a voltage-frequency converter with maximum frequency of 500 kHz, and the frequency is proportional to the voltage. The pulses from the converter are sent to differentiator with a time constant of 1 μs to generate short positive pulses for counting, and the pulses are counted using a counter card. Tomography is accomplished by repeated linear scans and rotations of an object, and projection curves of the object are obtained by the linear scan. The exposure time for obtaining a tomogram was 5 min at a scan step of 0.5 mm and a rotation step of 3.0°. The tube current and voltage were 1.91 mA and 100 kV, respectively, and gadolinium K-edge CT was carried out using filtered X-ray spectra with a peak energy of 52 keV.

Synchrotron-based X-ray computed tomography during compression loading of cellular materials

DOE PAGES

Cordes, Nikolaus L.; Henderson, Kevin; Stannard, Tyler; ...

2015-04-29

Three-dimensional X-ray computed tomography (CT) of in situ dynamic processes provides internal snapshot images as a function of time. Tomograms are mathematically reconstructed from a series of radiographs taken in rapid succession as the specimen is rotated in small angular increments. In addition to spatial resolution, temporal resolution is important. Thus temporal resolution indicates how close together in time two distinct tomograms can be acquired. Tomograms taken in rapid succession allow detailed analyses of internal processes that cannot be obtained by other means. This article describes the state-of-the-art for such measurements acquired using synchrotron radiation as the X-ray source.

The use of microtomography in structural geology: A new methodology to analyse fault faces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jacques, Patricia D.; Nummer, Alexis Rosa; Heck, Richard J.; Machado, Rômulo

2014-09-01

This paper describes a new methodology to kinematically analyze faults in microscale dimensions (voxel size = 40 μm), using images obtained by X-ray computed microtomography (μCT). The equipment used is a GE MS8x-130 scanner. It was developed using rocks samples from Santa Catarina State, Brazil, and constructing micro Digital Elevation Models (μDEMs) for the fault surface, for analysing microscale brittle structures including striations, roughness and steps. Shaded relief images were created for the μDEMs, which enabled the generation of profiles to classify the secondary structures associated with the main fault surface. In the case of a sample with mineral growth that covers the fault surface, it is possible to detect the kinematic geometry even with the mineral cover. This technique proved to be useful for determining the sense of movement of faults, especially when it is not possible to determine striations in macro or microscopic analysis. When the sample has mineral deposit on the surface (mineral cover) this technique allows a relative chronology and geometric characterization between the faults with and without covering.

Patient size and x-ray technique factors in head computed tomography examinations. II. Image quality.

PubMed

Huda, Walter; Lieberman, Kristin A; Chang, Jack; Roskopf, Marsha L

2004-03-01

We investigated how patient head characteristics, as well as the choice of x-ray technique factors, affect lesion contrast and noise values in computed tomography (CT) images. Head sizes and mean Hounsfield unit (HU) values were obtained from head CT images for five classes of patients ranging from the newborn to adults. X-ray spectra with tube voltages ranging from 80 to 140 kV were used to compute the average photon energy, and energy fluence, transmitted through the heads of patients of varying size. Image contrast, and the corresponding contrast to noise ratios (CNRs), were determined for lesions of fat, muscle, and iodine relative to a uniform water background. Maintaining a constant image CNR for each lesion, the patient energy imparted was also computed to identify the x-ray tube voltage that minimized the radiation dose. For adults, increasing the tube voltage from 80 to 140 kV changed the iodine HU from 2.62 x 10(5) to 1.27 x 10(5), the fat HU from -138 to -108, and the muscle HU from 37.1 to 33.0. Increasing the x-ray tube voltage from 80 to 140 kV increased the percentage energy fluence transmission by up to a factor of 2. For a fixed x-ray tube voltage, the percentage transmitted energy fluence in adults was more than a factor of 4 lower than for newborns. For adults, increasing the x-ray tube voltage from 80 to 140 kV improved the CNR for muscle lesions by 130%, for fat lesions by a factor of 2, and for iodine lesions by 25%. As the size of the patient increased from newborn to adults, lesion CNR was reduced by about a factor of 2. The mAs value can be reduced by 80% when scanning newborns while maintaining the same lesion CNR as for adults. Maintaining the CNR of an iodine lesion at a constant level, use of 140 kV increases the energy imparted to an adult patient by nearly a factor of 3.5 in comparison to 80 kV. For fat and muscle lesions, raising the x-ray tube voltage from 80 to 140 kV at a constant CNR increased the patient dose by 37% and 7

Basic investigation of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry for bone densitometry using computed radiography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shimura, Kazuo; Nakajima, Nobuyoshi; Tanaka, Hiroshi; Ishida, Masamitsu; Kato, Hisatoyo

1993-09-01

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is one of the bone densitometry techniques to diagnose osteoporosis, and has been gradually getting popular due to its high degree of precision. However, DXA involves a time-consuming examination because of its pencil-beam scan, and the equipment is expensive. In this study, we examined a new bone densitometry technique (CR-DXA) utilizing an X-ray imaging system and Computed Radiography (CR) used for medical X-ray image diagnosis. High level of measurement precision and accuracy could be achieved by X-ray rube voltage/filter optimization and various nonuniformity corrections based on simulation and experiment. The phantom study using a bone mineral block showed precision of 0.83% c.v. (coefficient of variation), and accuracy of 0.01 g/cm2, suggesting that a practically equivalent degree of measurement precision and accuracy to that of the DXA approach is achieved. CR-DXA is considered to provide bone mineral densitometry to facilitate simple, quick and precise bone mineral density measurement.

Multi-mounted X-ray cone-beam computed tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fu, Jian; Wang, Jingzheng; Guo, Wei; Peng, Peng

2018-04-01

As a powerful nondestructive inspection technique, X-ray computed tomography (X-CT) has been widely applied to clinical diagnosis, industrial production and cutting-edge research. Imaging efficiency is currently one of the major obstacles for the applications of X-CT. In this paper, a multi-mounted three dimensional cone-beam X-CT (MM-CBCT) method is reported. It consists of a novel multi-mounted cone-beam scanning geometry and the corresponding three dimensional statistical iterative reconstruction algorithm. The scanning geometry is the most iconic design and significantly different from the current CBCT systems. Permitting the cone-beam scanning of multiple objects simultaneously, the proposed approach has the potential to achieve an imaging efficiency orders of magnitude greater than the conventional methods. Although multiple objects can be also bundled together and scanned simultaneously by the conventional CBCT methods, it will lead to the increased penetration thickness and signal crosstalk. In contrast, MM-CBCT avoids substantially these problems. This work comprises a numerical study of the method and its experimental verification using a dataset measured with a developed MM-CBCT prototype system. This technique will provide a possible solution for the CT inspection in a large scale.

Hybrid setup for micro- and nano-computed tomography in the hard X-ray range

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fella, Christian; Balles, Andreas; Hanke, Randolf; Last, Arndt; Zabler, Simon

2017-12-01

With increasing miniaturization in industry and medical technology, non-destructive testing techniques are an area of ever-increasing importance. In this framework, X-ray microscopy offers an efficient tool for the analysis, understanding, and quality assurance of microscopic samples, in particular as it allows reconstructing three-dimensional data sets of the whole sample's volume via computed tomography (CT). The following article describes a compact X-ray microscope in the hard X-ray regime around 9 keV, based on a highly brilliant liquid-metal-jet source. In comparison to commercially available instruments, it is a hybrid that works in two different modes. The first one is a micro-CT mode without optics, which uses a high-resolution detector to allow scans of samples in the millimeter range with a resolution of 1 μm. The second mode is a microscope, which contains an X-ray optical element to magnify the sample and allows resolving 150 nm features. Changing between the modes is possible without moving the sample. Thus, the instrument represents an important step towards establishing high-resolution laboratory-based multi-mode X-ray microscopy as a standard investigation method.

[Contribution of X-ray computed tomography in the evaluation of kidney performance].

PubMed

Lemoine, Sandrine; Rognant, Nicolas; Collet-Benzaquen, Diane; Juillard, Laurent

2012-07-01

X-ray computer assisted tomography scanner is an imaging method based on the use of X-ray attenuation in tissue. This attenuation is proportional to the density of the tissue (without or after contrast media injection) in each pixel image of the image. Spiral scanner, the electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) scanner and multidetector computed tomography scanner allow renal anatomical measurements, such as cortical and medullary volume, but also the measurement of renal functional parameters, such as regional renal perfusion, renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate. These functional parameters are extracted from the modeling of the kinetics of the contrast media concentration in the vascular space and the renal tissue, using two main mathematical models (the gamma variate model and the Patlak model). Renal functional imaging allows measuring quantitative parameters on each kidney separately, in a non-invasive manner, providing significant opportunities in nephrology, both for experimental and clinical studies. However, this method uses contrast media that may alter renal function, thus limiting its use in patients with chronic renal failure. Moreover, the increase irradiation delivered to the patient with multi detector computed tomography (MDCT) should be considered. Copyright © 2011 Association Société de néphrologie. Published by Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.

Orthogonal switching of AMS axes during type-2 fold interference: Insights from integrated X-ray computed tomography, AMS and 3D petrography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sayab, Mohammad; Miettinen, Arttu; Aerden, Domingo; Karell, Fredrik

2017-10-01

We applied X-ray computed microtomography (μ-CT) in combination with anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) analysis to study metamorphic rock fabrics in an oriented drill core sample of pyrite-pyrrhotite-quartz-mica schist. The sample is extracted from the Paleoproterozoic Martimo metasedimentary belt of northern Finland. The μ-CT resolves the spatial distribution, shape and orientation of 25,920 pyrrhotite and 153 pyrite grains localized in mm-thick metapelitic laminae. Together with microstructural analysis, the μ-CT allows us to interpret the prolate symmetry of the AMS ellipsoid and its relationship to the deformation history. AMS of the sample is controlled by pyrrhotite porphyroblasts that grew syntectonically during D1 in subhorizontal microlithons. The short and intermediate axes (K3 and K2) of the AMS ellipsoid interchanged positions during a subsequent deformation (D2) that intensely crenulated S1 and deformed pyrrhotite, while the long axes (K1) maintained a constant position parallel to the maximum stretching direction. However, it is likely that all the three AMS axes switched, similar to the three principal axes of the shape ellipsoid of pyrite porphyroblasts from D1 to D2. The superposition of D1 and D2 produced a type-2 fold interference pattern.

SAVLOC, computer program for automatic control and analysis of X-ray fluorescence experiments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leonard, R. F.

1977-01-01

A program for a PDP-15 computer is presented which provides for control and analysis of trace element determinations by using X-ray fluorescence. The program simultaneously handles data accumulation for one sample and analysis of data from previous samples. Data accumulation consists of sample changing, timing, and data storage. Analysis requires the locating of peaks in X-ray spectra, determination of intensities of peaks, identification of origins of peaks, and determination of a real density of the element responsible for each peak. The program may be run in either a manual (supervised) mode or an automatic (unsupervised) mode.

Quantitative characterization of 3-dimensional melt distribution in partially molten olivine-basalt aggregates using X-ray synchrotron microtomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, W.; Gaetani, G. A.; Fusseis, F.

2009-12-01

Quantitative knowledge of the distribution of small amounts of silicate melt in peridotite and of its influence on permeability are critical to our understanding of melt migration and segregation processes in the upper mantle. Estimates for the permeability of partially molten rock require 3D melt distribution at the grain-scale. Existing studies of melt distribution, carried out on 2D slices through experimental charges, have produced divergent models for melt distribution at small melt fractions. While some studies conclude that small amounts of melt are distributed primarily along triple junctions [e.g., Wark et al., 2003], others predict an important role for melt distribution along grain boundaries at low melt fractions [e.g., Faul 1997]. Using X-ray synchrotron microtomography, we have obtained the first high quality non-destructive imaging of 3D melt distribution in olivine-basalt aggregates. Textually equilibrated partially molten samples consisting of magnesian olivine plus 2, 5, 10, or 20% primitive basalt were synthesized at 1.5 GPa and 1350°C in experiments lasting 264-336 hours. Microtomographic images of melt distribution were obtained on cylindrical cores, 1 mm in diameter, at a spatial resolution of 1 micron. Textual information such as melt channel size, dihedral angle and channel connectivity was then quantified using AVIZO and MATLAB. Our results indicate that as melt fraction decreases, melt becomes increasingly distributed along 3 grain junctions, in agreement with theoretical predictions. We do not find significant amounts of melt along grain boundaries at low melt fractions. We found that the true dihedral angle ranges from 50 to 70°, in agreements with results using 2D microcopy. Comparison between the samples provides a quantitative characterization of how melt fraction affects melt distribution including connectivity. The geometrical data have been incorporated into our network model to obtain macroscale transport properties for

Monochromatic computed microtomography using laboratory and synchrotron sources and X-ray fluorescence analysis for comprehensive analysis of structural changes in bones1

PubMed Central

Buzmakov, Alexey; Chukalina, Marina; Nikolaev, Dmitry; Gulimova, Victoriya; Saveliev, Sergey; Tereschenko, Elena; Seregin, Alexey; Senin, Roman; Zolotov, Denis; Prun, Victor; Shaefer, Gerald; Asadchikov, Victor

2015-01-01

A combination of X-ray tomography at different wavelengths and X-ray fluorescence analysis was applied in the study of two types of bone tissue changes: prolonged presence in microgravity conditions and age-related bone growth. The proximal tail vertebrae of geckos were selected for investigation because they do not bear the supporting load in locomotion, which allows them to be considered as an independent indicator of gravitational influence. For the vertebrae of geckos no significant differences were revealed in the elemental composition of the flight samples and the synchronous control samples. In addition, the gecko bone tissue samples from the jaw apparatus, spine and shoulder girdle were measured. The dynamics of structural changes in the bone tissue growth was studied using samples of a human fetal hand. The hands of human fetuses of 11–15 weeks were studied. Autonomous zones of calcium accumulation were found not only in individual fingers but in each of the investigated phalanges. The results obtained are discussed. PMID:26089762

A comparison of coronal X-ray structures of active regions with magnetic fields computed from photospheric observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Poletto, G.; Vaiana, G. S.; Zombeck, M. V.; Krieger, A. S.; Timothy, A. F.

1975-01-01

The appearances of several X-ray active regions observed on March 7, 1970 and June 15, 1973 are compared with the corresponding coronal magnetic-field topology. Coronal fields have been computed from measurements of the longitudinal component of the underlying magnetic fields, based on the current-free hypothesis. An overall correspondence between X-ray structures and calculated field lines is established, and the magnetic counterparts of different X-ray features are also examined. A correspondence between enhanced X-ray emission and the location of compact closed field lines is suggested. Representative magnetic-field values calculated under the assumption of current-free fields are given for heights up to 200 sec.

An accurate method for computer-generating tungsten anode x-ray spectra from 30 to 140 kV.

PubMed

Boone, J M; Seibert, J A

1997-11-01

A tungsten anode spectral model using interpolating polynomials (TASMIP) was used to compute x-ray spectra at 1 keV intervals over the range from 30 kV to 140 kV. The TASMIP is not semi-empirical and uses no physical assumptions regarding x-ray production, but rather interpolates measured constant potential x-ray spectra published by Fewell et al. [Handbook of Computed Tomography X-ray Spectra (U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 1981)]. X-ray output measurements (mR/mAs measured at 1 m) were made on a calibrated constant potential generator in our laboratory from 50 kV to 124 kV, and with 0-5 mm added aluminum filtration. The Fewell spectra were slightly modified (numerically hardened) and normalized based on the attenuation and output characteristics of a constant potential generator and metal-insert x-ray tube in our laboratory. Then, using the modified Fewell spectra of different kVs, the photon fluence phi at each 1 keV energy bin (E) over energies from 10 keV to 140 keV was characterized using polynomial functions of the form phi (E) = a0[E] + a1[E] kV + a2[E] kV2 + ... + a(n)[E] kVn. A total of 131 polynomial functions were used to calculate accurate x-ray spectra, each function requiring between two and four terms. The resulting TASMIP algorithm produced x-ray spectra that match both the quality and quantity characteristics of the x-ray system in our laboratory. For photon fluences above 10% of the peak fluence in the spectrum, the average percent difference (and standard deviation) between the modified Fewell spectra and the TASMIP photon fluence was -1.43% (3.8%) for the 50 kV spectrum, -0.89% (1.37%) for the 70 kV spectrum, and for the 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130 and 140 kV spectra, the mean differences between spectra were all less than 0.20% and the standard deviations were less than approximately 1.1%. The model was also extended to include the effects of generator-induced kV ripple. Finally, the x-ray photon fluence in the units of

X-ray Photon Counting Using 100 MHz Ready-Made Silicon P-Intrinsic-N X-ray Diode and Its Application to Energy-Dispersive Computed Tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kodama, Hajime; Watanabe, Manabu; Sato, Eiichi; Oda, Yasuyuki; Hagiwara, Osahiko; Matsukiyo, Hiroshi; Osawa, Akihiro; Enomoto, Toshiyuki; Kusachi, Shinya; Sato, Shigehiro; Ogawa, Akira

2013-07-01

X-ray photons are directly detected using a 100 MHz ready-made silicon P-intrinsic-N X-ray diode (Si-PIN-XD). The Si-PIN-XD is shielded using an aluminum case with a 25-µm-thick aluminum window and a BNC connector. The photocurrent from the Si-PIN-XD is amplified by charge sensitive and shaping amplifiers, and the event pulses are sent to a multichannel analyzer (MCA) to measure X-ray spectra. At a tube voltage of 90 kV, we observe K-series characteristic X-rays of tungsten. Photon-counting computed tomography (PC-CT) is accomplished by repeated linear scans and rotations of an object, and projection curves of the object are obtained by linear scanning at a tube current of 2.0 mA. The exposure time for obtaining a tomogram is 10 min with scan steps of 0.5 mm and rotation steps of 1.0°. At a tube voltage of 90 kV, the maximum count rate is 150 kcps. We carry out PC-CT using gadolinium media and confirm the energy-dispersive effect with changes in the lower level voltage of the event pulse using a comparator.

Sponge budding is a spatiotemporal morphological patterning process: Insights from synchrotron radiation-based x-ray microtomography into the asexual reproduction of Tethya wilhelma.

PubMed

Hammel, Jörg U; Herzen, Julia; Beckmann, Felix; Nickel, Michael

2009-09-08

Primary agametic-asexual reproduction mechanisms such as budding and fission are present in all non-bilaterian and many bilaterian animal taxa and are likely to be metazoan ground pattern characters. Cnidarians display highly organized and regulated budding processes. In contrast, budding in poriferans was thought to be less specific and related to the general ability of this group to reorganize their tissues. Here we test the hypothesis of morphological pattern formation during sponge budding. We investigated the budding process in Tethya wilhelma (Demospongiae) by applying 3D morphometrics to high resolution synchrotron radiation-based x-ray microtomography (SR-muCT) image data. We followed the morphogenesis of characteristic body structures and identified distinct morphological states which indeed reveal characteristic spatiotemporal morphological patterns in sponge bud development. We discovered the distribution of skeletal elements, canal system and sponge tissue to be based on a sequential series of distinct morphological states. Based on morphometric data we defined four typical bud stages. Once they have reached the final stage buds are released as fully functional juvenile sponges which are morphologically and functionally equivalent to adult specimens. Our results demonstrate that budding in demosponges is considerably more highly organized and regulated than previously assumed. Morphological pattern formation in asexual reproduction with underlying genetic regulation seems to have evolved early in metazoans and was likely part of the developmental program of the last common ancestor of all Metazoa (LCAM).

Sponge budding is a spatiotemporal morphological patterning process: Insights from synchrotron radiation-based x-ray microtomography into the asexual reproduction of Tethya wilhelma

PubMed Central

Hammel, Jörg U; Herzen, Julia; Beckmann, Felix; Nickel, Michael

2009-01-01

Background Primary agametic-asexual reproduction mechanisms such as budding and fission are present in all non-bilaterian and many bilaterian animal taxa and are likely to be metazoan ground pattern characters. Cnidarians display highly organized and regulated budding processes. In contrast, budding in poriferans was thought to be less specific and related to the general ability of this group to reorganize their tissues. Here we test the hypothesis of morphological pattern formation during sponge budding. Results We investigated the budding process in Tethya wilhelma (Demospongiae) by applying 3D morphometrics to high resolution synchrotron radiation-based x-ray microtomography (SR-μCT) image data. We followed the morphogenesis of characteristic body structures and identified distinct morphological states which indeed reveal characteristic spatiotemporal morphological patterns in sponge bud development. We discovered the distribution of skeletal elements, canal system and sponge tissue to be based on a sequential series of distinct morphological states. Based on morphometric data we defined four typical bud stages. Once they have reached the final stage buds are released as fully functional juvenile sponges which are morphologically and functionally equivalent to adult specimens. Conclusion Our results demonstrate that budding in demosponges is considerably more highly organized and regulated than previously assumed. Morphological pattern formation in asexual reproduction with underlying genetic regulation seems to have evolved early in metazoans and was likely part of the developmental program of the last common ancestor of all Metazoa (LCAM). PMID:19737392

Fluorescent x-ray computed tomography with synchrotron radiation using fan collimator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takeda, Tohoru; Akiba, Masahiro; Yuasa, Tetsuya; Kazama, Masahiro; Hoshino, Atsunori; Watanabe, Yuuki; Hyodo, Kazuyuki; Dilmanian, F. Avraham; Akatsuka, Takao; Itai, Yuji

1996-04-01

We describe a new system of fluorescent x-ray computed tomography applied to image nonradioactive contrast materials in vivo. The system operates on the basis of computed tomography (CT) of the first generation. The experiment was also simulated using the Monte Carlo method. The research was carried out at the BLNE-5A bending-magnet beam line of the Tristan Accumulation Ring in Kek, Japan. An acrylic cylindrical phantom containing five paraxial channels of 5 and 4 mm diameters was imaged. The channels were filled with a diluted iodine-based contrast material, with iodine concentrations of 2 mg/ml and 500 (mu) g/ml. Spectra obtained with the system's high purity germanium (HPGe) detector separated clearly the K(alpha ) and K(beta 1) x-ray fluorescent lines, and the Compton scattering. CT images were reconstructed from projections generated by integrating the counts in these spectral lines. The method had adequate sensitivity and detection power, as shown by the experiment and predicted by the simulations, to show the iodine content of the phantom channels, which corresponded to 1 and 4 (mu) g iodine content per pixel in the reconstructed images.

X-ray biosignature of bacteria in terrestrial and extra-terrestrial rocks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lemelle, L.; Simionovici, A.; Susini, J.; Oger, P.; Chukalina, M.; Rau, Ch.; Golosio, B.; Gillet, P.

2003-04-01

X-ray imaging techniques at the best spatial resolution and using synchrotron facilities are put forth as powerful techniques for the search of small life forms in extraterrestrial rocks under quarantine conditions (Lemelle et al. 2003). Samples, which may be collected in situ on the martian surface or on a cometary surface, will be brought back and finally stored in a container. We tested on the ID22 beamline, the possibilities of the X-ray absorption and fluorescence tomographies on sub-mm grains of NWA817 (Lemelle et al. submitted) and Tatahouine (Simionovici et al. 2001) meteorites stored in a 10 micrometer silica capillary, full of air, mimicking such containers. Studies of the X-ray microtomographies carried on reveal the positions, the 3D textures and mineralogies of the microenvironments where traces of life should be looked for in priority (with a submicrometer spatial resolution). Limitations with respect to bacterial detection are due to the difficulties to obtain information about light elements (Z <= 14), major constituents of biological and silicate samples. At this stage, traces of life were not detected, nor identified such as, on all the studied meteorites through the capillary. Theoretical developments of an internal elemental microanalysis combining X-ray fluorescence, Compton and Transmission tomographies will soon allow improvements of 3D detection of life by X-ray techniques (Golosio et al. submitted). We tested on the ID21 beamline, the possibilities of the X-ray imaging techniques on bacteria/silicate assemblages prepared in the laboratory and directly placed in the beam. The X-ray signature of a "present" bacteria on a silicate surface was defined by X-ray mapping, out of a container, as coincident micrometer and oval zones having strong P and S fluorescence lines (S-fluorescence being slightly lower than P-fluorescence) and an amino-linked sulfur redox speciation. The X-ray signature of a single bacteria can now be applied to test the

Synchrotron x-ray microtomography of the interior microstructure of chocolate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lügger, Svenja K.; Wilde, Fabian; Dülger, Nihan; Reinke, Lennart M.; Kozhar, Sergii; Beckmann, Felix; Greving, Imke; Vieira, Josélio; Heinrich, Stefan; Palzer, Stefan

2016-10-01

The structure of chocolate, a multicomponent food product, was analyzed using microtomography. Chocolate consists of a semi-solid cocoa butter matrix and a dense network of suspended particles. A detailed analysis of the microstructure is needed to understand mass transport phenomena. Transport of lipids from e.g. a filling or liquid cocoa butter is responsible for major problems in the confectionery industry such as formation of chocolate bloom, which is the formation of visible white spots or a grayish haze on the chocolate surface and leads to consumer rejections and thus large sales losses for the confectionery industry. In this study it was possible to visualize the inner structure of chocolate and clearly distinguish the particles from the continuous phase by taking advantage of the high density contrast of synchrotron radiation. Consequently, particle arrangement and cracks within the sample were made visible. The cracks are several micrometers thick and propagate throughout the entire sample. Images of pure cocoa butter, chocolate without any particles, did not show any cracks and thus confirmed that cracks are a result of embedded particles. They arise during the manufacturing process. Thus, the solidification process, a critical manufacturing step, was simulated with finite element methods in order to understand crack formation during this step. The simulation showed that cracks arise because of significant contraction of cocoa butter, the matrix phase, without any major change of volume of the suspended particles. Tempering of the chocolate mass prior to solidification is another critical step for a good product quality. We found that samples which solidified in an uncontrolled manner are less homogeneous than tempered samples. In summary, our study visualized for the first time the inner microstructure of tempered and untempered cocoa butter as well as chocolate without sample destruction and revealed cracks, which might act as transport pathways.

A tetrahedron beam computed tomography benchtop system with a multiple pixel field emission x-ray tube

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Xu, Xiaochao; Kim, Joshua; Laganis, Philip

2011-10-15

Purpose: To demonstrate the feasibility of Tetrahedron Beam Computed Tomography (TBCT) using a carbon nanotube (CNT) multiple pixel field emission x-ray (MPFEX) tube. Methods: A multiple pixel x-ray source facilitates the creation of novel x-ray imaging modalities. In a previous publication, the authors proposed a Tetrahedron Beam Computed Tomography (TBCT) imaging system which comprises a linear source array and a linear detector array that are orthogonal to each other. TBCT is expected to reduce scatter compared with Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) and to have better detector performance. Therefore, it may produce improved image quality for image guided radiotherapy. Inmore » this study, a TBCT benchtop system has been developed with an MPFEX tube. The tube has 75 CNT cold cathodes, which generate 75 x-ray focal spots on an elongated anode, and has 4 mm pixel spacing. An in-house-developed, 5-row CT detector array using silicon photodiodes and CdWO{sub 4} scintillators was employed in the system. Hardware and software were developed for tube control and detector data acquisition. The raw data were preprocessed for beam hardening and detector response linearity and were reconstructed with an FDK-based image reconstruction algorithm. Results: The focal spots were measured at about 1 x 2 mm{sup 2} using a star phantom. Each cathode generates around 3 mA cathode current with 2190 V gate voltage. The benchtop system is able to perform TBCT scans with a prolonged scanning time. Images of a commercial CT phantom were successfully acquired. Conclusions: A prototype system was developed, and preliminary phantom images were successfully acquired. MPFEX is a promising x-ray source for TBCT. Further improvement of tube output is needed in order for it to be used in clinical TBCT systems.« less

Laboratory manual: mineral X-ray diffraction data retrieval/plot computer program

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hauff, Phoebe L.; VanTrump, George

1976-01-01

The Mineral X-Ray Diffraction Data Retrieval/Plot Computer Program--XRDPLT (VanTrump and Hauff, 1976a) is used to retrieve and plot mineral X-ray diffraction data. The program operates on a file of mineral powder diffraction data (VanTrump and Hauff, 1976b) which contains two-theta or 'd' values, and intensities, chemical formula, mineral name, identification number, and mineral group code. XRDPLT is a machine-independent Fortran program which operates in time-sharing mode on a DEC System i0 computer and the Gerber plotter (Evenden, 1974). The program prompts the user to respond from a time-sharing terminal in a conversational format with the required input information. The program offers two major options: retrieval only; retrieval and plot. The first option retrieves mineral names, formulas, and groups from the file by identification number, by the mineral group code (a classification by chemistry or structure), or by searches based on the formula components. For example, it enables the user to search for minerals by major groups (i.e., feldspars, micas, amphiboles, oxides, phosphates, carbonates) by elemental composition (i.e., Fe, Cu, AI, Zn), or by a combination of these (i.e., all copper-bearing arsenates). The second option retrieves as the first, but also plots the retrieved 2-theta and intensity values as diagrammatic X-ray powder patterns on mylar sheets or overlays. These plots can be made using scale combinations compatible with chart recorder diffractograms and 114.59 mm powder camera films. The overlays are then used to separate or sieve out unrelated minerals until unknowns are matched and identified.

Characteristics of a ceramic-substrate x-ray diode and its application to computed tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Watanabe, Manabu; Sato, Eiichi; Kodama, Hajime; Hagiwara, Osahiko; Matsukiyo, Hiroshi; Osawa, Akihiro; Enomoto, Toshiyuki; Kusachi, Shinya; Sato, Shigehiro; Ogawa, Akira

2013-09-01

X-ray photon counting was performed using a silicon X-ray diode (Si-XD) at a tube current of 2.0 mA and tube voltages ranging from 50 to 70 kV. The Si-XD is a high-sensitivity Si photodiode selected for detecting X-ray photons, and Xray photons are directly detected using the Si-XD without a scintillator. Photocurrent from the diode is amplified using charge-sensitive and shaping amplifiers. To investigate the X-ray-electric conversion, we performed the event-pulseheight (EPH) analysis using a multichannel analyzer. Photon-counting computed tomography (PC-CT) is accomplished by repeated linear scans and rotations of an object, and projection curves of the object are obtained by the linear scan. The exposure time for obtaining a tomogram was 10 min at a scan step of 0.5 mm and a rotation step of 1.0°. In PC-CT at a tube voltage of 70 kV, the image contrast of iodine media fell with increasing lower-level voltage of the event pulse using a comparator.

Experimental validation of L-shell x-ray fluorescence computed tomography imaging: phantom study

PubMed Central

Bazalova-Carter, Magdalena; Ahmad, Moiz; Xing, Lei; Fahrig, Rebecca

2015-01-01

Abstract. Thanks to the current advances in nanoscience, molecular biochemistry, and x-ray detector technology, x-ray fluorescence computed tomography (XFCT) has been considered for molecular imaging of probes containing high atomic number elements, such as gold nanoparticles. The commonly used XFCT imaging performed with K-shell x rays appears to have insufficient imaging sensitivity to detect the low gold concentrations observed in small animal studies. Low energy fluorescence L-shell x rays have exhibited higher signal-to-background ratio and appeared as a promising XFCT mode with greatly enhanced sensitivity. The aim of this work was to experimentally demonstrate the feasibility of L-shell XFCT imaging and to assess its achievable sensitivity. We built an experimental L-shell XFCT imaging system consisting of a miniature x-ray tube and two spectrometers, a silicon drift detector (SDD), and a CdTe detector placed at ±120  deg with respect to the excitation beam. We imaged a 28-mm-diameter water phantom with 4-mm-diameter Eppendorf tubes containing gold solutions with concentrations of 0.06 to 0.1% Au. While all Au vials were detectable in the SDD L-shell XFCT image, none of the vials were visible in the CdTe L-shell XFCT image. The detectability limit of the presented L-shell XFCT SDD imaging setup was 0.007% Au, a concentration observed in small animal studies. PMID:26839910

Mcps-range photon-counting X-ray computed tomography system utilizing an oscillating linear-YAP(Ce) photon detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oda, Yasuyuki; Sato, Eiichi; Abudurexiti, Abulajiang; Hagiwara, Osahiko; Osawa, Akihiro; Matsukiyo, Hiroshi; Enomoto, Toshiyuki; Watanabe, Manabu; Kusachi, Shinya; Sugimura, Shigeaki; Endo, Haruyuki; Sato, Shigehiro; Ogawa, Akira; Onagawa, Jun

2011-07-01

High-speed X-ray photon counting is useful for discriminating photon energy, and the counting can be used for constructing an X-ray computed tomography (CT) system. A photon-counting X-ray CT system consists of an X-ray generator, a turntable, an oscillation linear detector, a two-stage controller, a multipixel photon counter (MPPC) module, a 1.0 mm-thick crystal (scintillator) of YAP(Ce) (cerium-doped yttrium aluminum perovskite), a counter card (CC), and a personal computer (PC). Tomography is accomplished by repeating the linear scanning and the rotation of an object, and projection curves of the object are obtained by the linear scanning using the detector consisting of an MPPC module, the YAP(Ce), and a scan stage. The pulses of the event signal from the module are counted by the CC in conjunction with the PC. Because the lower level of the photon energy was roughly determined by a comparator in the module, the average photon energy of the X-ray spectra increased with increase in the lower-level voltage of the comparator at a constant tube voltage. The maximum count rate was approximately 3 Mcps (mega counts per second), and photon-counting CT was carried out.

Machine learning for micro-tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parkinson, Dilworth Y.; Pelt, Daniël. M.; Perciano, Talita; Ushizima, Daniela; Krishnan, Harinarayan; Barnard, Harold S.; MacDowell, Alastair A.; Sethian, James

2017-09-01

Machine learning has revolutionized a number of fields, but many micro-tomography users have never used it for their work. The micro-tomography beamline at the Advanced Light Source (ALS), in collaboration with the Center for Applied Mathematics for Energy Research Applications (CAMERA) at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, has now deployed a series of tools to automate data processing for ALS users using machine learning. This includes new reconstruction algorithms, feature extraction tools, and image classification and recommen- dation systems for scientific image. Some of these tools are either in automated pipelines that operate on data as it is collected or as stand-alone software. Others are deployed on computing resources at Berkeley Lab-from workstations to supercomputers-and made accessible to users through either scripting or easy-to-use graphical interfaces. This paper presents a progress report on this work.

X-Ray Radiography of Gas Turbine Ceramics.

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-10-20

Microfocus X-ray equipment. 1a4ihe definition of equipment concepts for a computer assisted tomography ( CAT ) system; and 4ffthe development of a CAT ...were obtained from these test coupons using Microfocus X-ray and image en- hancement techniques. A Computer Assisted Tomography ( CAT ) design concept...monitor. Computer reconstruction algorithms were investigated with respect to CAT and a preferred approach was determined. An appropriate CAT algorithm

X-Ray Computed Tomography Inspection of the Stardust Heat Shield

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McNamara, Karen M.; Schneberk, Daniel J.; Empey, Daniel M.; Koshti, Ajay; Pugel, D. Elizabeth; Cozmuta, Ioana; Stackpoole, Mairead; Ruffino, Norman P.; Pompa, Eddie C.; Oliveras, Ovidio;

Digital enhancement of X-rays for NDT

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Butterfield, R. L.

1980-01-01

Report is "cookbook" for digital processing of industrial X-rays. Computer techniques, previously used primarily in laboratory and developmental research, have been outlined and codified into step by step procedures for enhancing X-ray images. Those involved in nondestructive testing should find report valuable asset, particularly is visual inspection is method currently used to process X-ray images.

3D printing of preclinical X-ray computed tomographic data sets.

PubMed

Doney, Evan; Krumdick, Lauren A; Diener, Justin M; Wathen, Connor A; Chapman, Sarah E; Stamile, Brian; Scott, Jeremiah E; Ravosa, Matthew J; Van Avermaete, Tony; Leevy, W Matthew

2013-03-22

Three-dimensional printing allows for the production of highly detailed objects through a process known as additive manufacturing. Traditional, mold-injection methods to create models or parts have several limitations, the most important of which is a difficulty in making highly complex products in a timely, cost-effective manner.(1) However, gradual improvements in three-dimensional printing technology have resulted in both high-end and economy instruments that are now available for the facile production of customized models.(2) These printers have the ability to extrude high-resolution objects with enough detail to accurately represent in vivo images generated from a preclinical X-ray CT scanner. With proper data collection, surface rendering, and stereolithographic editing, it is now possible and inexpensive to rapidly produce detailed skeletal and soft tissue structures from X-ray CT data. Even in the early stages of development, the anatomical models produced by three-dimensional printing appeal to both educators and researchers who can utilize the technology to improve visualization proficiency. (3, 4) The real benefits of this method result from the tangible experience a researcher can have with data that cannot be adequately conveyed through a computer screen. The translation of pre-clinical 3D data to a physical object that is an exact copy of the test subject is a powerful tool for visualization and communication, especially for relating imaging research to students, or those in other fields. Here, we provide a detailed method for printing plastic models of bone and organ structures derived from X-ray CT scans utilizing an Albira X-ray CT system in conjunction with PMOD, ImageJ, Meshlab, Netfabb, and ReplicatorG software packages.

A tetrahedron beam computed tomography benchtop system with a multiple pixel field emission x-ray tube.

PubMed

Xu, Xiaochao; Kim, Joshua; Laganis, Philip; Schulze, Derek; Liang, Yongguang; Zhang, Tiezhi

2011-10-01

To demonstrate the feasibility of Tetrahedron Beam Computed Tomography (TBCT) using a carbon nanotube (CNT) multiple pixel field emission x-ray (MPFEX) tube. A multiple pixel x-ray source facilitates the creation of novel x-ray imaging modalities. In a previous publication, the authors proposed a Tetrahedron Beam Computed Tomography (TBCT) imaging system which comprises a linear source array and a linear detector array that are orthogonal to each other. TBCT is expected to reduce scatter compared with Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) and to have better detector performance. Therefore, it may produce improved image quality for image guided radiotherapy. In this study, a TBCT benchtop system has been developed with an MPFEX tube. The tube has 75 CNT cold cathodes, which generate 75 x-ray focal spots on an elongated anode, and has 4 mm pixel spacing. An in-house-developed, 5-row CT detector array using silicon photodiodes and CdWO(4) scintillators was employed in the system. Hardware and software were developed for tube control and detector data acquisition. The raw data were preprocessed for beam hardening and detector response linearity and were reconstructed with an FDK-based image reconstruction algorithm. The focal spots were measured at about 1 × 2 mm(2) using a star phantom. Each cathode generates around 3 mA cathode current with 2190 V gate voltage. The benchtop system is able to perform TBCT scans with a prolonged scanning time. Images of a commercial CT phantom were successfully acquired. A prototype system was developed, and preliminary phantom images were successfully acquired. MPFEX is a promising x-ray source for TBCT. Further improvement of tube output is needed in order for it to be used in clinical TBCT systems.

Optimal iodine staining of cardiac tissue for X-ray computed tomography.

PubMed

Butters, Timothy D; Castro, Simon J; Lowe, Tristan; Zhang, Yanmin; Lei, Ming; Withers, Philip J; Zhang, Henggui

2014-01-01

X-ray computed tomography (XCT) has been shown to be an effective imaging technique for a variety of materials. Due to the relatively low differential attenuation of X-rays in biological tissue, a high density contrast agent is often required to obtain optimal contrast. The contrast agent, iodine potassium iodide ([Formula: see text]), has been used in several biological studies to augment the use of XCT scanning. Recently I2KI was used in XCT scans of animal hearts to study cardiac structure and to generate 3D anatomical computer models. However, to date there has been no thorough study into the optimal use of I2KI as a contrast agent in cardiac muscle with respect to the staining times required, which has been shown to impact significantly upon the quality of results. In this study we address this issue by systematically scanning samples at various stages of the staining process. To achieve this, mouse hearts were stained for up to 58 hours and scanned at regular intervals of 6-7 hours throughout this process. Optimal staining was found to depend upon the thickness of the tissue; a simple empirical exponential relationship was derived to allow calculation of the required staining time for cardiac samples of an arbitrary size.

X-ray computed tomography applied to investigate ancient manuscripts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bettuzzi, Matteo; Albertin, Fauzia; Brancaccio, Rosa; Casali, Franco; Pia Morigi, Maria; Peccenini, Eva

2017-03-01

I will describe in this paper the first results of a series of X-ray tomography applications, with different system setups, running on some ancient manuscripts containing iron-gall ink. The purpose is to verify the optimum measurement conditions with a laboratory instrumentation -that is also in fact portable- in order to recognize the text from the inside of the documents, without opening them. This becomes possible by exploiting the X-rays absorption contrast of iron-based ink and the three-dimensional reconstruction potential provided by computed tomography that overcomes problems that appear in simple radiograph practice. This work is part of a larger project of EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland), the "Venice Time Machine" project (EPEL, Digital Heritage Venice, http://dhvenice.eu/, 2015) aimed at digitizing, transcribing and sharing in an open database all the information of the State Archives of Venice, exploiting traditional digitization technologies and innovative methods of acquisition. In this first measurement campaign I investigated a manuscript of the seventeenth century made of a folded sheet; a couple of unopened ancient wills kept in the State Archives in Venice and a handwritten book of several hundred pages of notes of Physics of the nineteenth century.

X-Ray Astronomy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wu, S. T.

2000-01-01

Dr. S. N. Zhang has lead a seven member group (Dr. Yuxin Feng, Mr. XuejunSun, Mr. Yongzhong Chen, Mr. Jun Lin, Mr. Yangsen Yao, and Ms. Xiaoling Zhang). This group has carried out the following activities: continued data analysis from space astrophysical missions CGRO, RXTE, ASCA and Chandra. Significant scientific results have been produced as results of their work. They discovered the three-layered accretion disk structure around black holes in X-ray binaries; their paper on this discovery is to appear in the prestigious Science magazine. They have also developed a new method for energy spectral analysis of black hole X-ray binaries; four papers on this topics were presented at the most recent Atlanta AAS meeting. They have also carried Monte-Carlo simulations of X-ray detectors, in support to the hardware development efforts at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). These computation-intensive simulations have been carried out entirely on the computers at UAH. They have also carried out extensive simulations for astrophysical applications, taking advantage of the Monte-Carlo simulation codes developed previously at MSFC and further improved at UAH for detector simulations. One refereed paper and one contribution to conference proceedings have been resulted from this effort.

Patient size and x-ray technique factors in head computed tomography examinations. I. Radiation doses.

PubMed

Huda, Walter; Lieberman, Kristin A; Chang, Jack; Roskopf, Marsha L

2004-03-01

We investigated how patient age, size and composition, together with the choice of x-ray technique factors, affect radiation doses in head computed tomography (CT) examinations. Head size dimensions, cross-sectional areas, and mean Hounsfield unit (HU) values were obtained from head CT images of 127 patients. For radiation dosimetry purposes patients were modeled as uniform cylinders of water. Dose computations were performed for 18 x 7 mm sections, scanned at a constant 340 mAs, for x-ray tube voltages ranging from 80 to 140 kV. Values of mean section dose, energy imparted, and effective dose were computed for patients ranging from the newborn to adults. There was a rapid growth of head size over the first two years, followed by a more modest increase of head size until the age of 18 or so. Newborns have a mean HU value of about 50 that monotonically increases with age over the first two decades of life. Average adult A-P and lateral dimensions were 186+/-8 mm and 147+/-8 mm, respectively, with an average HU value of 209+/-40. An infant head was found to be equivalent to a water cylinder with a radius of approximately 60 mm, whereas an adult head had an equivalent radius 50% greater. Adult males head dimensions are about 5% larger than for females, and their average x-ray attenuation is approximately 20 HU greater. For adult examinations performed at 120 kV, typical values were 32 mGy for the mean section dose, 105 mJ for the total energy imparted, and 0.64 mSv for the effective dose. Increasing the x-ray tube voltage from 80 to 140 kV increases patient doses by about a factor of 5. For the same technique factors, mean section doses in infants are 35% higher than in adults. Energy imparted for adults is 50% higher than for infants, but infant effective doses are four times higher than for adults. CT doses need to take into account patient age, head size, and composition as well as the selected x-ray technique factors.

Monitoring X-Ray Emission from X-Ray Bursters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Halpern, Jules P.; Kaaret, Philip

1999-01-01

The scientific goal of this project was to monitor a selected sample of x-ray bursters using data from the All-Sky Monitor (ASM) on the Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer together with data from the Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) on the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory to study the long-term temporal evolution of these sources in the x-ray and hard x-ray bands. The project was closely related to "Long-Term Hard X-Ray Monitoring of X-Ray Bursters", NASA project NAG5-3891, and and "Hard x-ray emission of x-ray bursters", NASA project NAG5-4633, and shares publications in common with both of these. The project involved preparation of software for use in monitoring and then the actual monitoring itself. These efforts have lead to results directly from the ASM data and also from Target of Opportunity Observations (TOO) made with the Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer based on detection of transient hard x-ray outbursts with the ASM and BATSE.

X-Ray Computed Tomography of Tranquility Base Moon Rock

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, Justin S.; Garvin, Jim; Viens, Mike; Kent, Ryan; Munoz, Bruno

2016-01-01

X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) was used for the first time on the Apollo 11 Lunar Sample number 10057.30, which had been previously maintained by the White House, then transferred back to NASA under the care of Goddard Space Flight Center. Results from this analysis show detailed images of the internal structure of the moon rock, including vesicles (pores), crystal needles, and crystal bundles. These crystals, possibly the common mineral ilmenite, are found in abundance and with random orientation. Future work, in particular a greater understanding of these crystals and their formation, may lead to a more in-depth understanding of the lunar surface evolution and mineral content.

X-ray computed tomography of wood-adhesive bondlines: Attenuation and phase-contrast effects

DOE PAGES

Paris, Jesse L.; Kamke, Frederick A.; Xiao, Xianghui

2015-07-29

Microscale X-ray computed tomography (XCT) is discussed as a technique for identifying 3D adhesive distribution in wood-adhesive bondlines. Visualization and material segmentation of the adhesives from the surrounding cellular structures require sufficient gray-scale contrast in the reconstructed XCT data. Commercial wood-adhesive polymers have similar chemical characteristics and density to wood cell wall polymers and therefore do not provide good XCT attenuation contrast in their native form. Here, three different adhesive types, namely phenol formaldehyde, polymeric diphenylmethane diisocyanate, and a hybrid polyvinyl acetate, are tagged with iodine such that they yield sufficient X-ray attenuation contrast. However, phase-contrast effects at material edgesmore » complicate image quality and segmentation in XCT data reconstructed with conventional filtered backprojection absorption contrast algorithms. A quantitative phase retrieval algorithm, which isolates and removes the phase-contrast effect, was demonstrated. The paper discusses and illustrates the balance between material X-ray attenuation and phase-contrast effects in all quantitative XCT analyses of wood-adhesive bondlines.« less

X-ray computed tomography of wood-adhesive bondlines: Attenuation and phase-contrast effects

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Paris, Jesse L.; Kamke, Frederick A.; Xiao, Xianghui

Microscale X-ray computed tomography (XCT) is discussed as a technique for identifying 3D adhesive distribution in wood-adhesive bondlines. Visualization and material segmentation of the adhesives from the surrounding cellular structures require sufficient gray-scale contrast in the reconstructed XCT data. Commercial wood-adhesive polymers have similar chemical characteristics and density to wood cell wall polymers and therefore do not provide good XCT attenuation contrast in their native form. Here, three different adhesive types, namely phenol formaldehyde, polymeric diphenylmethane diisocyanate, and a hybrid polyvinyl acetate, are tagged with iodine such that they yield sufficient X-ray attenuation contrast. However, phase-contrast effects at material edgesmore » complicate image quality and segmentation in XCT data reconstructed with conventional filtered backprojection absorption contrast algorithms. A quantitative phase retrieval algorithm, which isolates and removes the phase-contrast effect, was demonstrated. The paper discusses and illustrates the balance between material X-ray attenuation and phase-contrast effects in all quantitative XCT analyses of wood-adhesive bondlines.« less

Compaction bands in shale revealed through digital volume correlation of time-resolved X-ray tomography scans

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McBeck, J.; Kobchenko, M.; Hall, S.; Tudisco, E.; Cordonnier, B.; Renard, F.

2017-12-01

Previous studies have identified compaction bands primarily within sandstones, and in fewer instances, within other porous rocks and sediments. Using Digital Volume Correlation (DVC) of X-ray microtomography scans, we find evidence of localized zones of high axial contraction that form tabular structures sub-perpendicular to maximum compression, σ1, in Green River shale. To capture in situ strain localization throughout loading, two shale cores were deformed in the HADES triaxial deformation apparatus installed on the X-ray microtomography beamline ID19 at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility. In these experiments, we increase σ1 in increments of two MPa, with constant confining pressure (20 MPa), until the sample fails in macroscopic shear. After each stress step, a 3D image of the sample inside the rig is acquired at a voxel resolution of 6.5 μm. The evolution of lower density regions within 3D reconstructions of linear attenuation coefficients reveal the development of fractures that fail with some opening. If a fracture produces negligible dilation, it may remain undetected in image segmentation of the reconstructions. We use the DVC software TomoWarp2 to identify undetected fractures and capture the 3D incremental displacement field between each successive pair of microtomography scans acquired in each experiment. The corresponding strain fields reveal localized bands of high axial contraction that host minimal shear strain, and thus match the kinematic definition of compaction bands. The bands develop sub-perpendicular to σ1 in the two samples in which pre-existing bedding laminations were oriented parallel and perpendicular to σ1. As the shales deform plastically toward macroscopic shear failure, the number of bands and axial contraction within the bands increase, while the spacing between the bands decreases. Compaction band development accelerates the rate of overall axial contraction, increasing the mean axial contraction throughout the sample

Multifractal Analysis of Seismically Induced Soft-Sediment Deformation Structures Imaged by X-Ray Computed Tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakashima, Yoshito; Komatsubara, Junko

Unconsolidated soft sediments deform and mix complexly by seismically induced fluidization. Such geological soft-sediment deformation structures (SSDSs) recorded in boring cores were imaged by X-ray computed tomography (CT), which enables visualization of the inhomogeneous spatial distribution of iron-bearing mineral grains as strong X-ray absorbers in the deformed strata. Multifractal analysis was applied to the two-dimensional (2D) CT images with various degrees of deformation and mixing. The results show that the distribution of the iron-bearing mineral grains is multifractal for less deformed/mixed strata and almost monofractal for fully mixed (i.e. almost homogenized) strata. Computer simulations of deformation of real and synthetic digital images were performed using the egg-beater flow model. The simulations successfully reproduced the transformation from the multifractal spectra into almost monofractal spectra (i.e. almost convergence on a single point) with an increase in deformation/mixing intensity. The present study demonstrates that multifractal analysis coupled with X-ray CT and the mixing flow model is useful to quantify the complexity of seismically induced SSDSs, standing as a novel method for the evaluation of cores for seismic risk assessment.

Comparing natural and artificial carious lesions in human crowns by means of conventional hard x-ray micro-tomography and two-dimensional x-ray scattering with synchrotron radiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Botta, Lea Maria; White, Shane N.; Deyhle, Hans; Dziadowiec, Iwona; Schulz, Georg; Thalmann, Peter; Müller, Bert

2016-10-01

Dental caries, one of the most prevalent infectious bacterial diseases in the world, is caused by specific types of acid-producing bacteria. Caries is a disease continuum resulting from the earliest loss of ions from apatite crystals through gross cavitation. Enamel dissolution starts when the pH-value drops below 5.5. Neutralizing the pH-value in the oral cavity opposes the process of demineralization, and so caries lesions occur in a dynamic cyclic de-mineralizing/remineralizing environment. Unfortunately, biomimetic regeneration of cavitated enamel is not yet possible, although remineralization of small carious lesions occurs under optimal conditions. Therefore, the development of methods that can regenerate carious lesions, and subsequently recover and retain teeth, is highly desirable. For the present proceedings we analyzed one naturally occurring sub-surface and one artificially produced lesion. For the characterization of artificial and natural lesions micro computed tomography is the method of choice when looking to determine three-dimensional mineral distribution and to quantify the degree of mineralization. In this pilot study we elucidate that the de-mineralized enamel in natural and artificially induced lesions shows comparable X-ray attenuation behavior, thereby implying that the study protocol employed herein seems to be appropriate. Once we know that the lesions are comparable, a series of well-reproducible in vitro experiments on enamel regeneration could be performed. In order to quantify further lesion morphology, the anisotropy of the enamel's nanostructure can be characterized by using spatially resolved, small-angle X-ray scattering. We wanted to demonstrate that the artificially induced defect fittingly resembles the natural carious lesion.

The Pore3D library package for the textural analysis of X-ray computed microtomographic images of rocks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zandomeneghi, Daria; Mancini, Lucia; Voltolini, Marco; Brun, Francesco; Polacci, Margherita

2010-05-01

Many research fields in Geosciences require the knowledge of the three-dimensional (3D) texture of rocks. X-ray computed microtomography (μCT) supplies an effective method to directly acquire 3D information. Transmission X-ray μCT is a non-destructive technique based on the mapping of the linear attenuation coefficient of X-rays crossing the investigated sample. The 3D distribution of constituents and the contrast based on the different absorption properties of the components can be enhanced by phase-contrast imaging. On an X-ray tomographic dataset, if spatial resolution at the micron scale and proper software are available, a complete textural and morphological quantitative analysis can be carried out and a number of parameters can be extracted, including geometry and organization of discrete rock components (such as crystals, vesicles, fractures, alteration-compositional zones). In the case of volcanic rocks, μCT can be used to image and quantify the textural and morphological characteristics of the rock constituents, such as vesicles (gas bubbles in solidified, erupted products), crystals and glass fibers. For pyroclastic rocks, investigated parameters to characterize the vesicle portion are the size distribution, geometry and orientation of the pores, the pore-throat size and organization, the pore-surface roughness and the topology of the overall pore and pore-throat network. In this work we present several procedures able to extract quantitative information from CT images of volcanic rocks. The imaging experiments have been carried out at the Elettra Synchrotron Light Laboratory in Trieste (Italy) using both the synchrotron radiation at the SYRMEP beamline and a custom-developed μCT system, named TOMOLAB, equipped with a microfocus X-ray tube and based on a cone-beam geometry. The reconstructed 3D images (or volumes) have been elaborated with a software library, named Pore3D, custom-developed by the SYRMEP group at Elettra. The Pore3D software library

Technical Note: spektr 3.0-A computational tool for x-ray spectrum modeling and analysis.

PubMed

Punnoose, J; Xu, J; Sisniega, A; Zbijewski, W; Siewerdsen, J H

2016-08-01

A computational toolkit (spektr 3.0) has been developed to calculate x-ray spectra based on the tungsten anode spectral model using interpolating cubic splines (TASMICS) algorithm, updating previous work based on the tungsten anode spectral model using interpolating polynomials (TASMIP) spectral model. The toolkit includes a matlab (The Mathworks, Natick, MA) function library and improved user interface (UI) along with an optimization algorithm to match calculated beam quality with measurements. The spektr code generates x-ray spectra (photons/mm(2)/mAs at 100 cm from the source) using TASMICS as default (with TASMIP as an option) in 1 keV energy bins over beam energies 20-150 kV, extensible to 640 kV using the TASMICS spectra. An optimization tool was implemented to compute the added filtration (Al and W) that provides a best match between calculated and measured x-ray tube output (mGy/mAs or mR/mAs) for individual x-ray tubes that may differ from that assumed in TASMICS or TASMIP and to account for factors such as anode angle. The median percent difference in photon counts for a TASMICS and TASMIP spectrum was 4.15% for tube potentials in the range 30-140 kV with the largest percentage difference arising in the low and high energy bins due to measurement errors in the empirically based TASMIP model and inaccurate polynomial fitting. The optimization tool reported a close agreement between measured and calculated spectra with a Pearson coefficient of 0.98. The computational toolkit, spektr, has been updated to version 3.0, validated against measurements and existing models, and made available as open source code. Video tutorials for the spektr function library, UI, and optimization tool are available.

Computational study of Drucker-Prager plasticity of rock using microtomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, J.; Sarout, J.; Zhang, M.; Dautriat, J.; Veveakis, M.; Regenauer-Lieb, K.

2016-12-01

Understanding the physics of rocks is essential for the industry of mining and petroleum. Microtomography provides a new way to quantify the relationship between the microstructure and their mechanical and transport properties. Transport and elastic properties have been studied widely while plastic properties are still poorly understood. In this study, we analyse a synthetic sandstone sample for its up-scaled plastic properties from the micro-scale. The computations are based on the representative volume element (RVE). The mechanical RVE was determined by the upper and lower bound finite element computations of elasticity. By comparing with experimental curves, the parameters of the matrix (solid part), which consists of calcite-cemented quartz grains, were investigated and quite accurate values obtained. Analyses deduced the bulk properties of yield stress, cohesion and the angle of friction of the rock with pores. Computations of a series of models of volume-sizes from 240-cube to 400-cube showed almost overlapped stress-strain curves, suggesting that the mechanical RVE determined by elastic computations is valid for plastic yielding. Furthermore, a series of derivative models were created which have similar structure but different porosity values. The analyses of these models showed that yield stress, cohesion and the angle of friction linearly decrease with the porosity increasing in the range of porosity from 8% to 28%. The angle of friction decreases the fastest and cohesion shows the most stable along with porosity.

X-ray Reflection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fabian, A. C.; Ross, R. R.

2010-12-01

Material irradiated by X-rays produces backscattered radiation which is commonly known as the Reflection Spectrum. It consists of a structured continuum, due at high energies to the competition between photoelectric absorption and electron scattering enhanced at low energies by emission from the material itself, together with a complex line spectrum. We briefly review the history of X-ray reflection in astronomy and discuss various methods for computing the reflection spectrum from cold and ionized gas, illustrated with results from our own work reflionx. We discuss how the reflection spectrum can be used to obtain the geometry of the accretion flow, particularly the inner regions around black holes and neutron stars.

X-ray filter for x-ray powder diffraction

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sinsheimer, John Jay; Conley, Raymond P.; Bouet, Nathalie C. D.

Technologies are described for apparatus, methods and systems effective for filtering. The filters may comprise a first plate. The first plate may include an x-ray absorbing material and walls defining first slits. The first slits may include arc shaped openings through the first plate. The walls of the first plate may be configured to absorb at least some of first x-rays when the first x-rays are incident on the x-ray absorbing material, and to output second x-rays. The filters may comprise a second plate spaced from the first plate. The second plate may include the x-ray absorbing material and wallsmore » defining second slits. The second slits may include arc shaped openings through the second plate. The walls of the second plate may be configured to absorb at least some of second x-rays and to output third x-rays.« less

A room temperature operating cryogenic cell for in vivo monitoring of dry snow metamorphism by X-ray microtomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Calonne, N.; Flin, F.; Lesaffre, B.; Dufour, A.; Roulle, J.; Puglièse, P.; Philip, A.; Lahoucine, F.; Rolland du Roscoat, S.; Geindreau, C.

2013-12-01

Three-dimensional (3D) images of snow offer the possibility of studying snow metamorphism at the grain scale by analysing the time evolution of its complex microstructure. Such images are also particularly useful for providing physical effective properties of snow arising in macroscopic models. In the last 15 years, several experiments have been developed in order to get 3D images of snow by X-ray microtomography. Up to now, two different approaches have been used: a static and an in vivo approach. The static method consists in imaging a snow sample whose structural evolution has been stopped by impregnation and/or very cold temperature conditions. The sample is placed in a cryogenic cell that can operate at the ambient temperature of the tomograph room (e.g. Brzoska et al., 1999, Coléou et al., 2001). The in vivo technique uses a non impregnated sample which continues to undergo structural evolutions and is put in a cell that controls the temperature conditions at the boundaries of the sample. This kind of cell requires a cold environnement and the whole tomographic acquisition process takes place in a cold room (e.g. Schneebeli and Sokratov, 2004, Pinzer and Schneebeli, 2009). The 2nd approach has the major advantage to provide the time evolution of the microstructure of a same snow sample but requires a dedicated cold-room tomographic scanner, whereas the static method can be used with any tomographic scanner operating at ambient conditions. We developed a new in vivo cryogenic cell which benefits from the advantages of each of the above methods: it (1) allows to follow the evolution of the same sample with time and (2) is usable with a wide panel of tomographic scanners provided with large cabin sizes, which has many advantages in terms of speed, resolution, and availability of new technologies. The thermal insulation between the snow sample and the outside is ensured by a double wall vacuum system of thermal conductivity of about 0.0015 Wm-1K-1. An air

Trends in micro- and nanoComputed Tomography 2008-2010

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stock, S. R.

2010-09-01

Trends in micro- and nanoComputed Tomography (CT) from January 2008 through July 2010 are the subject of this brief report which takes up where a previous report in Developments in X-ray Tomography VI (2008) concluded. First, the number of systems operating world-wide is estimated. The main focus is on what searches of three citation indices (Web of Science, Compendex and PubMed) reveal about the field of micro- and nanoCT. Given research-fielddependent and disparate terminology used by investigators, searches were on "microtomography", "microCT" and "synchrotron tomography".

Monte Carlo Simulation for Polychromatic X-Ray Fluorescence Computed Tomography with Sheet-Beam Geometry

PubMed Central

Jiang, Shanghai

2017-01-01

X-ray fluorescence computed tomography (XFCT) based on sheet beam can save a huge amount of time to obtain a whole set of projections using synchrotron. However, it is clearly unpractical for most biomedical research laboratories. In this paper, polychromatic X-ray fluorescence computed tomography with sheet-beam geometry is tested by Monte Carlo simulation. First, two phantoms (A and B) filled with PMMA are used to simulate imaging process through GEANT 4. Phantom A contains several GNP-loaded regions with the same size (10 mm) in height and diameter but different Au weight concentration ranging from 0.3% to 1.8%. Phantom B contains twelve GNP-loaded regions with the same Au weight concentration (1.6%) but different diameter ranging from 1 mm to 9 mm. Second, discretized presentation of imaging model is established to reconstruct more accurate XFCT images. Third, XFCT images of phantoms A and B are reconstructed by filter back-projection (FBP) and maximum likelihood expectation maximization (MLEM) with and without correction, respectively. Contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) is calculated to evaluate all the reconstructed images. Our results show that it is feasible for sheet-beam XFCT system based on polychromatic X-ray source and the discretized imaging model can be used to reconstruct more accurate images. PMID:28567054

Software/hardware optimization for attenuation-based microtomography using SR at PETRA III (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beckmann, Felix

2016-10-01

The Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Germany, is operating the user experiments for microtomography at the beamlines P05 and P07 using synchrotron radiation produced in the storage ring PETRA III at DESY, Hamburg, Germany. In recent years the software pipeline, sample changing hardware for performing high throughput experiments were developed. In this talk the current status of the beamlines will be given. Furthermore, optimisation and automatisation of scanning techniques, will be presented. These are required to scan samples which are larger than the field of view defined by the X-ray beam. The integration into an optimized reconstruction pipeline will be shown.

Hard X-ray submicrometer tomography of human brain tissue at Diamond Light Source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khimchenko, A.; Bikis, C.; Schulz, G.; Zdora, M.-C.; Zanette, I.; Vila-Comamala, J.; Schweighauser, G.; Hench, J.; Hieber, S. E.; Deyhle, H.; Thalmann, P.; Müller, B.

2017-06-01

There is a lack of the necessary methodology for three-dimensional (3D) investigation of soft tissues with cellular resolution without staining or tissue transformation. Synchrotron radiation based hard X-ray in-line phase contrast tomography using single-distance phase reconstruction (SDPR) provides high spatial resolution and density contrast for the visualization of individual cells using a standard specimen preparation and data reconstruction. In this study, we demonstrate the 3D characterization of a formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) human cerebellum specimen by SDPR at the Diamond-Manchester Imaging Branchline I13-2 (Diamond Light Source, UK) at pixel sizes down to 0.45 μm. The approach enables visualization of cerebellar layers (Stratum moleculare and Stratum granulosum), the 3D characterization of individual cells (Purkinje, stellate and granule cells) and can even resolve some subcellular structures (nucleus and nucleolus of Purkinje cells). The tomographic results are qualitatively compared to hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained histological sections. We demonstrate the potential benefits of hard X-ray microtomography for the investigations of biological tissues in comparison to conventional histology.

Identifying microbial habitats in soil using quantum dots and x-ray fluorescence microtomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

O'Brien, S. L.; Whiteside, M. D.; Sholto-Douglas, D.; Dohnalkova, A.; Durall, D. M.; Gursoy, D.; Jones, M. D.; Kovarik, L.; Lai, B.; Roehrig, C.; Sullivan, S.; Vogt, S.; Kemner, K. M.

2015-12-01

The metabolic activities of soil microbes are the primary drivers of biogeochemical processes controlling the terrestrial carbon cycle, nutrient availability to plants, contaminant remediation, water quality, and other ecosystem services. However, we have a limited understanding of microbial metabolic processes such as nutrient uptake rates, substrate preferences, or how microbes and microbial metabolism are distributed throughout the three-dimensional pore network of the soil. Here we use a novel combination of imaging techniques with quantum dots (QDs, engineered semiconductor nanoparticles that produce size or composition-dependent fluorescence) to locate bacteria in the three-dimensional pore network of a soil aggregate. First, we show using confocal and aberration-corrected transmission electron microscopies that bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Pseudomonas protogens) actively take up and internalize CdSe/ZnS core/shell QDs conjugated to biologically relevant substrates. Next, we show that cells bearing QDs can be identified using fluorescence imaging with hard x-rays at 2ID-D at the Advanced Photon Source (APS). Finally, we demonstrate that the Se constituent to the QDs can be used to label bacteria in three-dimensional tomographic reconstructions of natural soil at 0.5 nm spatial resolution using hard x-rays at 2ID-E at the APS. This is the first time soil bacteria have been imaged in the intact soil matrix at such high resolution. These results offer a new way to experimentally investigate basic bacterial ecology in situ, revealing constraints on microbial function in soil that will help improve connections between pore-scale and ecosystem-scale processes in models.

History of Chandra X-Ray Observatory

NASA Image and Video Library

1998-01-01

This is a computer rendering of the fully developed Chandra X-Ray Observatory (CXO), formerly Advanced X-Ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF). In 1999, the AXAF was renamed the CXO in honor of the late Indian-American Novel Laureate Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar. The CXO is the most sophisticated and the world's most powerful x-ray telescope ever built. It is designed to observe x-rays from high energy regions of the Universe, such as hot gas in the renmants of exploded stars. It produces picture-like images of x-ray emissions analogous to those made in visible light, as well as gathers data on the chemical composition of x-ray radiating objects. The CXO helps astronomers world-wide better understand the structure and evolution of the universe by studying powerful sources of x-ray such as exploding stars, matter falling into black holes, and other exotic celestial objects. The Observatory has three major parts: (1) the x-ray telescope, whose mirrors will focus x-rays from celestial objects; (2) the science instruments that record the x-rays so that x-ray images can be produced and analyzed; and (3) the spacecraft, which provides the environment necessary for the telescope and the instruments to work. TRW, Inc. was the prime contractor for the development of the CXO and NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center was responsible for its project management. The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory controls science and flight operations of the CXO for NASA from Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Observatory was launched July 22, 1999 aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia, STS-93 mission. (Image courtesy of TRW).

Non Destructive 3D X-Ray Imaging of Nano Structures & Composites at Sub-30 NM Resolution, With a Novel Lab Based X-Ray Microscope

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-11-01

NON DESTRUCTIVE 3D X-RAY IMAGING OF NANO STRUCTURES & COMPOSITES AT SUB-30 NM RESOLUTION, WITH A NOVEL LAB BASED X- RAY MICROSCOPE S H Lau...article we describe a 3D x-ray microscope based on a laboratory x-ray source operating at 2.7, 5.4 or 8.0 keV hard x-ray energies. X-ray computed...tomography (XCT) is used to obtain detailed 3D structural information inside optically opaque materials with sub-30 nm resolution. Applications include

Visualization and quantification of capillary drainage in the pore space of laminated sandstone by a porous plate method using differential imaging X-ray microtomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Qingyang; Bijeljic, Branko; Rieke, Holger; Blunt, Martin J.

2017-08-01

The experimental determination of capillary pressure drainage curves at the pore scale is of vital importance for the mapping of reservoir fluid distribution. To fully characterize capillary drainage in a complex pore space, we design a differential imaging-based porous plate (DIPP) method using X-ray microtomography. For an exemplar mm-scale laminated sandstone microcore with a porous plate, we quantify the displacement from resolvable macropores and subresolution micropores. Nitrogen (N2) was injected as the nonwetting phase at a constant pressure while the porous plate prevented its escape. The measured porosity and capillary pressure at the imaged saturations agree well with helium measurements and experiments on larger core samples, while providing a pore-scale explanation of the fluid distribution. We observed that the majority of the brine was displaced by N2 in macropores at low capillary pressures, followed by a further brine displacement in micropores when capillary pressure increases. Furthermore, we were able to discern that brine predominantly remained within the subresolution micropores, such as regions of fine lamination. The capillary pressure curve for pressures ranging from 0 to 1151 kPa is provided from the image analysis compares well with the conventional porous plate method for a cm-scale core but was conducted over a period of 10 days rather than up to few months with the conventional porous plate method. Overall, we demonstrate the capability of our method to provide quantitative information on two-phase saturation in heterogeneous core samples for a wide range of capillary pressures even at scales smaller than the micro-CT resolution.

The application of X-ray microtomography for the assessement of root resorption caused by the orthodontic treatment of premolars.

PubMed

Sawicka, Monika; Bedini, Rossella; Pecci, Raffaella; Pameijer, Cornelis Hans; Kmiec, Zbigniew

2012-01-01

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate potential application of micro-computed tomography in the morphometric analysis of the root resorption in extracted human first premolars subjected to the orthodontic force. In one patient treated in the orthodontic clinic two mandibular first premolars subjected to orthodontic force for 4 weeks and one control tooth were selected for micro-computed tomographic analysis. The hardware device used in this study was a desktop X-ray microfocus CT scanner (SkyScan 1072). The morphology of root's surfaces was assessed by TView and Computer Tomography Analyzer (CTAn) softwares (SkyScan, bvba) which allowed analysis of all microscans, identification of root resorption craters and measurement of their length, width and volume. Microscans showed in details the surface morphology of the investigated teeth. The analysis of microscans allowed to detect 3 root resorption cavities in each of the orthodontically moved tooth and only one resorption crater in the control tooth. The volumes of the resorption craters in orthodontically-treated teeth were much larger than in a control tooth. Micro-computed tomography is a reproducible technique for the three-dimensional non-invasive assessment of root's morphology ex vivo. TView and CTan softwares are useful in accurate morphometric measurements of root's resorption.

Monte Carlo simulation of x-ray buildup factors of lead and its applications in shielding of diagnostic x-ray facilities

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kharrati, Hedi; Agrebi, Amel; Karaoui, Mohamed-Karim

2007-04-15

X-ray buildup factors of lead in broad beam geometry for energies from 15 to 150 keV are determined using the general purpose Monte Carlo N-particle radiation transport computer code (MCNP4C). The obtained buildup factors data are fitted to a modified three parameter Archer et al. model for ease in calculating the broad beam transmission with computer at any tube potentials/filters combinations in diagnostic energies range. An example for their use to compute the broad beam transmission at 70, 100, 120, and 140 kVp is given. The calculated broad beam transmission is compared to data derived from literature, presenting good agreement.more » Therefore, the combination of the buildup factors data as determined and a mathematical model to generate x-ray spectra provide a computationally based solution to broad beam transmission for lead barriers in shielding x-ray facilities.« less

X-ray microtomography and laser ablation in the analysis of ink distribution in coated paper

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Myllys, M., E-mail: markko.myllys@jyu.fi; Häkkänen, H.; Korppi-Tommola, J.

A novel method was developed for studying the ink-paper interface and the structural variations of a deposited layer of ink. Combining high-resolution x-ray tomography with laser ablation, the depth profile of ink (toner), i.e., its varying thickness, could be determined in a paper substrate. X-ray tomography was used to produce the 3D structure of paper with about 1 μm spatial resolution. Laser ablation combined with optical imaging was used to produce the 3D structure of the printed layer of ink on top of that paper with about 70 nm depth resolution. Ablation depth was calibrated with an optical profilometer. It can bemore » concluded that a toner layer on a light-weight-coated paper substrate was strongly perturbed by protruding fibers of the base paper. Such fibers together with the surface topography of the base paper seem to be the major factors that control the leveling of toner and its penetration into a thinly coated paper substrate.« less

Cybersecurity, massive data processing, community interaction, and other developments at WWW-based computational X-ray Server

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stepanov, Sergey

2013-03-01

X-Ray Server (x-server.gmca.aps.anl.gov) is a WWW-based computational server for modeling of X-ray diffraction, reflection and scattering data. The modeling software operates directly on the server and can be accessed remotely either from web browsers or from user software. In the later case the server can be deployed as a software library or a data fitting engine. As the server recently surpassed the milestones of 15 years online and 1.5 million calculations, it accumulated a number of technical solutions that are discussed in this paper. The developed approaches to detecting physical model limits and user calculations failures, solutions to spam and firewall problems, ways to involve the community in replenishing databases and methods to teach users automated access to the server programs may be helpful for X-ray researchers interested in using the server or sharing their own software online.

A computationally inexpensive model for estimating dimensional measurement uncertainty due to x-ray computed tomography instrument misalignments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ametova, Evelina; Ferrucci, Massimiliano; Chilingaryan, Suren; Dewulf, Wim

2018-06-01

The recent emergence of advanced manufacturing techniques such as additive manufacturing and an increased demand on the integrity of components have motivated research on the application of x-ray computed tomography (CT) for dimensional quality control. While CT has shown significant empirical potential for this purpose, there is a need for metrological research to accelerate the acceptance of CT as a measuring instrument. The accuracy in CT-based measurements is vulnerable to the instrument geometrical configuration during data acquisition, namely the relative position and orientation of x-ray source, rotation stage, and detector. Consistency between the actual instrument geometry and the corresponding parameters used in the reconstruction algorithm is critical. Currently available procedures provide users with only estimates of geometrical parameters. Quantification and propagation of uncertainty in the measured geometrical parameters must be considered to provide a complete uncertainty analysis and to establish confidence intervals for CT dimensional measurements. In this paper, we propose a computationally inexpensive model to approximate the influence of errors in CT geometrical parameters on dimensional measurement results. We use surface points extracted from a computer-aided design (CAD) model to model discrepancies in the radiographic image coordinates assigned to the projected edges between an aligned system and a system with misalignments. The efficacy of the proposed method was confirmed on simulated and experimental data in the presence of various geometrical uncertainty contributors.

Inside marginal adaptation of crowns by X-ray micro-computed tomography

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dos Santos, T. M.; Lima, I.; Lopes, R. T.

The objective of this work was to access dental arcade by using X-ray micro-computed tomography. For this purpose high resolution system was used and three groups were studied: Zirkonzahn CAD-CAM system, IPS e.max Press, and metal ceramic. The three systems assessed in this study showed results of marginal and discrepancy gaps clinically accepted. The great result of 2D and 3D evaluations showed that the used technique is a powerful method to investigate quantitative characteristics of dental arcade. (authors)

Synchrotron radiation X-ray microtomography and histomorphometry for evaluation of chemotherapy effects in trabecular bone structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alessio, R.; Nogueira, L. P.; Almeida, A. P.; Colaço, M. V.; Braz, D.; Andrade, C. B. V.; Salata, C.; Ferreira-Machado, S. C.; de Almeida, C. E.; Tromba, G.; Barroso, R. C.

2014-04-01

Three-dimensional microtomography has the potential to examine complete bones of small laboratory animals with very high resolution in a non-invasive way. One of the side effects caused by some chemotherapy drugs is the induction of amenorrhea, temporary or not, in premenopausal women, with a consequent decrease in estrogen production, which can lead to bone changes. In the present work, the femur heads of rats treated with chemotherapy drugs were evaluated by 3D histomorphometry using synchrotron radiation microcomputed tomography. Control animals were also evaluated for comparison. The 3D tomographic images were obtained at the SYRMEP (SYnchrotron Radiation for MEdical Physics) beamline at the Elettra Synchrotron Laboratory in Trieste, Italy. Results showed significant differences in morphometric parameters measured from the 3D images of femur heads of rats in both analyzed groups.

Technical Note: spektr 3.0—A computational tool for x-ray spectrum modeling and analysis

PubMed Central

Punnoose, J.; Xu, J.; Sisniega, A.; Zbijewski, W.; Siewerdsen, J. H.

2016-01-01

Purpose: A computational toolkit (spektr 3.0) has been developed to calculate x-ray spectra based on the tungsten anode spectral model using interpolating cubic splines (TASMICS) algorithm, updating previous work based on the tungsten anode spectral model using interpolating polynomials (TASMIP) spectral model. The toolkit includes a matlab (The Mathworks, Natick, MA) function library and improved user interface (UI) along with an optimization algorithm to match calculated beam quality with measurements. Methods: The spektr code generates x-ray spectra (photons/mm2/mAs at 100 cm from the source) using TASMICS as default (with TASMIP as an option) in 1 keV energy bins over beam energies 20–150 kV, extensible to 640 kV using the TASMICS spectra. An optimization tool was implemented to compute the added filtration (Al and W) that provides a best match between calculated and measured x-ray tube output (mGy/mAs or mR/mAs) for individual x-ray tubes that may differ from that assumed in TASMICS or TASMIP and to account for factors such as anode angle. Results: The median percent difference in photon counts for a TASMICS and TASMIP spectrum was 4.15% for tube potentials in the range 30–140 kV with the largest percentage difference arising in the low and high energy bins due to measurement errors in the empirically based TASMIP model and inaccurate polynomial fitting. The optimization tool reported a close agreement between measured and calculated spectra with a Pearson coefficient of 0.98. Conclusions: The computational toolkit, spektr, has been updated to version 3.0, validated against measurements and existing models, and made available as open source code. Video tutorials for the spektr function library, UI, and optimization tool are available. PMID:27487888

Technical Note: SPEKTR 3.0—A computational tool for x-ray spectrum modeling and analysis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Punnoose, J.; Xu, J.; Sisniega, A.

2016-08-15

Purpose: A computational toolkit (SPEKTR 3.0) has been developed to calculate x-ray spectra based on the tungsten anode spectral model using interpolating cubic splines (TASMICS) algorithm, updating previous work based on the tungsten anode spectral model using interpolating polynomials (TASMIP) spectral model. The toolkit includes a MATLAB (The Mathworks, Natick, MA) function library and improved user interface (UI) along with an optimization algorithm to match calculated beam quality with measurements. Methods: The SPEKTR code generates x-ray spectra (photons/mm{sup 2}/mAs at 100 cm from the source) using TASMICS as default (with TASMIP as an option) in 1 keV energy bins overmore » beam energies 20–150 kV, extensible to 640 kV using the TASMICS spectra. An optimization tool was implemented to compute the added filtration (Al and W) that provides a best match between calculated and measured x-ray tube output (mGy/mAs or mR/mAs) for individual x-ray tubes that may differ from that assumed in TASMICS or TASMIP and to account for factors such as anode angle. Results: The median percent difference in photon counts for a TASMICS and TASMIP spectrum was 4.15% for tube potentials in the range 30–140 kV with the largest percentage difference arising in the low and high energy bins due to measurement errors in the empirically based TASMIP model and inaccurate polynomial fitting. The optimization tool reported a close agreement between measured and calculated spectra with a Pearson coefficient of 0.98. Conclusions: The computational toolkit, SPEKTR, has been updated to version 3.0, validated against measurements and existing models, and made available as open source code. Video tutorials for the SPEKTR function library, UI, and optimization tool are available.« less

Industrial applications of automated X-ray inspection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shashishekhar, N.

2015-03-01

Many industries require that 100% of manufactured parts be X-ray inspected. Factors such as high production rates, focus on inspection quality, operator fatigue and inspection cost reduction translate to an increasing need for automating the inspection process. Automated X-ray inspection involves the use of image processing algorithms and computer software for analysis and interpretation of X-ray images. This paper presents industrial applications and illustrative case studies of automated X-ray inspection in areas such as automotive castings, fuel plates, air-bag inflators and tires. It is usually necessary to employ application-specific automated inspection strategies and techniques, since each application has unique characteristics and interpretation requirements.

Unwrapping an Ancient Egyptian Mummy Using X-Rays

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hughes, Stephen W.

2010-01-01

This article describes a project of unwrapping an ancient Egyptian mummy using x-ray computed tomography (CT). About 600 x-ray CT images were obtained through the mummified body of a female named Tjetmutjengebtiu (or Jeni for short), who was a singer in the great temple of Karnak in Egypt during the 22nd dynasty (c 945-715 BC). The x-ray CT images…

Visualization of subcutaneous insulin injections by x-ray computed tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thomsen, M.; Poulsen, M.; Bech, M.; Velroyen, A.; Herzen, J.; Beckmann, F.; Feidenhans'l, R.; Pfeiffer, F.

2012-11-01

We report how the three-dimensional structure of subcutaneous injections of soluble insulin can be visualized by x-ray computed tomography using an iodine based contrast agent. The injections investigated are performed ex vivo in porcine adipose tissue. Full tomography scans carried out at a laboratory x-ray source with a total acquisition time of about 1 min yield CT-images with an effective pixel size of 109 × 109 μm2. The depots are segmented using a modified Chan-Vese algorithm and we are able to observe differences in the shape of the injection depot and the position of the depot in the skin among equally performed injections. To overcome the beam hardening artefacts, which affect the quantitative prediction of the volume injected, we additionally present results concerning the visualization of two injections using synchrotron radiation. The spatial concentration distribution of iodine is calculated to show the dilution of the insulin drug inside the depot. Characterisation of the shape of the depot and the spatial concentration profile of the injected fluid is important knowledge when improving the clinical formulation of an insulin drug, the performance of injection devices and when predicting the effect of the drug through biomedical simulations.

History of Chandra X-Ray Observatory

NASA Image and Video Library

1999-01-01

This is a computer rendering of the fully developed Chandra X-ray Observatory (CXO), formerly Advanced X-Ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF), in orbit in a star field. In 1999, the AXAF was renamed the CXO in honor of the late Indian-American Novel Laureate Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar. The CXO is the most sophisticated and the world's most powerful x-ray telescope ever built. It is designed to observe x-rays from high energy regions of the Universe, such as hot gas in the renmants of exploded stars. It produces picture-like images of x-ray emissions analogous to those made in visible light, as well as gathers data on the chemical composition of x-ray radiating objects. The CXO helps astronomers world-wide better understand the structure and evolution of the universe by studying powerful sources of x-rays such as exploding stars, matter falling into black holes, and other exotic celestial objects. The Observatory has three major parts: (1) the x-ray telescope, whose mirrors will focus x-rays from celestial objects; (2) the science instruments that record the x-rays so that x-ray images can be produced and analyzed; and (3) the spacecraft, which provides the environment necessary for the telescope and the instruments to work. TRW, Inc. was the prime contractor for the development of the CXO and NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center was responsible for its project management. The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory controls science and flight operations of the CXO for NASA from Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Observatory was launched July 22, 1999 aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia, STS-93 mission. (Image courtesy of TRW).

Computer simulation of the CSPAD, ePix10k, and RayonixMX170HS X-ray detectors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tina, Adrienne

2015-08-21

The invention of free-electron lasers (FELs) has opened a door to an entirely new level of scientific research. The Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is an X-ray FEL that houses several instruments, each with its own unique X-ray applications. This light source is revolutionary in that while its properties allow for a whole new range of scientific opportunities, it also poses numerous challenges. For example, the intensity of a focused X-ray beam is enough to damage a sample in one mere pulse; however, the pulse speed and extreme brightness of the source together are enoughmore » to obtain enough information about that sample, so that no further measurements are necessary. An important device in the radiation detection process, particularly for X-ray imaging, is the detector. The power of the LCLS X-rays has instigated a need for better performing detectors. The research conducted for this project consisted of the study of X-ray detectors to imitate their behaviors in a computer program. The analysis of the Rayonix MX170-HS, CSPAD, and ePix10k in particular helped to understand their properties. This program simulated the interaction of X-ray photons with these detectors to discern the patterns of their responses. A scientist’s selection process of a detector for a specific experiment is simplified from the characterization of the detectors in the program.« less

Metal artifact removal (MAR) analysis for the security inspections using the X-ray computed tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cho, Hyo Sung; Woo, Tae Ho; Park, Chul Kyu

2016-10-01

Using the metal artifact property, it is analyzed for the X-ray computed tomography (CT) in the aspect of the security on the examined places like airport and surveillance areas. Since the importance of terror prevention strategy has been increased, the security application of X-ray CT has the significant remark. One shot X-ray image has the limitation to find out the exact shape to property in the closed box, which could be solved by the CT scanning without the tearing off the box in this work. Cleaner images can be obtained by the advanced technology if the CT scanning is utilized in the security purposes on the secured areas. A metal sample is treated by the metal artifact removal (MAR) method for the enhanced image. The mimicked explosive is experimented for the imaging processing application where the cleaner one is obtained. The procedure is explained and the further study is discussed.

Recent advances in quantitative analysis of fluid interfaces in multiphase fluid flow measured by synchrotron-based x-ray microtomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schlueter, S.; Sheppard, A.; Wildenschild, D.

2013-12-01

Imaging of fluid interfaces in three-dimensional porous media via x-ray microtomography is an efficient means to test thermodynamically derived predictions on the relationship between capillary pressure, fluid saturation and specific interfacial area (Pc-Sw-Anw) in partially saturated porous media. Various experimental studies exist to date that validate the uniqueness of the Pc-Sw-Anw relationship under static conditions and with current technological progress direct imaging of moving interfaces under dynamic conditions is also becoming available. Image acquisition and subsequent image processing currently involves many steps each prone to operator bias, like merging different scans of the same sample obtained at different beam energies into a single image or the generation of isosurfaces from the segmented multiphase image on which the interface properties are usually calculated. We demonstrate that with recent advancements in (i) image enhancement methods, (ii) multiphase segmentation methods and (iii) methods of structural analysis we can considerably decrease the time and cost of image acquisition and the uncertainty associated with the measurement of interfacial properties. In particular, we highlight three notorious problems in multiphase image processing and provide efficient solutions for each: (i) Due to noise, partial volume effects, and imbalanced volume fractions, automated histogram-based threshold detection methods frequently fail. However, these impairments can be mitigated with modern denoising methods, special treatment of gray value edges and adaptive histogram equilization, such that most of the standard methods for threshold detection (Otsu, fuzzy c-means, minimum error, maximum entropy) coincide at the same set of values. (ii) Partial volume effects due to blur may produce apparent water films around solid surfaces that alter the specific fluid-fluid interfacial area (Anw) considerably. In a synthetic test image some local segmentation methods

Sensitivity of photon-counting based K-edge imaging in X-ray computed tomography.

PubMed

Roessl, Ewald; Brendel, Bernhard; Engel, Klaus-Jürgen; Schlomka, Jens-Peter; Thran, Axel; Proksa, Roland

2011-09-01

The feasibility of K-edge imaging using energy-resolved, photon-counting transmission measurements in X-ray computed tomography (CT) has been demonstrated by simulations and experiments. The method is based on probing the discontinuities of the attenuation coefficient of heavy elements above and below the K-edge energy by using energy-sensitive, photon counting X-ray detectors. In this paper, we investigate the dependence of the sensitivity of K-edge imaging on the atomic number Z of the contrast material, on the object diameter D , on the spectral response of the X-ray detector and on the X-ray tube voltage. We assume a photon-counting detector equipped with six adjustable energy thresholds. Physical effects leading to a degradation of the energy resolution of the detector are taken into account using the concept of a spectral response function R(E,U) for which we assume four different models. As a validation of our analytical considerations and in order to investigate the influence of elliptically shaped phantoms, we provide CT simulations of an anthropomorphic Forbild-Abdomen phantom containing a gold-contrast agent. The dependence on the values of the energy thresholds is taken into account by optimizing the achievable signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) with respect to the threshold values. We find that for a given X-ray spectrum and object size the SNR in the heavy element's basis material image peaks for a certain atomic number Z. The dependence of the SNR in the high- Z basis-material image on the object diameter is the natural, exponential decrease with particularly deteriorating effects in the case where the attenuation from the object itself causes a total signal loss below the K-edge. The influence of the energy-response of the detector is very important. We observed that the optimal SNR values obtained with an ideal detector and with a CdTe pixel detector whose response, showing significant tailing, has been determined at a synchrotron differ by factors of

A multiresolution approach to iterative reconstruction algorithms in X-ray computed tomography.

PubMed

De Witte, Yoni; Vlassenbroeck, Jelle; Van Hoorebeke, Luc

2010-09-01

In computed tomography, the application of iterative reconstruction methods in practical situations is impeded by their high computational demands. Especially in high resolution X-ray computed tomography, where reconstruction volumes contain a high number of volume elements (several giga voxels), this computational burden prevents their actual breakthrough. Besides the large amount of calculations, iterative algorithms require the entire volume to be kept in memory during reconstruction, which quickly becomes cumbersome for large data sets. To overcome this obstacle, we present a novel multiresolution reconstruction, which greatly reduces the required amount of memory without significantly affecting the reconstructed image quality. It is shown that, combined with an efficient implementation on a graphical processing unit, the multiresolution approach enables the application of iterative algorithms in the reconstruction of large volumes at an acceptable speed using only limited resources.

A multi-scale Lattice Boltzmann model for simulating solute transport in 3D X-ray micro-tomography images of aggregated porous materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Xiaoxian; Crawford, John W.; Flavel, Richard J.; Young, Iain M.

2016-10-01

The Lattice Boltzmann (LB) model and X-ray computed tomography (CT) have been increasingly used in combination over the past decade to simulate water flow and chemical transport at pore scale in porous materials. Because of its limitation in resolution and the hierarchical structure of most natural soils, the X-ray CT tomography can only identify pores that are greater than its resolution and treats other pores as solid. As a result, the so-called solid phase in X-ray images may in reality be a grey phase, containing substantial connected pores capable of conducing fluids and solute. Although modified LB models have been developed to simulate fluid flow in such media, models for solute transport are relatively limited. In this paper, we propose a LB model for simulating solute transport in binary soil images containing permeable solid phase. The model is based on the single-relaxation time approach and uses a modified partial bounce-back method to describe the resistance caused by the permeable solid phase to chemical transport. We derive the relationship between the diffusion coefficient and the parameter introduced in the partial bounce-back method, and test the model against analytical solution for movement of a pulse of tracer. We also validate it against classical finite volume method for solute diffusion in a simple 2D image, and then apply the model to a soil image acquired using X-ray tomography at resolution of 30 μm in attempts to analyse how the ability of the solid phase to diffuse solute at micron-scale affects the behaviour of the solute at macro-scale after a volumetric average. Based on the simulated results, we discuss briefly the danger in interpreting experimental results using the continuum model without fully understanding the pore-scale processes, as well as the potential of using pore-scale modelling and tomography to help improve the continuum models.

High-throughput, high-resolution X-ray phase contrast tomographic microscopy for visualisation of soft tissue

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McDonald, S. A.; Marone, F.; Hintermüller, C.; Bensadoun, J.-C.; Aebischer, P.; Stampanoni, M.

2009-09-01

The use of conventional absorption based X-ray microtomography can become limited for samples showing only very weak absorption contrast. However, a wide range of samples studied in biology and materials science can produce significant phase shifts of the X-ray beam, and thus the use of the phase signal can provide substantially increased contrast and therefore new and otherwise inaccessible information. The application of two approaches for high-throughput, high-resolution X-ray phase contrast tomography, both available on the TOMCAT beamline of the SLS, is illustrated. Differential Phase Contrast (DPC) imaging uses a grating interferometer and a phase-stepping technique. It has been integrated into the beamline environment on TOMCAT in terms of the fast acquisition and reconstruction of data and the availability to scan samples within an aqueous environment. The second phase contrast approach is a modified transfer of intensity approach that can yield the 3D distribution of the phase (refractive index) of a weakly absorbing object from a single tomographic dataset. These methods are being used for the evaluation of cell integrity in 3D, with the specific aim of following and analyzing progressive cell degeneration to increase knowledge of the mechanistic events of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease.

Evaluation of sample holders designed for long-lasting X-ray micro-tomographic scans of ex-vivo soft tissue samples

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dudak, J.; Zemlicka, J.; Krejci, F.; Karch, J.; Patzelt, M.; Zach, P.; Sykora, V.; Mrzilkova, J.

2016-03-01

X-ray microradiography and microtomography are imaging techniques with increasing applicability in the field of biomedical and preclinical research. Application of hybrid pixel detector Timepix enables to obtain very high contrast of low attenuating materials such as soft biological tissue. However X-ray imaging of ex-vivo soft tissue samples is a difficult task due to its structural instability. Ex-vivo biological tissue is prone to fast drying-out which is connected with undesired changes of sample size and shape producing later on artefacts within the tomographic reconstruction. In this work we present the optimization of our Timepix equipped micro-CT system aiming to maintain soft tissue sample in stable condition. Thanks to the suggested approach higher contrast of tomographic reconstructions can be achieved while also large samples that require detector scanning can be easily measured.

Catalysts at work: From integral to spatially resolved X-ray absorption spectroscopy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Grunwaldt, Jan-Dierk; Kimmerle, Bertram; Baiker, Alfons

2009-09-25

Spectroscopic studies on heterogeneous catalysts have mostly been done in an integral mode. However, in many cases spatial variations in catalyst structure can occur, e.g. during impregnation of pre-shaped particles, during reaction in a catalytic reactor, or in microstructured reactors as the present overview shows. Therefore, spatially resolved molecular information on a microscale is required for a comprehensive understanding of theses systems, partly in ex situ studies, partly under stationary reaction conditions and in some cases even under dynamic reaction conditions. Among the different available techniques, X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) is a well-suited tool for this purpose as the differentmore » selected examples highlight. Two different techniques, scanning and full-field X-ray microscopy/tomography, are described and compared. At first, the tomographic structure of impregnated alumina pellets is presented using full-field transmission microtomography and compared to the results obtained with a scanning X-ray microbeam technique to analyse the catalyst bed inside a catalytic quartz glass reactor. On the other hand, by using XAS in scanning microtomography, the structure and the distribution of Cu(0), Cu(I), Cu(II) species in a Cu/ZnO catalyst loaded in a quartz capillary microreactor could be reconstructed quantitatively on a virtual section through the reactor. An illustrating example for spatially resolved XAS under reaction conditions is the partial oxidation of methane over noble metal-based catalysts. In order to obtain spectroscopic information on the spatial variation of the oxidation state of the catalyst inside the reactor XAS spectra were recorded by scanning with a micro-focussed beam along the catalyst bed. Alternatively, full-field transmission imaging was used to efficiently determine the distribution of the oxidation state of a catalyst inside a reactor under reaction conditions. The new technical approaches together with

Ray tracing method for the evaluation of grazing incidence x-ray telescopes described by spatially sampled surfaces.

PubMed

Yu, Jun; Shen, Zhengxiang; Sheng, Pengfeng; Wang, Xiaoqiang; Hailey, Charles J; Wang, Zhanshan

2018-03-01

The nested grazing incidence telescope can achieve a large collecting area in x-ray astronomy, with a large number of closely packed, thin conical mirrors. Exploiting the surface metrological data, the ray tracing method used to reconstruct the shell surface topography and evaluate the imaging performance is a powerful tool to assist iterative improvement in the fabrication process. However, current two-dimensional (2D) ray tracing codes, especially when utilized with densely sampled surface shape data, may not provide sufficient accuracy of reconstruction and are computationally cumbersome. In particular, 2D ray tracing currently employed considers coplanar rays and thus simulates only these rays along the meridional plane. This captures axial figure errors but leaves other important errors, such as roundness errors, unaccounted for. We introduce a semianalytic, three-dimensional (3D) ray tracing approach for x-ray optics that overcomes these shortcomings. And the present method is both computationally fast and accurate. We first introduce the principles and the computational details of this 3D ray tracing method. Then the computer simulations of this approach compared to 2D ray tracing are demonstrated, using an ideal conic Wolter-I telescope for benchmarking. Finally, the present 3D ray tracing is used to evaluate the performance of a prototype x-ray telescope fabricated for the enhanced x-ray timing and polarization mission.

Comparison of lens- and fiber-coupled CCD detectors for X-ray computed tomography

PubMed Central

Uesugi, K.; Hoshino, M.; Yagi, N.

2011-01-01

X-ray imaging detectors with an identical phosphor and a CCD chip but employing lens- and fiber-coupling between them have been compared. These are designed for X-ray imaging experiments, especially computed tomography, at the medium-length beamline at the SPring-8 synchrotron radiation facility. It was found that the transmittance of light to the CCD is about four times higher in the fiber-coupled detector. The uniformity of response in the lens-coupled detector has a global shading of up to 40%, while pixel-to-pixel variation owing to a chicken-wire pattern was dominant in the fiber-coupled detector. Apart from the higher transmittance, the fiber-coupled detector has a few characteristics that require attention when it is used for computed tomography, which are browning of the fiber, discontinuity in the image, image distortion, and dark spots in the chicken-wire pattern. Thus, it is most suitable for high-speed tomography of samples that tend to deform, for example biological and soft materials. PMID:21335908

Evaluation of size, morphology, concentration, and surface effect of gold nanoparticles on X-ray attenuation in computed tomography.

PubMed

Khademi, Sara; Sarkar, Saeed; Kharrazi, Sharmin; Amini, Seyed Mohammad; Shakeri-Zadeh, Ali; Ay, Mohammad Reza; Ghadiri, Hossein

2018-01-01

Increasing attention has been focused on the use of nanostructures as contrast enhancement agents in medical imaging, especially in computed tomography (CT). To date, gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have been demonstrated to have great potential as contrast agents for CT imaging. This study was designed to evaluate any effect on X-ray attenuation that might result from employing GNPs with a variety of shapes, sizes, surface chemistries, and concentrations. Gold nanorods (GNRs) and spherical GNPs were synthesized for this application. X-ray attenuation was quantified by Hounsfield unit (HU) in CT. Our findings indicated that smaller spherical GNPs (13 nm) had higher X-ray attenuation than larger ones (60 nm) and GNRs with larger aspect ratio exhibited great effect on X-ray attenuation. Moreover, poly ethylene glycol (PEG) coating on GNRs declined X-ray attenuation as a result of limiting the aggregation of GNRs. We observed X-ray attenuation increased when mass concentration of GNPs was elevated. Overall, smaller spherical GNPs can be suggested as a better alternative to Omnipaque, a good contrast agent for CT imaging. This data can be also considered for the application of gold nanostructures in radiation dose enhancement where nanoparticles with high X-ray attenuation are applied. Copyright © 2017 Associazione Italiana di Fisica Medica. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Planetesimal core formation with partial silicate melting using in-situ high P, high T, deformation x-ray microtomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anzures, B. A.; Watson, H. C.; Yu, T.; Wang, Y.

2017-12-01

Differentiation is a defining moment in formation of terrestrial planets and asteroids. Smaller planetesimals likely didn't reach high enough temperatures for widescale melting. However, we infer that core formation must have occurred within a few million years from Hf-W dating. In lieu of a global magma ocean, planetesimals likely formed through inefficient percolation. Here, we used in-situ high temperature, high pressure, x-ray microtomography to track the 3-D evolution of the sample at mantle conditions as it underwent shear deformation. Lattice-Boltzmann simulations for permeability were used to characterize the efficiency of melt percolation. Mixtures of KLB1 peridotite plus 6.0 to 12.0 vol% FeS were pre-sintered to achieve an initial equilibrium microstructure, and then imaged through several consecutive cycles of heating and deformation. The maximum calculated melt segregation velocity was found to be 0.37 cm/yr for 6 vol.% FeS and 0.61 cm/year for 12 vol.% FeS, both below the minimum velocity of 3.3 cm/year required for a 100km planetesimal to fully differentiate within 3 million years. However, permeability is also a function of grain size and thus the samples having smaller grains than predicted for small planetesimals could have contributed to low permeability and also low migration velocity. The two-phase (sulfide melt and silicate melt) flow at higher melt fractions (6 vol.% and 12 vol.% FeS) was an extension of a similar study1 containing only sulfide melt at lower melt fraction (4.5 vol.% FeS). Contrary to the previous study, deformation did result in increased permeability until the sample was sheared by twisting the opposing Drickamer anvils by 360 degrees. Also, the presence of silicate melt caused the FeS melt to coalesce into less connected pathways as the experiment with 6 vol.% FeS was found to be less permeable than the one with 4.5 vol.% FeS but without any partial melt. The preliminary data from this study suggests that impacts as well as

The feasibility study on 3-dimensional fluorescent x-ray computed tomography using the pinhole effect for biomedical applications.

PubMed

Sunaguchi, Naoki; Yuasa, Tetsuya; Hyodo, Kazuyuki; Zeniya, Tsutomu

2013-01-01

We propose a 3-dimensional fluorescent x-ray computed tomography (CT) pinhole collimator, aimed at providing molecular imaging with quantifiable measures and sub-millimeter spatial resolution. In this study, we demonstrate the feasibility of this concept and investigate imaging properties such as spatial resolution, contrast resolution and quantifiable measures, by imaging physical phantoms using a preliminary imaging system developed with monochromatic synchrotron x rays constructed at the BLNE-7A experimental line at KEK, Japan.

Homogenization of sample absorption for the imaging of large and dense fossils with synchrotron microtomography.

PubMed

Sanchez, Sophie; Fernandez, Vincent; Pierce, Stephanie E; Tafforeau, Paul

2013-09-01

Propagation phase-contrast synchrotron radiation microtomography (PPC-SRμCT) has proved to be very successful for examining fossils. Because fossils range widely in taphonomic preservation, size, shape and density, X-ray computed tomography protocols are constantly being developed and refined. Here we present a 1-h procedure that combines a filtered high-energy polychromatic beam with long-distance PPC-SRμCT (sample to detector: 4-16 m) and an attenuation protocol normalizing the absorption profile (tested on 13-cm-thick and 5.242 g cm(-3) locally dense samples but applicable to 20-cm-thick samples). This approach provides high-quality imaging results, which show marked improvement relative to results from images obtained without the attenuation protocol in apparent transmission, contrast and signal-to-noise ratio. The attenuation protocol involves immersing samples in a tube filled with aluminum or glass balls in association with a U-shaped aluminum profiler. This technique therefore provides access to a larger dynamic range of the detector used for tomographic reconstruction. This protocol homogenizes beam-hardening artifacts, thereby rendering it effective for use with conventional μCT scanners.

On the possibilities of polychromatic synchrotron radiation microtomography for visualization of internal structures of Rhodnius prolixus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sena, G.; Almeida, A. P.; Braz, D.; Nogueira, L. P.; Soares, J.; Azambuja, P.; Gonzalez, M. S.; Tromba, G.; Barroso, R. C.

2015-10-01

The recent years advancements in microtomography have increased the achievable resolution and contrast, making this relatively inexpensive and a widely available technology, potentially useful for studies of insect's internal morphology. Phase Contrast X-Ray Synchrotron Microtomography (SR-PhC-μCT) is a non-destructive technique that allows the microanatomical investigations of Rhodnius prolixus, one of the most important insect vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of Chagas' disease. In Latin America, vector control is the most useful method to prevent Chagas' disease, and a detailed knowledge of R. prolixus' interior structures is crucial for a better understanding of their function and evolution. Traditionally, in both biological morphology and anatomy, the internal structures of whole organisms or parts of them are accessed by dissecting or histological serial sectioning; so studying the internal structures of R. prolixus' head using SR-PhC-μCT is of great importance in researches on vector control. In this work, volume-rendered SR-PhC-μCT images of the heads of selected R. prolixus were obtained using the new set-up available at the SYRMEP beamline of ELETTRA (Trieste, Italy). In this new set-up, the outcoming beam from the ring is restrained before the monochromator and in a devoted end-station, absorption and phase contrast radiography and tomography set-up are available. The images obtained with polychromatic X-ray beam in phase contrast regimen and 2 μm resolution, showed details and organs of R. prolixus never seen before with SR-PhC-μCT.

Physics and Computational Methods for X-ray Scatter Estimation and Correction in Cone-Beam Computed Tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bootsma, Gregory J.

X-ray scatter in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is known to reduce image quality by introducing image artifacts, reducing contrast, and limiting computed tomography (CT) number accuracy. The extent of the effect of x-ray scatter on CBCT image quality is determined by the shape and magnitude of the scatter distribution in the projections. A method to allay the effects of scatter is imperative to enable application of CBCT to solve a wider domain of clinical problems. The work contained herein proposes such a method. A characterization of the scatter distribution through the use of a validated Monte Carlo (MC) model is carried out. The effects of imaging parameters and compensators on the scatter distribution are investigated. The spectral frequency components of the scatter distribution in CBCT projection sets are analyzed using Fourier analysis and found to reside predominately in the low frequency domain. The exact frequency extents of the scatter distribution are explored for different imaging configurations and patient geometries. Based on the Fourier analysis it is hypothesized the scatter distribution can be represented by a finite sum of sine and cosine functions. The fitting of MC scatter distribution estimates enables the reduction of the MC computation time by diminishing the number of photon tracks required by over three orders of magnitude. The fitting method is incorporated into a novel scatter correction method using an algorithm that simultaneously combines multiple MC scatter simulations. Running concurrent MC simulations while simultaneously fitting the results allows for the physical accuracy and flexibility of MC methods to be maintained while enhancing the overall efficiency. CBCT projection set scatter estimates, using the algorithm, are computed on the order of 1--2 minutes instead of hours or days. Resulting scatter corrected reconstructions show a reduction in artifacts and improvement in tissue contrast and voxel value accuracy.

Propagation-based phase-contrast x-ray tomography of cochlea using a compact synchrotron source.

PubMed

Töpperwien, Mareike; Gradl, Regine; Keppeler, Daniel; Vassholz, Malte; Meyer, Alexander; Hessler, Roland; Achterhold, Klaus; Gleich, Bernhard; Dierolf, Martin; Pfeiffer, Franz; Moser, Tobias; Salditt, Tim

2018-03-21

We demonstrate that phase retrieval and tomographic imaging at the organ level of small animals can be advantageously carried out using the monochromatic radiation emitted by a compact x-ray light source, without further optical elements apart from source and detector. This approach allows to carry out microtomography experiments which - due to the large performance gap with respect to conventional laboratory instruments - so far were usually limited to synchrotron sources. We demonstrate the potential by mapping the functional soft tissue within the guinea pig and marmoset cochlea, including in the latter case an electrical cochlear implant. We show how 3d microanatomical studies without dissection or microscopic imaging can enhance future research on cochlear implants.

FPGA-Based X-Ray Detection and Measurement for an X-Ray Polarimeter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gregory, Kyle; Hill, Joanne; Black, Kevin; Baumgartner, Wayne

2013-01-01

This technology enables detection and measurement of x-rays in an x-ray polarimeter using a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The technology was developed for the Gravitational and Extreme Magnetism Small Explorer (GEMS) mission. It performs precision energy and timing measurements, as well as rejection of non-x-ray events. It enables the GEMS polarimeter to detect precisely when an event has taken place so that additional measurements can be made. The technology also enables this function to be performed in an FPGA using limited resources so that mass and power can be minimized while reliability for a space application is maximized and precise real-time operation is achieved. This design requires a low-noise, charge-sensitive preamplifier; a highspeed analog to digital converter (ADC); and an x-ray detector with a cathode terminal. It functions by computing a sum of differences for time-samples whose difference exceeds a programmable threshold. A state machine advances through states as a programmable number of consecutive samples exceeds or fails to exceed this threshold. The pulse height is recorded as the accumulated sum. The track length is also measured based on the time from the start to the end of accumulation. For track lengths longer than a certain length, the algorithm estimates the barycenter of charge deposit by comparing the accumulator value at the midpoint to the final accumulator value. The design also employs a number of techniques for rejecting background events. This innovation enables the function to be performed in space where it can operate autonomously with a rapid response time. This implementation combines advantages of computing system-based approaches with those of pure analog approaches. The result is an implementation that is highly reliable, performs in real-time, rejects background events, and consumes minimal power.

Accuracy of remote chest X-ray interpretation using Google Glass technology.

PubMed

Spaedy, Emily; Christakopoulos, Georgios E; Tarar, Muhammad Nauman J; Christopoulos, Georgios; Rangan, Bavana V; Roesle, Michele; Ochoa, Cristhiaan D; Yarbrough, William; Banerjee, Subhash; Brilakis, Emmanouil S

2016-09-15

We sought to explore the accuracy of remote chest X-ray reading using hands-free, wearable technology (Google Glass, Google, Mountain View, California). We compared interpretation of twelve chest X-rays with 23 major cardiopulmonary findings by faculty and fellows from cardiology, radiology, and pulmonary-critical care via: (1) viewing the chest X-ray image on the Google Glass screen; (2) viewing a photograph of the chest X-ray taken using Google Glass and interpreted on a mobile device; (3) viewing the original chest X-ray on a desktop computer screen. One point was given for identification of each correct finding and a subjective rating of user experience was recorded. Fifteen physicians (5 faculty and 10 fellows) participated. The average chest X-ray reading score (maximum 23 points) as viewed through the Google Glass, Google Glass photograph on a mobile device, and the original X-ray viewed on a desktop computer was 14.1±2.2, 18.5±1.5 and 21.3±1.7, respectively (p<0.0001 between Google Glass and mobile device, p<0.0001 between Google Glass and desktop computer and p=0.0004 between mobile device and desktop computer). Of 15 physicians, 11 (73.3%) felt confident in detecting findings using the photograph taken by Google Glass as viewed on a mobile device. Remote chest X-ray interpretation using hands-free, wearable technology (Google Glass) is less accurate than interpretation using a desktop computer or a mobile device, suggesting that further technical improvements are needed before widespread application of this novel technology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

Spherulites growth in trachytic melts: a textural quantitative study from synchrotron X-ray microtomography and SEM data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arzilli, Fabio; Mancini, Lucia; Giuli, Gabriele; Cicconi, Maria Rita; Voltolini, Marco; Carroll, Michael R.

2013-04-01

This study shows the first textural data on synthetic alkali-feldspar spherulites grown in trachytic melts during cooling and decompression experiments with water-saturated conditions. Previous textural studies have shown the shape evolution and the growth process of spherulites as a function of undercooling (T) and water content, although just in basaltic and rhyolitic melts [1-3]. Spherulites are spherical clusters of polycrystalline aggregates that occur commonly in rhyolitic melts under highly non-equilibrium conditions [3-4]. Cooling and decompression experiments have been carried out on trachytic melts in order to investigate crystallization kinetics of alkali feldspars and the implications for magma dynamics during the ascent towards the surface. Experiments have been conducted using cold seal pressure vessel apparatus at pressure range of 30 - 200 MPa, temperature of 750 - 850 °C and time of 2 - 16 hours, thereby reproducing pre- and syn-eruptive conditions of the Campi Flegrei volcanoes. This study presents quantitative data on spherulite morphologies obtained both by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and synchrotron X-ray microtomography. Size, aspect ratio, number and crystallographic misorientation of alkali feldspar crystals will be measured. Furthermore, experiments performed at different durations could allow us to follow the growth and the evolution of spherulites. The shape of spherulites changes as a function of ΔT and experimental durations. Two kind of spherulites occured during experiments: open spherulites and close spherulites. The open spherulites are characterized by an structure with large (generally rectangular prismatic), widely spaced fibers with main axis converging towards a central nucleus, in agreement with previous observations [5-6]. Instead, the close spherulites consist of acicular and tiny fibers radially aggregated around a nucleus and single crystals are hardly distinguishable. First preliminary results show: a

Three-dimensional monochromatic x-ray CT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saito, Tsuneo; Kudo, Hiroyuki; Takeda, Tohoru; Itai, Yuji; Tokumori, Kenji; Toyofuku, Fukai; Hyodo, Kazuyuki; Ando, Masami; Nishimura, Ktsuyuki; Uyama, Chikao

1995-08-01

In this paper, we describe a 3D computed tomography (3D CT) using monochromatic x-rays generated by synchrotron radiation, which performs a direct reconstruction of 3D volume image of an object from its cone-beam projections. For the develpment of 3D CT, scanning orbit of x-ray source to obtain complete 3D information about an object and corresponding 3D image reconstruction algorithm are considered. Computer simulation studies demonstrate the validities of proposed scanning method and reconstruction algorithm. A prototype experimental system of 3D CT was constructed. Basic phantom examinations and specific material CT image by energy subtraction obtained in this experimental system are shown.

Microscale Electromagnetic Heating in Heterogeneous Energetic Materials Based on X-ray Computed Tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kort-Kamp, W. J. M.; Cordes, N. L.; Ionita, A.; Glover, B. B.; Duque, A. L. Higginbotham; Perry, W. L.; Patterson, B. M.; Dalvit, D. A. R.; Moore, D. S.

2016-04-01

Electromagnetic stimulation of energetic materials provides a noninvasive and nondestructive tool for detecting and identifying explosives. We combine structural information based on x-ray computed tomography, experimental dielectric data, and electromagnetic full-wave simulations to study microscale electromagnetic heating of realistic three-dimensional heterogeneous explosives. We analyze the formation of electromagnetic hot spots and thermal gradients in the explosive-binder mesostructures and compare the heating rate for various binder systems.

Computed tomographic images using tube source of x rays: interior properties of the material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rao, Donepudi V.; Takeda, Tohoru; Itai, Yuji; Seltzer, S. M.; Hubbell, John H.; Zeniya, Tsutomu; Akatsuka, Takao; Cesareo, Roberto; Brunetti, Antonio; Gigante, Giovanni E.

2002-01-01

An image intensifier based computed tomography scanner and a tube source of x-rays are used to obtain the images of small objects, plastics, wood and soft materials in order to know the interior properties of the material. A new method is developed to estimate the degree of monochromacy, total solid angle, efficiency and geometrical effects of the measuring system and the way to produce monoenergetic radiation. The flux emitted by the x-ray tube is filtered using the appropriate filters at the chosen optimum energy and reasonable monochromacy is achieved and the images are acceptably distinct. Much attention has been focused on the imaging of small objects of weakly attenuating materials at optimum value. At optimum value it is possible to calculate the three-dimensional representation of inner and outer surfaces of the object. The image contrast between soft materials could be significantly enhanced by optimal selection of the energy of the x-rays by Monte Carlo methods. The imaging system is compact, reasonably economic, has a good contrast resolution, simple operation and routine availability and explores the use of optimizing tomography for various applications.

Using synchrotron X-ray phase-contrast micro-computed tomography to study tissue damage by laser irradiation.

PubMed

Robinson, Alan M; Stock, Stuart R; Soriano, Carmen; Xiao, Xianghui; Richter, Claus-Peter

2016-11-01

The aim of this study was to determine if X-ray micro-computed tomography could be used to locate and characterize tissue damage caused by laser irradiation and to describe its advantages over classical histology for this application. A surgical CO 2 laser, operated in single pulse mode (100 milliseconds) at different power settings, was used to ablate different types of cadaveric animal tissues. Tissue samples were then harvested and imaged with synchrotron X-ray phase-contrast and micro-computed tomography to generate stacks of virtual sections of the tissues. Subsequently, Fiji (ImageJ) software was used to locate tissue damage, then to quantify volumes of laser ablation cones and thermal coagulation damage from 3D renderings of tissue image stacks. Visual comparisons of tissue structures in X-ray images with those visible by classic light microscopy histology were made. We demonstrated that micro-computed tomography could be used to rapidly identify areas of surgical laser ablation, vacuolization, carbonization, and thermally coagulated tissue. Quantification and comparison of the ablation crater, which represents the volume of ablated tissue, and the thermal coagulation zone volumes were performed faster than we could by classical histology. We demonstrated that these procedures can be performed on fresh hydrated and non-sectioned plastic embedded tissue. We demonstrated that the application of non-destructive micro-computed tomography to the visualization and analysis of laser induced tissue damage without tissue sectioning is possible. This will improve evaluation of new surgical lasers and their corresponding effect on tissues. Lasers Surg. Med. 48:866-877, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A variable resolution x-ray detector for computed tomography: I. Theoretical basis and experimental verification.

PubMed

DiBianca, F A; Gupta, V; Zeman, H D

2000-08-01

A computed tomography imaging technique called variable resolution x-ray (VRX) detection provides detector resolution ranging from that of clinical body scanning to that of microscopy (1 cy/mm to 100 cy/mm). The VRX detection technique is based on a new principle denoted as "projective compression" that allows the detector resolution element to scale proportionally to the image field size. Two classes of VRX detector geometry are considered. Theoretical aspects related to x-ray physics and data sampling are presented. Measured resolution parameters (line-spread function and modulation-transfer function) are presented and discussed. A VRX image that resolves a pair of 50 micron tungsten hairs spaced 30 microns apart is shown.

Tomographic image reconstruction using x-ray phase information

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Momose, Atsushi; Takeda, Tohoru; Itai, Yuji; Hirano, Keiichi

1996-04-01

We have been developing phase-contrast x-ray computed tomography (CT) to make possible the observation of biological soft tissues without contrast enhancement. Phase-contrast x-ray CT requires for its input data the x-ray phase-shift distributions or phase-mapping images caused by an object. These were measured with newly developed fringe-scanning x-ray interferometry. Phase-mapping images at different projection directions were obtained by rotating the object in an x-ray interferometer, and were processed with a standard CT algorithm. A phase-contrast x-ray CT image of a nonstained cancerous tissue was obtained using 17.7 keV synchrotron x rays with 12 micrometer voxel size, although the size of the observation area was at most 5 mm. The cancerous lesions were readily distinguishable from normal tissues. Moreover, fine structures corresponding to cancerous degeneration and fibrous tissues were clearly depicted. It is estimated that the present system is sensitive down to a density deviation of 4 mg/cm3.

Characterization and analysis of Porous, Brittle solid structures by X-ray micro computed tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, C. L.; Videla, A. R.; Yu, Q.; Miller, J. D.

2010-12-01

The internal structure of porous, brittle solid structures, such as porous rock, foam metal and wallboard, is extremely complex. For example, in the case of wallboard, the air bubble size and the thickness/composition of the wall structure are spatial parameters that vary significantly and influence mechanical, thermal, and acoustical properties. In this regard, the complex geometry and the internal texture of material, such as wallboard, is characterized and analyzed in 3-D using cone beam x-ray micro computed tomography. Geometrical features of the porous brittle structure are quantitatively analyzed based on calibration of the x-ray linear attenuation coefficient, use of a 3-D watershed algorithm, and use of a 3-D skeletonization procedure. Several examples of the 3-D analysis for porous, wallboard structures are presented and the results discussed.

X-Rays

MedlinePlus

X-rays are a type of radiation called electromagnetic waves. X-ray imaging creates pictures of the inside of ... different amounts of radiation. Calcium in bones absorbs x-rays the most, so bones look white. Fat ...

Computed tomography of x-ray images using neural networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Allred, Lloyd G.; Jones, Martin H.; Sheats, Matthew J.; Davis, Anthony W.

2000-03-01

Traditional CT reconstruction is done using the technique of Filtered Backprojection. While this technique is widely employed in industrial and medical applications, it is not generally understood that FB has a fundamental flaw. Gibbs phenomena states any Fourier reconstruction will produce errors in the vicinity of all discontinuities, and that the error will equal 28 percent of the discontinuity. A number of years back, one of the authors proposed a biological perception model whereby biological neural networks perceive 3D images from stereo vision. The perception model proports an internal hard-wired neural network which emulates the external physical process. A process is repeated whereby erroneous unknown internal values are used to generate an emulated signal with is compared to external sensed data, generating an error signal. Feedback from the error signal is then sued to update the erroneous internal values. The process is repeated until the error signal no longer decrease. It was soon realized that the same method could be used to obtain CT from x-rays without having to do Fourier transforms. Neural networks have the additional potential for handling non-linearities and missing data. The technique has been applied to some coral images, collected at the Los Alamos high-energy x-ray facility. The initial images show considerable promise, in some instances showing more detail than the FB images obtained from the same data. Although routine production using this new method would require a massively parallel computer, the method shows promise, especially where refined detail is required.

DETECTING RELATIVISTIC X-RAY JETS IN HIGH-REDSHIFT QUASARS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

McKeough, Kathryn; Siemiginowska, Aneta; Kashyap, Vinay L.

We analyze Chandra X-ray images of a sample of 11 quasars that are known to contain kiloparsec scale radio jets. The sample consists of five high-redshift ( z  ≥ 3.6) flat-spectrum radio quasars, and six intermediate redshift (2.1 <  z  < 2.9) quasars. The data set includes four sources with integrated steep radio spectra and seven with flat radio spectra. A total of 25 radio jet features are present in this sample. We apply a Bayesian multi-scale image reconstruction method to detect and measure the X-ray emission from the jets. We compute deviations from a baseline model that does not include the jet,more » and compare observed X-ray images with those computed with simulated images where no jet features exist. This allows us to compute p -value upper bounds on the significance that an X-ray jet is detected in a pre-determined region of interest. We detected 12 of the features unambiguously, and an additional six marginally. We also find residual emission in the cores of three quasars and in the background of one quasar that suggest the existence of unresolved X-ray jets. The dependence of the X-ray to radio luminosity ratio on redshift is a potential diagnostic of the emission mechanism, since the inverse Compton scattering of cosmic microwave background photons (IC/CMB) is thought to be redshift dependent, whereas in synchrotron models no clear redshift dependence is expected. We find that the high-redshift jets have X-ray to radio flux ratios that are marginally inconsistent with those from lower redshifts, suggesting that either the X-ray emissions are due to the IC/CMB rather than the synchrotron process, or that high-redshift jets are qualitatively different.« less

Quantitative analysis of packed and compacted granular systems by x-ray microtomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fu, Xiaowei; Milroy, Georgina E.; Dutt, Meenakshi; Bentham, A. Craig; Hancock, Bruno C.; Elliott, James A.

2005-04-01

The packing and compaction of powders are general processes in pharmaceutical, food, ceramic and powder metallurgy industries. Understanding how particles pack in a confined space and how powders behave during compaction is crucial for producing high quality products. This paper outlines a new technique, based on modern desktop X-ray tomography and image processing, to quantitatively investigate the packing of particles in the process of powder compaction and provide great insights on how powder densify during powder compaction, which relate in terms of materials properties and processing conditions to tablet manufacture by compaction. A variety of powder systems were considered, which include glass, sugar, NaCl, with a typical particle size of 200-300 mm and binary mixtures of NaCl-Glass Spheres. The results are new and have been validated by SEM observation and numerical simulations using discrete element methods (DEM). The research demonstrates that XMT technique has the potential in further investigating of pharmaceutical processing and even verifying other physical models on complex packing.

Note: A disposable x-ray camera based on mass produced complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor sensors and single-board computers

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hoidn, Oliver R.; Seidler, Gerald T., E-mail: seidler@uw.edu

We have integrated mass-produced commercial complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensors and off-the-shelf single-board computers into an x-ray camera platform optimized for acquisition of x-ray spectra and radiographs at energies of 2–6 keV. The CMOS sensor and single-board computer are complemented by custom mounting and interface hardware that can be easily acquired from rapid prototyping services. For single-pixel detection events, i.e., events where the deposited energy from one photon is substantially localized in a single pixel, we establish ∼20% quantum efficiency at 2.6 keV with ∼190 eV resolution and a 100 kHz maximum detection rate. The detector platform’s useful intrinsic energymore » resolution, 5-μm pixel size, ease of use, and obvious potential for parallelization make it a promising candidate for many applications at synchrotron facilities, in laser-heating plasma physics studies, and in laboratory-based x-ray spectrometry.« less

X-ray angiography systems.

PubMed

1993-11-01

Despite the emergence of several alternative angiographic imaging techniques (i.e., magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and ultrasound angiography), x-ray angiography remains the predominant vascular imaging modality, generating over $4 billion in revenue a year in U.S. hospitals. In this issue, we provide a brief overview of the various angiographic imaging techniques, comparing them with x-ray angiography, and discuss the clinical aspects of x-ray vascular imaging, including catheterization and clinical applications. Clinical, cost, usage, and legal issues related to contrast media are discussed in "Contrast Media: Ionic versus Nonionic and Low-osmolality Agents." We also provide a technical overview and selection guidance for a basic x-ray angiography imaging system, including the gantry and table system, x-ray generator, x-ray tube, image intensifier, video camera and display monitors, image-recording devices, and digital acquisition and processing systems. This issue also contains our Evaluation of the GE Advantx L/C cardiac angiography system and the GE Advantx AFM general-purpose angiography system; the AFM can be used for peripheral, pulmonary, and cerebral vascular studied, among others, and can also be configured for cardiac angiography. Many features of the Advantx L/C system, including generator characteristics and ease of use, also apply to the Advantx AFM as configured for cardiac angiography. Our ratings are based on the systems' ability to provide the best possible image quality for diagnosis and therapy while minimizing patient and personnel exposure to radiation, as well as its ability to minimize operator effort and inconvenience. Both units are rated Acceptable. In the Guidance Section, "Radiation Safety and Protection," we discuss the importance of keeping patient and personnel exposures to radiation as low as reasonably possible, especially in procedures such as cardiac catheterization, angiographic imaging for special procedures

Apparatus for obtaining an X-ray image

DOEpatents

Watanabe, Eiji

1979-01-01

A computed tomography apparatus in which a fan-shaped X-ray beam is caused to pass through a section of an object, enabling absorption detection on the opposite side of the object by a detector comprising a plurality of discrete detector elements. An electron beam generating the X-ray beam by impacting upon a target is caused to rotate over the target.

Synchrotron x-ray high energy PDF and tomography studies for gallium melts under high-pressure conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, H.; Liu, L. L.; Li, R.; Li, L.

2015-12-01

Liquid gallium exhibits unusual and unique physical properties. A rich polymorphism and metastable modifications of solid Ga have been discovered and a number of studies of liquid gallium under high pressure conditions were reported. However, some fundamental properties, such as the equation of state (EoS) of Ga melt under extreme conditions remain unclear. To compare to the previous reports, we performed the pair distribution function (PDF) study using diamond anvil cell, in which synchrotron high-energy x-ray total scattering data, combined with reverse Monte Carlo simulation, was used to study the microstructure and EoS of liquid gallium under high pressure at room temperature conditions. The EoS of Ga melt, which was measured from synchrotron x-ray tomography method at room temperature, was used to avoid the potential relatively big errors for the density estimation from the reverse Monte Carlo simulation with the mathematical fit to the measured structure factor data. The volume change of liquid gallium have been studied as a function of pressure and temperature up to 5 GPa at 370 K using synchrotron x-ray microtomography combined with energy dispersive x-ray diffraction (EDXRD) techniques using Drickamer press. The directly measured P-V-T curves were obtained from 3D tomography reconstruction data. The existence of possible liquid-liquid phase transition regions is proposed based on the abnormal compressibility and local structure change in Ga melts.

Energy-angle correlation correction algorithm for monochromatic computed tomography based on Thomson scattering X-ray source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chi, Zhijun; Du, Yingchao; Huang, Wenhui; Tang, Chuanxiang

2017-12-01

The necessity for compact and relatively low cost x-ray sources with monochromaticity, continuous tunability of x-ray energy, high spatial coherence, straightforward polarization control, and high brightness has led to the rapid development of Thomson scattering x-ray sources. To meet the requirement of in-situ monochromatic computed tomography (CT) for large-scale and/or high-attenuation materials based on this type of x-ray source, there is an increasing demand for effective algorithms to correct the energy-angle correlation. In this paper, we take advantage of the parametrization of the x-ray attenuation coefficient to resolve this problem. The linear attenuation coefficient of a material can be decomposed into a linear combination of the energy-dependent photoelectric and Compton cross-sections in the keV energy regime without K-edge discontinuities, and the line integrals of the decomposition coefficients of the above two parts can be determined by performing two spectrally different measurements. After that, the line integral of the linear attenuation coefficient of an imaging object at a certain interested energy can be derived through the above parametrization formula, and monochromatic CT can be reconstructed at this energy using traditional reconstruction methods, e.g., filtered back projection or algebraic reconstruction technique. Not only can monochromatic CT be realized, but also the distributions of the effective atomic number and electron density of the imaging object can be retrieved at the expense of dual-energy CT scan. Simulation results validate our proposal and will be shown in this paper. Our results will further expand the scope of application for Thomson scattering x-ray sources.

X-ray and gamma-ray computed tomography for industrial nondestructive testing and evaluation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Costello, Ian; Wells, Peter; Davis, John R.; Benci, Nino; Skerrett, David; Davies, D. R.

1994-03-01

This paper presents an overview of two recently constructed computed tomography (CT) scanners that have been designed to provide structural information for industrially relevant materials and components. CT enables cross-sectional slices of an object to be nondestructively imaged and represented as a map of linear attenuation coefficient. As linear attenuation is the product of mass attenuation and density, this usually enables a straightforward interpretation of the image in terms of density. The two instruments are a transportable scanner using a 160 kV(peak) powered x-ray tube for the inspection of wooden power poles up to 450 mm in diameter, and an industrial scanning system designed around an Ir-192 gamma-ray source for materials characterization and the testing and evaluation of castings, ceramics, and composites. The images presented in this paper have generally been reconstructed using the summation convolution back-projection (SCBP) method, and this technique is outlined. Direct Fourier reconstruction is also used and compared with the SCBP method. A brief discussion is offered on incorporating edge detection methods into the image reconstruction process for the improved identification of defects such as cracks and voids.

Microscale electromagnetic heating in heterogeneous energetic materials based on x-ray computed tomography

DOE PAGES

Kort-Kamp, W. J. M.; Cordes, N. L.; Ionita, A.; ...

2016-04-01

Electromagnetic stimulation of energetic materials provides a noninvasive and nondestructive tool for detecting and identifying explosives. We combine structural information based on x-ray computed tomography, experimental dielectric data, and electromagnetic full-wave simulations to study microscale electromagnetic heating of realistic three-dimensional heterogeneous explosives. In conclusion, we analyze the formation of electromagnetic hot spots and thermal gradients in the explosive-binder mesostructures and compare the heating rate for various binder systems.

Microscale electromagnetic heating in heterogeneous energetic materials based on x-ray computed tomography

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kort-Kamp, W. J. M.; Cordes, N. L.; Ionita, A.

Electromagnetic stimulation of energetic materials provides a noninvasive and nondestructive tool for detecting and identifying explosives. We combine structural information based on x-ray computed tomography, experimental dielectric data, and electromagnetic full-wave simulations to study microscale electromagnetic heating of realistic three-dimensional heterogeneous explosives. In conclusion, we analyze the formation of electromagnetic hot spots and thermal gradients in the explosive-binder mesostructures and compare the heating rate for various binder systems.

Ultra-fast LuI{sub 3}:Ce scintillators for hard x-ray imaging

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Marton, Zsolt, E-mail: zmarton@rmdinc.com; Miller, Stuart R.; Ovechkina, Elena

We have developed ultra-fast cerium-coped lutetium-iodide (LuI{sub 3}:Ce) films thermally evaporated as polycrystalline, structured scintillator using hot wall epitaxy (HWE) method. The films have shown a 13 ns decay compared to the 28 ns reported for crystals. The fast speed coupled with its high density (∼5.6 g/cm{sup 3}), high effective atomic number (59.7), and the fact that it can be vapor deposited in a columnar form makes LuI{sub 3}:Ce an attractive candidate for high frame rate, high-resolution, hard X-ray imaging. In crystal form, LuI{sub 3}:Ce has demonstrated bright (>100,000 photons/MeV) green (540 nm) emission, which is well matched to commercialmore » CCD/CMOS sensors and is critical for maintaining high signal to noise ratio in light starved applications. Here, we report on the scintillation properties of films and those for corresponding crystalline material. The vapor grown films were integrated into a high-speed CMOS imager to demonstrate high-speed radiography capability. The films were also tested at Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory beamline 1-ID under hard X-ray irradiation. The data show a factor of four higher efficiency than the reference LuAG:Ce scintillators, high image quality, and linearity of scintillation response over a wide energy range. The films were employed to perform hard X-ray microtomography, the results of which will also be discussed.« less

High-speed classification of coherent X-ray diffraction patterns on the K computer for high-resolution single biomolecule imaging.

PubMed

Tokuhisa, Atsushi; Arai, Junya; Joti, Yasumasa; Ohno, Yoshiyuki; Kameyama, Toyohisa; Yamamoto, Keiji; Hatanaka, Masayuki; Gerofi, Balazs; Shimada, Akio; Kurokawa, Motoyoshi; Shoji, Fumiyoshi; Okada, Kensuke; Sugimoto, Takashi; Yamaga, Mitsuhiro; Tanaka, Ryotaro; Yokokawa, Mitsuo; Hori, Atsushi; Ishikawa, Yutaka; Hatsui, Takaki; Go, Nobuhiro

2013-11-01

Single-particle coherent X-ray diffraction imaging using an X-ray free-electron laser has the potential to reveal the three-dimensional structure of a biological supra-molecule at sub-nanometer resolution. In order to realise this method, it is necessary to analyze as many as 1 × 10(6) noisy X-ray diffraction patterns, each for an unknown random target orientation. To cope with the severe quantum noise, patterns need to be classified according to their similarities and average similar patterns to improve the signal-to-noise ratio. A high-speed scalable scheme has been developed to carry out classification on the K computer, a 10PFLOPS supercomputer at RIKEN Advanced Institute for Computational Science. It is designed to work on the real-time basis with the experimental diffraction pattern collection at the X-ray free-electron laser facility SACLA so that the result of classification can be feedback for optimizing experimental parameters during the experiment. The present status of our effort developing the system and also a result of application to a set of simulated diffraction patterns is reported. About 1 × 10(6) diffraction patterns were successfully classificatied by running 255 separate 1 h jobs in 385-node mode.

Analytical dual-energy microtomography: A new method for obtaining three-dimensional mineral phase images and its application to Hayabusa samples

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsuchiyama, A.; Nakano, T.; Uesugi, K.; Uesugi, M.; Takeuchi, A.; Suzuki, Y.; Noguchi, R.; Matsumoto, T.; Matsuno, J.; Nagano, T.; Imai, Y.; Nakamura, T.; Ogami, T.; Noguchi, T.; Abe, M.; Yada, T.; Fujimura, A.

2013-09-01

We developed a novel technique called "analytical dual-energy microtomography" that uses the linear attenuation coefficients (LACs) of minerals at two different X-ray energies to nondestructively obtain three-dimensional (3D) images of mineral distribution in materials such as rock specimens. The two energies are above and below the absorption edge energy of an abundant element, which we call the "index element". The chemical compositions of minerals forming solid solution series can also be measured. The optimal size of a sample is of the order of the inverse of the LAC values at the X-ray energies used. We used synchrotron-based microtomography with an effective spatial resolution of >200 nm to apply this method to small particles (30-180 μm) collected from the surface of asteroid 25143 Itokawa by the Hayabusa mission of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). A 3D distribution of the minerals was successively obtained by imaging the samples at X-ray energies of 7 and 8 keV, using Fe as the index element (the K-absorption edge of Fe is 7.11 keV). The optimal sample size in this case is of the order of 50 μm. The chemical compositions of the minerals, including the Fe/Mg ratios of ferromagnesian minerals and the Na/Ca ratios of plagioclase, were measured. This new method is potentially applicable to other small samples such as cosmic dust, lunar regolith, cometary dust (recovered by the Stardust mission of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration [NASA]), and samples from extraterrestrial bodies (those from future sample return missions such as the JAXA Hayabusa2 mission and the NASA OSIRIS-REx mission), although limitations exist for unequilibrated samples. Further, this technique is generally suited for studying materials in multicomponent systems with multiple phases across several research fields.

X-ray Computed Tomography Assessment of Air Void Distribution in Concrete

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Haizhu

Air void size and spatial distribution have long been regarded as critical parameters in the frost resistance of concrete. In cement-based materials, entrained air void systems play an important role in performance as related to durability, permeability, and heat transfer. Many efforts have been made to measure air void parameters in a more efficient and reliable manner in the past several decades. Standardized measurement techniques based on optical microscopy and stereology on flat cut and polished surfaces are widely used in research as well as in quality assurance and quality control applications. Other more automated methods using image processing have also been utilized, but still starting from flat cut and polished surfaces. The emergence of X-ray computed tomography (CT) techniques provides the capability of capturing the inner microstructure of materials at the micrometer and nanometer scale. X-ray CT's less demanding sample preparation and capability to measure 3D distributions of air voids directly provide ample prospects for its wider use in air void characterization in cement-based materials. However, due to the huge number of air voids that can exist within a limited volume, errors can easily arise in the absence of a formalized data processing procedure. In this study, air void parameters in selected types of cement-based materials (lightweight concrete, structural concrete elements, pavements, and laboratory mortars) have been measured using micro X-ray CT. The focus of this study is to propose a unified procedure for processing the data and to provide solutions to deal with common problems that arise when measuring air void parameters: primarily the reliable segmentation of objects of interest, uncertainty estimation of measured parameters, and the comparison of competing segmentation parameters.

Feasibility studies on explosive detection and homeland security applications using a neutron and x-ray combined computed tomography system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sinha, V.; Srivastava, A.; Lee, H. K.; Liu, X.

2013-05-01

The successful creation and operation of a neutron and X-ray combined computed tomography (NXCT) system has been demonstrated by researchers at the Missouri University of Science and Technology. The NXCT system has numerous applications in the field of material characterization and object identification in materials with a mixture of atomic numbers represented. Presently, the feasibility studies have been performed for explosive detection and homeland security applications, particularly in concealed material detection and determination of the light atomic number materials. These materials cannot be detected using traditional X-ray imaging. The new system has the capability to provide complete structural and compositional information due to the complementary nature of X-ray and neutron interactions with materials. The design of the NXCT system facilitates simultaneous and instantaneous imaging operation, promising enhanced detection capabilities of explosive materials, low atomic number materials and illicit materials for homeland security applications. In addition, a sample positioning system allowing the user to remotely and automatically manipulate the sample makes the system viable for commercial applications. Several explosives and weapon simulants have been imaged and the results are provided. The fusion algorithms which combine the data from the neutron and X-ray imaging produce superior images. This paper is a compete overview of the NXCT system for feasibility studies of explosive detection and homeland security applications. The design of the system, operation, algorithm development, and detection schemes are provided. This is the first combined neutron and X-ray computed tomography system in operation. Furthermore, the method of fusing neutron and X-ray images together is a new approach which provides high contrast images of the desired object. The system could serve as a standardized tool in nondestructive testing of many applications, especially in

Optimizing contrast agents with respect to reducing beam hardening in nonmedical X-ray computed tomography experiments.

PubMed

Nakashima, Yoshito; Nakano, Tsukasa

2014-01-01

Iodine is commonly used as a contrast agent in nonmedical science and engineering, for example, to visualize Darcy flow in porous geological media using X-ray computed tomography (CT). Undesirable beam hardening artifacts occur when a polychromatic X-ray source is used, which makes the quantitative analysis of CT images difficult. To optimize the chemistry of a contrast agent in terms of the beam hardening reduction, we performed computer simulations and generated synthetic CT images of a homogeneous cylindrical sand-pack (diameter, 28 or 56 mm; porosity, 39 vol.% saturated with aqueous suspensions of heavy elements assuming the use of a polychromatic medical CT scanner. The degree of cupping derived from the beam hardening was assessed using the reconstructed CT images to find the chemistry of the suspension that induced the least cupping. The results showed that (i) the degree of cupping depended on the position of the K absorption edge of the heavy element relative to peak of the polychromatic incident X-ray spectrum, (ii) (53)I was not an ideal contrast agent because it causes marked cupping, and (iii) a single element much heavier than (53)I ((64)Gd to (79)Au) reduced the cupping artifact significantly, and a four-heavy-element mixture of elements from (64)Gd to (79)Au reduced the artifact most significantly.

Electron microscopy and computed microtomography studies of in vivo implanted mini-TL dosimeters.

PubMed

Strand, S E; Strandh, M; Spanne, P

1993-01-01

The need for direct methods of measuring the absorbed dose in vivo increases for systemic radiation therapy, and in more sophisticated methodologies developed for radioimmunotherapy. One method suggested is the use of mini-thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD). Recent reports indicate a marked loss of signal when the dosimeters are used in vivo. We investigated the exterior surface of the dosimeters with scanning electron microscopy and the interior dosimeter volume with computed microtomography. The results show that the dosimeters initially have crystals uniformly embedded in the teflon matrix, with some of them directly exposed to the environment. After incubation in gel, holes appear in the dosimeter matrix where the crystals should have been. The computed microtomographic images show that crystals remain in the interior of the matrix, producing the remaining signal. We conclude that these dosimeters should be very carefully handled, and for practical use of mini-TLDs in vivo the dosimeters should be calibrated in equivalent milieus. An alternative solution to the problem of decreased TL efficiency, would be to coat the dosimeters with a thin layer, of Teflon, or other suitable material.

The Effect of Experimental Variables on Industrial X-Ray Micro-Computed Sensitivity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roth, Don J.; Rauser, Richard W.

2014-01-01

A study was performed on the effect of experimental variables on radiographic sensitivity (image quality) in x-ray micro-computed tomography images for a high density thin wall metallic cylinder containing micro-EDM holes. Image quality was evaluated in terms of signal-to-noise ratio, flaw detectability, and feature sharpness. The variables included: day-to-day reproducibility, current, integration time, voltage, filtering, number of frame averages, number of projection views, beam width, effective object radius, binning, orientation of sample, acquisition angle range (180deg to 360deg), and directional versus transmission tube.

Miniature, mobile X-ray computed radiography system

DOEpatents

Watson, Scott A; Rose, Evan A

2017-03-07

A miniature, portable x-ray system may be configured to scan images stored on a phosphor. A flash circuit may be configured to project red light onto a phosphor and receive blue light from the phosphor. A digital monochrome camera may be configured to receive the blue light to capture an article near the phosphor.

3D X-ray ultra-microscopy of bone tissue.

PubMed

Langer, M; Peyrin, F

2016-02-01

We review the current X-ray techniques with 3D imaging capability at the nano-scale: transmission X-ray microscopy, ptychography and in-line phase nano-tomography. We further review the different ultra-structural features that have so far been resolved: the lacuno-canalicular network, collagen orientation, nano-scale mineralization and their use as basis for mechanical simulations. X-ray computed tomography at the micro-metric scale is increasingly considered as the reference technique in imaging of bone micro-structure. The trend has been to push towards increasingly higher resolution. Due to the difficulty of realizing optics in the hard X-ray regime, the magnification has mainly been due to the use of visible light optics and indirect detection of the X-rays, which limits the attainable resolution with respect to the wavelength of the visible light used in detection. Recent developments in X-ray optics and instrumentation have allowed to implement several types of methods that achieve imaging that is limited in resolution by the X-ray wavelength, thus enabling computed tomography at the nano-scale. We review here the X-ray techniques with 3D imaging capability at the nano-scale: transmission X-ray microscopy, ptychography and in-line phase nano-tomography. Further, we review the different ultra-structural features that have so far been resolved and the applications that have been reported: imaging of the lacuno-canalicular network, direct analysis of collagen orientation, analysis of mineralization on the nano-scale and use of 3D images at the nano-scale to drive mechanical simulations. Finally, we discuss the issue of going beyond qualitative description to quantification of ultra-structural features.

An optically stimulated luminescence system to measure dose profiles in x-ray computed tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yukihara, E. G.; Ruan, C.; Gasparian, P. B. R.; Clouse, W. J.; Kalavagunta, C.; Ahmad, S.

2009-10-01

This paper describes an LED-based optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) system for dose profile measurements using OSL detector strips and investigates its performance in x-ray computed tomography (CT) dosimetry. To compensate for the energy response of the Al2O3:C OSL detectors, which have an effective atomic number of 11.28, field-specific energy correction factors were determined using two methods: (a) comparing the OSL profiles with ionization chamber point measurements (0.3 cm3 ionization chamber) and (b) comparing the OSL profiles integrated over a 100 mm length with 100 mm long pencil ionization chamber measurements. These correction factors were obtained for the CT body and head phantoms, central and peripheral positions and three x-ray tube potential differences (100 kVp, 120 kVp and 140 kVp). The OSL dose profiles corrected by the energy dependence agreed with the ionization chamber point measurements over the entire length of the phantom (300 mm). For 120 kVp x-ray tube potential difference, the CTDI100 values calculated using the OSL dose profiles corrected for the energy dependence and those obtained from an independent measurement with a 100 mm long pencil ionization chamber also agreed within ±5%.

Characterization of metal additive manufacturing surfaces using synchrotron X-ray CT and micromechanical modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kantzos, C. A.; Cunningham, R. W.; Tari, V.; Rollett, A. D.

2018-05-01

Characterizing complex surface topologies is necessary to understand stress concentrations created by rough surfaces, particularly those made via laser power-bed additive manufacturing (AM). Synchrotron-based X-ray microtomography (μ XCT) of AM surfaces was shown to provide high resolution detail of surface features and near-surface porosity. Using the CT reconstructions to instantiate a micromechanical model indicated that surface notches and near-surface porosity both act as stress concentrators, while adhered powder carried little to no load. Differences in powder size distribution had no direct effect on the relevant surface features, nor on stress concentrations. Conventional measurements of surface roughness, which are highly influenced by adhered powder, are therefore unlikely to contain the information relevant to damage accumulation and crack initiation.

Characterization of metal additive manufacturing surfaces using synchrotron X-ray CT and micromechanical modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kantzos, C. A.; Cunningham, R. W.; Tari, V.; Rollett, A. D.

2017-12-01

Characterizing complex surface topologies is necessary to understand stress concentrations created by rough surfaces, particularly those made via laser power-bed additive manufacturing (AM). Synchrotron-based X-ray microtomography (μ XCT ) of AM surfaces was shown to provide high resolution detail of surface features and near-surface porosity. Using the CT reconstructions to instantiate a micromechanical model indicated that surface notches and near-surface porosity both act as stress concentrators, while adhered powder carried little to no load. Differences in powder size distribution had no direct effect on the relevant surface features, nor on stress concentrations. Conventional measurements of surface roughness, which are highly influenced by adhered powder, are therefore unlikely to contain the information relevant to damage accumulation and crack initiation.

A Non-Destructive Method for Distinguishing Reindeer Antler (Rangifer tarandus) from Red Deer Antler (Cervus elaphus) Using X-Ray Micro-Tomography Coupled with SVM Classifiers

PubMed Central

Lefebvre, Alexandre; Rochefort, Gael Y.; Santos, Frédéric; Le Denmat, Dominique; Salmon, Benjamin; Pétillon, Jean-Marc

2016-01-01

Over the last decade, biomedical 3D-imaging tools have gained widespread use in the analysis of prehistoric bone artefacts. While initial attempts to characterise the major categories used in osseous industry (i.e. bone, antler, and dentine/ivory) have been successful, the taxonomic determination of prehistoric artefacts remains to be investigated. The distinction between reindeer and red deer antler can be challenging, particularly in cases of anthropic and/or taphonomic modifications. In addition to the range of destructive physicochemical identification methods available (mass spectrometry, isotopic ratio, and DNA analysis), X-ray micro-tomography (micro-CT) provides convincing non-destructive 3D images and analyses. This paper presents the experimental protocol (sample scans, image processing, and statistical analysis) we have developed in order to identify modern and archaeological antler collections (from Isturitz, France). This original method is based on bone microstructure analysis combined with advanced statistical support vector machine (SVM) classifiers. A combination of six microarchitecture biomarkers (bone volume fraction, trabecular number, trabecular separation, trabecular thickness, trabecular bone pattern factor, and structure model index) were screened using micro-CT in order to characterise internal alveolar structure. Overall, reindeer alveoli presented a tighter mesh than red deer alveoli, and statistical analysis allowed us to distinguish archaeological antler by species with an accuracy of 96%, regardless of anatomical location on the antler. In conclusion, micro-CT combined with SVM classifiers proves to be a promising additional non-destructive method for antler identification, suitable for archaeological artefacts whose degree of human modification and cultural heritage or scientific value has previously made it impossible (tools, ornaments, etc.). PMID:26901355

X-ray beamsplitter

DOEpatents

Ceglio, Natale M.; Stearns, Daniel S.; Hawryluk, Andrew M.; Barbee, Jr., Troy W.

1989-01-01

An x-ray beamsplitter which splits an x-ray beam into two coherent parts by reflecting and transmitting some fraction of an incident beam has applications for x-ray interferometry, x-ray holography, x-ray beam manipulation, and x-ray laser cavity output couplers. The beamsplitter is formed of a wavelength selective multilayer thin film supported by a very thin x-ray transparent membrane. The beamsplitter resonantly transmits and reflects x-rays through thin film interference effects. A thin film is formed of 5-50 pairs of alternate Mo/Si layers with a period of 20-250 A. The support membrane is 10-200 nm of silicon nitride or boron nitride. The multilayer/support membrane structure is formed across a window in a substrate by first forming the structure on a solid substrate and then forming a window in the substrate to leave a free-standing structure over the window.

Search for Hard X-Ray Emission from the Soft X-Ray Transient Aquila X-1

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harmon, B. A.; Zhang, S. N.; Paciesas, W. S.; Tavani, M.; Kaaret, P.; Ford, E.

1994-12-01

We are investigating the possibility of hard x-ray emission from the recurrent soft x-ray transient and x-ray burst source Aquila X-1 (Aql X-1). Outbursts of this source are relatively frequent with a spacing of ~ 4-10 months (Kitamoto, S. et al. 1993, ApJ, 403, 315). The recent detections of hard tails (\\(>\\)20 keV) in low luminosity x-ray bursters (Barret, D. & Vedrenne, G. 1994, ApJ Supp. S. 92, 505) suggest that neutron star transient systems such as Aql X-1 can produce hard x-ray emission which is detectable by BATSE. We are correlating reported optical and soft x-ray observations since 1991 of Aql X-1 with BATSE observations in order to search for hard x-ray emission episodes, and to study their temporal and spectral evolution. We will present preliminary results of this search in the 20-1000 keV band using the Earth occultation technique applied to the large area detectors. If this work is successful, we hope to alert the astronomical community for the next Aql X-1 outburst expected in 1995. Simultaneous x-ray/hard x-ray and optical observations of Aql X-1 during outburst would be of great importance for the modeling of soft x-ray transients and related systems.

High-contrast X-ray micro-tomography of low attenuation samples using large area hybrid semiconductor pixel detector array of 10 × 5 Timepix chips

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karch, J.; Krejci, F.; Bartl, B.; Dudak, J.; Kuba, J.; Kvacek, J.; Zemlicka, J.

2016-01-01

State-of-the-art hybrid pixel semiconductor detectors provide excellent imaging properties such as unlimited dynamic range, high spatial resolution, high frame rate and energy sensitivity. Nevertheless, a limitation in the use of these devices for imaging has been the small sensitive area of a few square centimetres. In the field of microtomography we make use of a large area pixel detector assembled from 50 Timepix edgeless chips providing fully sensitive area of 14.3 × 7.15 cm2. We have successfully demonstrated that the enlargement of the sensitive area enables high-quality tomographic measurements of whole objects with high geometrical magnification without any significant degradation in resulting reconstructions related to the chip tilling and edgeless sensor technology properties. The technique of micro-tomography with the newly developed large area detector is applied for samples formed by low attenuation, low contrast materials such a seed from Phacelia tanacetifolia, a charcoalified wood sample and a beeswax seal sample.

Morphological evaluation of heterogeneous oolitic limestone under pressure and fluid flow using X-ray microtomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yihuai; Lebedev, Maxim; Al-Yaseri, Ahmed; Yu, Hongyan; Nwidee, Lezorgia N.; Sarmadivaleh, Mohammad; Barifcani, Ahmed; Iglauer, Stefan

2018-03-01

Pore-scale analysis of carbonate rock is of great relevance to the oil and gas industry owing to their vast application potentials. Although, efficient fluid flow at pore scale is often disrupted owing to the tight rock matrix and complex heterogeneity of limestone microstructures, factors such as porosity, permeability and effective stress greatly impact the rock microstructures; as such an understanding of the effect of these variables is vital for various natural and engineered processes. In this study, the Savonnières limestone as a carbonate mineral was evaluated at micro scales using X-ray micro-computed tomography at high resolutions (3.43 μm and 1.25 μm voxel size) under different effective stress (0 MPa, 20 MPa) to ascertain limestone microstructure and gas permeability and porosity effect. The waterflooding (5 wt% NaCl) test was conducted using microCT in-situ scanning and nanoindentation test was also performed to evaluate microscale geomechanical heterogeneity of the rock. The nanoindentation test results showed that the nano/micro scale geomechanical properties are quite heterogeneous where the indentation modulus for the weak consolidated area was as low as 1 GPa. We observed that the fluid flow easily broke some less-consolidated areas (low indentation modulus) area, coupled with increase in porosity; and consistent with fines/particles migration and re-sedimentation were identified, although the effective stress showed only a minor effect on the rock microstructure.

X-ray beamsplitter

DOEpatents

Ceglio, N.M.; Stearns, D.G.; Hawryluk, A.M.; Barbee, T.W. Jr.

1987-08-07

An x-ray beamsplitter which splits an x-ray beam into two coherent parts by reflecting and transmitting some fraction of an incident beam has applications for x-ray interferometry, x-ray holography, x-ray beam manipulation, and x-ray laser cavity output couplers. The beamsplitter is formed of a wavelength selective multilayer thin film supported by a very thin x-ray transparent membrane. The beamsplitter resonantly transmits and reflects x-rays through thin film interference effects. A thin film is formed of 5--50 pairs of alternate Mo/Si layers with a period of 20--250 A. The support membrane is 10--200 nm of silicon nitride or boron nitride. The multilayer/support membrane structure is formed across a window in a substrate by first forming the structure on a solid substrate and then forming a window in the substrate to leave a free-standing structure over the window. 6 figs.

Performance dependence of hybrid x-ray computed tomography/fluorescence molecular tomography on the optical forward problem.

PubMed

Hyde, Damon; Schulz, Ralf; Brooks, Dana; Miller, Eric; Ntziachristos, Vasilis

2009-04-01

Hybrid imaging systems combining x-ray computed tomography (CT) and fluorescence tomography can improve fluorescence imaging performance by incorporating anatomical x-ray CT information into the optical inversion problem. While the use of image priors has been investigated in the past, little is known about the optimal use of forward photon propagation models in hybrid optical systems. In this paper, we explore the impact on reconstruction accuracy of the use of propagation models of varying complexity, specifically in the context of these hybrid imaging systems where significant structural information is known a priori. Our results demonstrate that the use of generically known parameters provides near optimal performance, even when parameter mismatch remains.

Quantitative imaging of gold nanoparticle distribution in a tumor-bearing mouse using benchtop x-ray fluorescence computed tomography

PubMed Central

Manohar, Nivedh; Reynoso, Francisco J.; Diagaradjane, Parmeswaran; Krishnan, Sunil; Cho, Sang Hyun

2016-01-01

X-ray fluorescence computed tomography (XFCT) is a technique that can identify, quantify, and locate elements within objects by detecting x-ray fluorescence (characteristic x-rays) stimulated by an excitation source, typically derived from a synchrotron. However, the use of a synchrotron limits practicality and accessibility of XFCT for routine biomedical imaging applications. Therefore, we have developed the ability to perform XFCT on a benchtop setting with ordinary polychromatic x-ray sources. Here, we report our postmortem study that demonstrates the use of benchtop XFCT to accurately image the distribution of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) injected into a tumor-bearing mouse. The distribution of GNPs as determined by benchtop XFCT was validated using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. This investigation shows drastically enhanced sensitivity and specificity of GNP detection and quantification with benchtop XFCT, up to two orders of magnitude better than conventional x-ray CT. The results also reaffirm the unique capabilities of benchtop XFCT for simultaneous determination of the spatial distribution and concentration of nonradioactive metallic probes, such as GNPs, within the context of small animal imaging. Overall, this investigation identifies a clear path toward in vivo molecular imaging using benchtop XFCT techniques in conjunction with GNPs and other metallic probes. PMID:26912068

Inter- and intraobserver reliability of the vertebral, local and segmental kyphosis in 120 traumatic lumbar and thoracic burst fractures: evaluation in lateral X-rays and sagittal computed tomographies

PubMed Central

Brunner, Alexander; Gühring, Markus; Schmälzle, Traude; Weise, Kuno; Badke, Andreas

2009-01-01

Evaluation of the kyphosis angle in thoracic and lumbar burst fractures is often used to indicate surgical procedures. The kyphosis angle could be measured as vertebral, segmental and local kyphosis according to the method of Cobb. The vertebral, segmental and local kyphosis according to the method of Cobb were measured at 120 lateral X-rays and sagittal computed tomographies of 60 thoracic and 60 lumbar burst fractures by 3 independent observers on 2 separate occasions. Osteoporotic fractures were excluded. The intra- and interobserver reliability of these angles in X-ray and computed tomogram, using the intra class correlation coefficient (ICC) were evaluated. Highest reproducibility showed the segmental kyphosis followed by the vertebral kyphosis. For thoracic fractures segmental kyphosis shows in X-ray “excellent” inter- and intraobserver reliabilities (ICC 0.826, 0.802) and for lumbar fractures “good” to “excellent” inter- and intraobserver reliabilities (ICC = 0.790, 0.803). In computed tomography, the segmental kyphosis showed “excellent” inter- and intraobserver reliabilities (ICC = 0.824, 0.801) for thoracic and “excellent” inter- and intraobserver reliabilities (ICC = 0.874, 0.835) for the lumbar fractures. Regarding both diagnostic work ups (X-ray and computed tomography), significant differences were evaluated in interobserver reliabilities for vertebral kyphosis measured in lumbar fracture X-rays (p = 0.035) and interobserver reliabilities for local kyphosis, measured in thoracic fracture X-rays (p = 0.010). Regarding both fracture localizations (thoracic and lumbar fractures), significant differences could only be evaluated in interobserver reliabilities for the local kyphosis measured in computed tomographies (p = 0.045) and in intraobserver reliabilities for the vertebral kyphosis measured in X-rays (p = 0.024). “Good” to “excellent” inter- and intraobserver reliabilities for vertebral, segmental and local

Development of X-ray computed tomography inspection facility for the H-II solid rocket boosters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sasaki, M.; Fujita, T.; Fukushima, Y.; Shimizu, M.; Itoh, S.; Satoh, A.; Miyamoto, H.

The National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) initiated the development of an X-ray computed tomography (CT) equipment for the H-II solid rocket boosters (SRBs) in 1987 for the purpose of minimizing inspection time and achieving high cost-effectiveness. The CT facility has been completed in Jan. 1991 in Tanegashima Space Center for the inspection of the SRBs transported from the manufacturer's factory to the launch site. It was first applied to the qualification model SRB from Feb. to Apr. in 1991. Through the CT inspection of the SRB, it has been confirmed that inspection time decreased significantly compared with the X-ray radiography method and that even an unskilled inspector could find various defects. As a result, the establishment of a new reliable inspection method for the SRB has been verified. In this paper, the following are discussed: (1) the defect detectability of the CT equipment using a dummy SRB with various artificial defects, (2) the performance comparison between the CT method and the X-ray radiography method, (3) the reliability of the CT equipment, and (4) the radiation shield design of the nondestructive test building.

How little data is enough? Phase-diagram analysis of sparsity-regularized X-ray computed tomography

PubMed Central

Jørgensen, J. S.; Sidky, E. Y.

2015-01-01

We introduce phase-diagram analysis, a standard tool in compressed sensing (CS), to the X-ray computed tomography (CT) community as a systematic method for determining how few projections suffice for accurate sparsity-regularized reconstruction. In CS, a phase diagram is a convenient way to study and express certain theoretical relations between sparsity and sufficient sampling. We adapt phase-diagram analysis for empirical use in X-ray CT for which the same theoretical results do not hold. We demonstrate in three case studies the potential of phase-diagram analysis for providing quantitative answers to questions of undersampling. First, we demonstrate that there are cases where X-ray CT empirically performs comparably with a near-optimal CS strategy, namely taking measurements with Gaussian sensing matrices. Second, we show that, in contrast to what might have been anticipated, taking randomized CT measurements does not lead to improved performance compared with standard structured sampling patterns. Finally, we show preliminary results of how well phase-diagram analysis can predict the sufficient number of projections for accurately reconstructing a large-scale image of a given sparsity by means of total-variation regularization. PMID:25939620

How little data is enough? Phase-diagram analysis of sparsity-regularized X-ray computed tomography.

PubMed

Jørgensen, J S; Sidky, E Y

2015-06-13

We introduce phase-diagram analysis, a standard tool in compressed sensing (CS), to the X-ray computed tomography (CT) community as a systematic method for determining how few projections suffice for accurate sparsity-regularized reconstruction. In CS, a phase diagram is a convenient way to study and express certain theoretical relations between sparsity and sufficient sampling. We adapt phase-diagram analysis for empirical use in X-ray CT for which the same theoretical results do not hold. We demonstrate in three case studies the potential of phase-diagram analysis for providing quantitative answers to questions of undersampling. First, we demonstrate that there are cases where X-ray CT empirically performs comparably with a near-optimal CS strategy, namely taking measurements with Gaussian sensing matrices. Second, we show that, in contrast to what might have been anticipated, taking randomized CT measurements does not lead to improved performance compared with standard structured sampling patterns. Finally, we show preliminary results of how well phase-diagram analysis can predict the sufficient number of projections for accurately reconstructing a large-scale image of a given sparsity by means of total-variation regularization.

Investigation of pathogen infiltration into produce using Xradia Bio MicroCT

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The internalization of human pathogens into plant tissues has received significant attention. Human pathogens can infiltrate plant tissue through stomata, cut edges, wounds on produce, or the plant vascular system. The nondestructive X-ray computed microtomography (MicroCT) technique is an X-ra...

Removing ring artefacts from synchrotron radiation-based hard x-ray tomography data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thalmann, Peter; Bikis, Christos; Schulz, Georg; Paleo, Pierre; Mirone, Alessandro; Rack, Alexander; Siegrist, Stefan; Cörek, Emre; Huwyler, Jörg; Müller, Bert

2017-09-01

In hard X-ray microtomography, ring artefacts regularly originate from incorrectly functioning pixel elements on the detector or from particles and scratches on the scintillator. We show that due to the high sensitivity of contemporary beamline setups further causes inducing inhomogeneities in the impinging wavefronts have to be considered. We propose in this study a method to correct the thereby induced failure of simple flatfield approaches. The main steps of the pipeline are (i) registration of the reference images with the radiographs (projections), (ii) integration of the flat-field corrected projection over the acquisition angle, (iii) high-pass filtering of the integrated projection, (iv) subtraction of filtered data from the flat-field corrected projections. The performance of the protocol is tested on data sets acquired at the beamline ID19 at ESRF using single distance phase tomography.

[The clinical and X-ray classification of osteonecrosis of the low jaw].

PubMed

Medvedev, Iu A; Basin, E M; Sokolina, I A

2013-01-01

To elaborate a clinical and X-ray classification of osteonecrosis of the low jaw in people with desomorphine or pervitin addiction. Ninety-two patients with drug addiction who had undergone orthopantomography, direct frontal X-ray of the skull, and multislice computed tomography, followed by multiplanar and three-dimensional imaging reconstruction were examined. One hundred thirty four X-ray films and 74 computed tomographic images were analyzed. The authors proposed a clinical and X-ray classification of osteonecrosis of the low jaw in people with desomorphine or pervitin addiction and elaborated recommendations for surgical interventions on the basis of the developed classification. The developed clinical and X-ray classification and recommendations for surgical interventions may be used to treat osteonecroses of various etiology.

Linking Intra-Aggregate Pore Size Distribution with Organic Matter Decomposition Status, Evidence from FTIR and X-Ray Tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Toosi, E. R.; Quigley, M.; Kravchenko, A. N.

2014-12-01

It has been reported that conversion of intensively cultivated lands to less disturbed systems enhances soil OM storage capacity, primarily through OM stabilization in macroaggregates. We hypothesized that the potential for OM stabilization inside macro-aggregates is influenced by presence and abundance of intra-aggregate pores. Pores determine microbial access to OM and regulate diffusion of solution/gases within aggregates which drives microbial functioning. We investigated the influence of longterm disturbance intensity on soil OM composition and its relation to pore size distribution within macroaggregates. We used quantitative FTIR to determine OM decomposition status and X-ray micro-tomography to assess pore size distribution in macroaggregates as affected by management and landuse. Macroaggregates 4-6 mm in size where selected from topsoil under long term conventional tillage (CT), cover-crop (CC), and native succession vegetation (NS) treatments at Kellogg Biological Station, Michigan. Comparison of main soil OM functional groups suggested that with increasing disturbance intensity, the proportion of aromatic and carboxylic/carbohydrates associated compounds increased and it was concomitant with a decrease in the proportion of aliphatic associated compounds and lignin derivatives. Further, FTIR-based decomposition indices revealed that overall decomposition status of macroaggregates followed the pattern of CT > CC ≈ NS. X-ray micro-tomography findings suggested that greater OM decomposition within the macroaggregates was associated with i) greater percent of pores >13 micron in size within the aggregates, as well as ii) greater proportion of small to medium pores (13-110 micron). The results develop previous findings, suggesting that shift in landuse or management indirectly affects soil OM stabilization through alteration of pore size distribution within macroaggregates that itself, is coupled with OM decomposition status.

X-Ray Polarization from High Mass X-Ray Binaries

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kallman, T.; Dorodnitsyn, A.; Blondin, J.

2015-01-01

X-ray astronomy allows study of objects which may be associated with compact objects, i.e. neutron stars or black holes, and also may contain strong magnetic fields. Such objects are categorically non-spherical, and likely non-circular when projected on the sky. Polarization allows study of such geometric effects, and X-ray polarimetry is likely to become feasible for a significant number of sources in the future. A class of potential targets for future X-ray polarization observations is the high mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs), which consist of a compact object in orbit with an early type star. In this paper we show that X-ray polarization from HMXBs has a distinct signature which depends on the source inclination and orbital phase. The presence of the X-ray source displaced from the star creates linear polarization even if the primary wind is spherically symmetric whenever the system is viewed away from conjunction. Direct X-rays dilute this polarization whenever the X-ray source is not eclipsed; at mid-eclipse the net polarization is expected to be small or zero if the wind is circularly symmetric around the line of centers. Resonance line scattering increases the scattering fraction, often by large factors, over the energy band spanned by resonance lines. Real winds are not expected to be spherically symmetric, or circularly symmetric around the line of centers, owing to the combined effects of the compact object gravity and ionization on the wind hydrodynamics. A sample calculation shows that this creates polarization fractions ranging up to tens of percent at mid-eclipse.

X-ray scanning of overhead aurorae from rockets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barcus, J. R.; Goldberg, R. A.; Gesell, L. H.

1981-01-01

Two Nike Tomahawk rocket payloads were launched into energetic auroral events in September, 1976 to investigate the structure of these events, as well as their effects on the atmosphere. X-ray scintillation detectors with energy discrimination in four ranges were used to measure the deposition of bremsstrahlung produced X-rays within the stratosphere and mesosphere. Iterative computer techniques were used to reconstruct X-ray source maps at 100 km, taking atmospheric absorption effects into account. Payload 18.178 was launched on September 21st into an aurora having two distinct azimuthal regions of optical brightness. The X-ray scanner detected the same features, and overlays of the X-ray source maps on all-sky photographs showed spatial coincidence of the X-ray with optical features at the lower energies (below 40 keV). Payload 18.179 was launched September 23rd into an aurora with a more diffuse character. The optical structure did not coincide as well with the measured X-ray structure. There was also an indication of a two-component spectrum for each event, with the hard component originating in the more diffuse, optically faint regions.

Comprehensive Experimental and Computational Spectroscopic Study of Hexacyanoferrate Complexes in Water: From Infrared to X-ray Wavelengths.

PubMed

Ross, Matthew; Andersen, Amity; Fox, Zachary W; Zhang, Yu; Hong, Kiryong; Lee, Jae-Hyuk; Cordones, Amy; March, Anne Marie; Doumy, Gilles; Southworth, Stephen H; Marcus, Matthew A; Schoenlein, Robert W; Mukamel, Shaul; Govind, Niranjan; Khalil, Munira

2018-05-17

We present a joint experimental and computational study of the hexacyanoferrate aqueous complexes at equilibrium in the 250 meV to 7.15 keV regime. The experiments and the computations include the vibrational spectroscopy of the cyanide ligands, the valence electronic absorption spectra, and Fe 1s core hole spectra using element-specific-resonant X-ray absorption and emission techniques. Density functional theory-based quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics molecular dynamics simulations are performed to generate explicit solute-solvent configurations, which serve as inputs for the spectroscopy calculations of the experiments spanning the IR to X-ray wavelengths. The spectroscopy simulations are performed at the same level of theory across this large energy window, which allows for a systematic comparison of the effects of explicit solute-solvent interactions in the vibrational, valence electronic, and core-level spectra of hexacyanoferrate complexes in water. Although the spectroscopy of hexacyanoferrate complexes in solution has been the subject of several studies, most of the previous works have focused on a narrow energy window and have not accounted for explicit solute-solvent interactions in their spectroscopy simulations. In this work, we focus our analysis on identifying how the local solvation environment around the hexacyanoferrate complexes influences the intensity and line shape of specific spectroscopic features in the UV/vis, X-ray absorption, and valence-to-core X-ray emission spectra. The identification of these features and their relationship to solute-solvent interactions is important because hexacyanoferrate complexes serve as model systems for understanding the photochemistry and photophysics of a large class of Fe(II) and Fe(III) complexes in solution.

High-speed classification of coherent X-ray diffraction patterns on the K computer for high-resolution single biomolecule imaging

PubMed Central

Tokuhisa, Atsushi; Arai, Junya; Joti, Yasumasa; Ohno, Yoshiyuki; Kameyama, Toyohisa; Yamamoto, Keiji; Hatanaka, Masayuki; Gerofi, Balazs; Shimada, Akio; Kurokawa, Motoyoshi; Shoji, Fumiyoshi; Okada, Kensuke; Sugimoto, Takashi; Yamaga, Mitsuhiro; Tanaka, Ryotaro; Yokokawa, Mitsuo; Hori, Atsushi; Ishikawa, Yutaka; Hatsui, Takaki; Go, Nobuhiro

2013-01-01

Single-particle coherent X-ray diffraction imaging using an X-ray free-electron laser has the potential to reveal the three-dimensional structure of a biological supra-molecule at sub-nanometer resolution. In order to realise this method, it is necessary to analyze as many as 1 × 106 noisy X-ray diffraction patterns, each for an unknown random target orientation. To cope with the severe quantum noise, patterns need to be classified according to their similarities and average similar patterns to improve the signal-to-noise ratio. A high-speed scalable scheme has been developed to carry out classification on the K computer, a 10PFLOPS supercomputer at RIKEN Advanced Institute for Computational Science. It is designed to work on the real-time basis with the experimental diffraction pattern collection at the X-ray free-electron laser facility SACLA so that the result of classification can be feedback for optimizing experimental parameters during the experiment. The present status of our effort developing the system and also a result of application to a set of simulated diffraction patterns is reported. About 1 × 106 diffraction patterns were successfully classificatied by running 255 separate 1 h jobs in 385-node mode. PMID:24121336

Be/X-ray Binary Science for Future X-ray Timing Missions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilson-Hodge, Colleen A.

2011-01-01

For future missions, the Be/X-ray binary community needs to clearly define our science priorities for the future to advocate for their inclusion in future missions. In this talk, I will describe current designs for two potential future missions and Be X-ray binary science enabled by these designs. The Large Observatory For X-ray Timing (LOFT) is an X-ray timing mission selected in February 2011 for the assessment phase from the 2010 ESA M3 call for proposals. The Advanced X-ray Timing ARray (AXTAR) is a NASA explorer concept X-ray timing mission. This talk is intended to initiate discussions of our science priorities for the future.

Abdomen X-Ray (Radiography)

MedlinePlus

... News Physician Resources Professions Site Index A-Z X-ray (Radiography) - Abdomen Abdominal x-ray uses a ... of an abdominal x-ray? What is abdominal x-ray? An x-ray (radiograph) is a noninvasive ...

Fine Output Voltage Control Method considering Time-Delay of Digital Inverter System for X-ray Computed Tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shibata, Junji; Kaneko, Kazuhide; Ohishi, Kiyoshi; Ando, Itaru; Ogawa, Mina; Takano, Hiroshi

This paper proposes a new output voltage control for an inverter system, which has time-delay and nonlinear load. In the next generation X-ray computed tomography of a medical device (X-ray CT) that uses the contactless power transfer method, the feedback signal often contains time-delay due to AD/DA conversion and error detection/correction time. When the PID controller of the inverter system is received the adverse effects of the time-delay, the controller often has an overshoot and a oscillated response. In order to overcome this problem, this paper proposes a compensation method based on the Smith predictor for an inverter system having a time-delay and the nonlinear loads which are the diode bridge rectifier and X-ray tube. The proposed compensation method consists of the hybrid Smith predictor system based on an equivalent analog circuit and DSP. The experimental results confirm the validity of the proposed system.

A search for X-ray polarization in cosmic X-ray sources. [binary X-ray sources and supernovae remnants

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hughes, J. P.; Long, K. S.; Novick, R.

1983-01-01

Fifteen strong X-ray sources were observed by the X-ray polarimeters on board the OSO-8 satellite from 1975 to 1978. The final results of this search for X-ray polarization in cosmic sources are presented in the form of upper limits for the ten sources which are discussed elsewhere. These limits in all cases are consistent with a thermal origin for the X-ray emission.

X-Ray Emission from the Soft X-Ray Transient Aquila X-1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tavani, Marco

1998-01-01

Aquila X-1 is the most prolific of soft X-ray transients. It is believed to contain a rapidly spinning neutron star sporadically accreting near the Eddington limit from a low-mass companion star. The interest in studying the repeated X-ray outbursts from Aquila X-1 is twofold: (1) studying the relation between optical, soft and hard X-ray emission during the outburst onset, development and decay; (2) relating the spectral component to thermal and non-thermal processes occurring near the magnetosphere and in the boundary layer of a time-variable accretion disk. Our investigation is based on the BATSE monitoring of Aquila X-1 performed by our group. We observed Aquila X-1 in 1997 and re-analyzed archival information obtained in April 1994 during a period of extraordinary outbursting activity of the source in the hard X-ray range. Our results allow, for the first time for this important source, to obtain simultaneous spectral information from 2 keV to 200 keV. A black body (T = 0.8 keV) plus a broken power-law spectrum describe accurately the 1994 spectrum. Substantial hard X-ray emission is evident in the data, confirming that the accretion phase during sub-Eddington limit episodes is capable of producing energetic hard emission near 5 x 10(exp 35) ergs(exp -1). A preliminary paper summarizes our results, and a more comprehensive account is being written. We performed a theoretical analysis of possible emission mechanisms, and confirmed that a non-thermal emission mechanism triggered in a highly sheared magnetosphere at the accretion disk inner boundary can explain the hard X-ray emission. An anticorrelation between soft and hard X-ray emission is indeed prominently observed as predicted by this model.

Impurity precipitation in atomized particles evidenced by nano x-ray diffraction computed tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bonnin, Anne; Wright, Jonathan P.; Tucoulou, Rémi; Palancher, Hervé

2014-08-01

Performances and physical properties of high technology materials are influenced or even determined by their initial microstructure and by the behavior of impurity phases. Characterizing these impurities and their relations with the surrounding matrix is therefore of primary importance but it unfortunately often requires a destructive approach, with the risk of misinterpreting the observations. The improvement we have done in high resolution X-ray diffraction computed tomography combined with the use of an X-ray nanoprobe allows non-destructive crystallographic description of materials with microscopic heterogeneous microstructure (with a grain size between 10 nm and 10 μm). In this study, the grain localization in a 2D slice of a 20 μm solidified atomized γU-Mo particle is shown and a minority U(C,O) phase (1 wt. %) with sub-micrometer sized grains was characterized inside. Evidence is presented showing that the onset of U(C,O) grain crystallization can be described by a precipitation mechanism since one single U-Mo grain has direct orientation relationship with more than one surrounding U(C,O) grains.

Middle ear bones of a mid-gestation ruminant foetus extracted from x-ray computed tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Costeur, Loic; Mennecart, Bastien; Müller, Bert; Schulz, Georg

2016-10-01

The timing of ossification of middle ear ossicles has been extensively studied in humans. This is an exception since it is vastly unknown in the +5000 extant species of placentals. As a preliminary approach, a cow foetus (around 115 days of gestation) was visualized using X-ray microtomography (μCT) and the ossicles including stapes, incus, and malleus could be extracted from the data set. All three bones have already undergone substantial ossification, which allow comparison to adult middle ear bones. Their ossification at this stage parallels ossification in humans at a comparable stage of gestation. While full ossification is not yet achieved almost all the morphological characters of the ossicles are observed. Bone tissue is still very porous, the stapes does not have the characteristic plate-like footplate, the lenticular process of the incus is missing and the manubrium of the malleus is very thin and not yet complete. Despite all this, the ossicles are articulate with each other and perfectly with the bony labyrinth. The stapes footplate is positioned on the oval window but is smaller than the latter while it should perfectly fit to transmit sound vibrations to the cochlea. All ossicles, especially the stapes, have not yet reached adult size, while the bony labyrinth already has. This is the first detailed description of a set of middle ear bones in a placental at mid-gestation based on high-resolution μCT. Similarities in ossification timing with humans encourage more work to be done on foetuses to understand if a general rule for placental mammals exists.

Quantitative wood–adhesive penetration with X-ray computed tomography

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Paris, Jesse L.; Kamke, Frederick A.

Micro X-ray computed tomography (XCT) was used to analyze the 3D adhesive penetration behavior of different wood–adhesive bondlines. Three adhesives, a phenol formaldehyde (PF), a polymeric diphenylmethane diisocyanate (pMDI), and a hybrid polyvinyl acetate (PVA), all tagged with iodine for enhanced X-ray attenuation, were used to prepare single-bondline laminates in two softwoods, Douglas-fir and loblolly pine, and one hardwood, a hybrid polar. Adhesive penetration depth was measured with two separate calculations, and results were compared with 2D fluorescent micrographs. A total of 54 XCT scans were collected, representing six replicates of each treatment type; each replicate, however, consisted of approximatelymore » 1500 individual, cross-section slices stacked along the specimen length. As these adhesives were highly modified, the presented results do not indicate typical behavior for their broader adhesive classes. Still, clear penetration differences were observed between each adhesive type, and between wood species bonded with both the PF and pMDI adhesives. Furthermore, penetration results depended on the calculation method used. Two adhesive types with noticeably different resin distributions in the cured bondline, showed relatively similar penetration depths when calculated with a traditional effective penetration equation. However, when the same data was calculated with a weighted penetration calculation, which accounts for both adhesive area and depth, the results appeared to better represent the different distributions depicted in the photomicrographs and tomograms. Additionally, individual replicate comparisons showed variation due to specimen anatomy, not easily observed or interpreted from 2D images. Finally, 3D views of segmented 3D adhesive phases offered unique, in-situ views of the cured adhesive structures. In particular, voids formed by CO 2 bubbles generated during pMDI cure were clearly visible in penetrated columns of the solidified

X-ray Computed Tomography Observation of Methane Hydrate Dissociation

USGS Publications Warehouse

Tomutsa, L.; Freifeld, B.; Kneafsey, T.J.; Stern, L.A.

2002-01-01

Deposits of naturally occurring methane hydrate have been identified in permafrost and deep oceanic environments with global reserves estimated to be twice the total amount of energy stored in fossil fuels. The fundamental behavior of methane hydrate in natural formations, while poorly understood, is of critical importance if the economic recovery of methane from hydrates is to be accomplished. In this study, computed X-ray tomography (CT) scanning is used to image an advancing dissociation front in a heterogeneous gas hydrate/sand sample at 0.1 MPa. The cylindrical methane hydrate and sand aggregate, 2.54 cm in diameter and 6.3 cm long, was contained in a PVC sample holder that was insulated on all but one end. At the uninsulated end, the dissociated gas was captured and the volume of gas monitored. The sample was initially imaged axially using X-ray CT scanning within the methane hydrate stability zone by keeping the sample temperature at 77??K. Subsequently, as the sample warmed through the methane hydrate dissociation point at 194??K and room pressure, gas was produced and the temperature at the bottom of the sample plug was monitored while CT images were acquired. The experiment showed that CT imaging can resolve the reduction in density (as seen by a reduction in beam attenuation) of the hydrate/sand aggregate due to the dissociation of methane hydrate. In addition, a comparison of CT images with gas flow and temperature measurements reveals that the CT scanner is able to resolve accurately and spatially the advancing dissociation front. Future experiments designed to better understand the thermodynamics of hydrate dissociation are planned to take advantage of the temporal and spatial resolution that the CT scanner provides.

X-ray cone-beam computed tomography: principles, applications, challenges and solutions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Noo, Frederic

2010-03-01

In the nineties, x-ray computed tomography, commonly referred to as CT, seemed to be on the track to become old technology, bound to be replaced by more sophisticated techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging, due in particular to the harmful effects of x-ray radiation exposure. Yet, the new century brought with it new technology that allowed a complete change in trends and re-affirmed CT as an essential tool in radiology. For instance, the popularity of CT in 2007 was such that approximately 68.7 million CT examinations were performed in the United States, which was nearly 2.5 times the number of magnetic resonance (MRI) examinations. More than that, CT has expanded beyond its conventional diagnostic role; CT is now used routinely in interventional radiology and also in radiation therapy treatment. The technology advances that allowed the revival of CT are those that made fast, accurate cone-beam data acquisition possible. Nowadays, cone-beam data acquisition allows scanning large volumes with isotropic sub-millimeter spatial resolution in a very fast time, which can be as short as 500ms for cardiac imaging. The principles of cone-beam imaging will be first reviewed. Then a discussion of its applications will be given. Old and new challenges will be presented along the way with current solutions.

"X-Ray Transients in Star-Forming Regions" and "Hard X-Ray Emission from X-Ray Bursters"

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Halpern, Jules P.; Kaaret, Philip

1999-01-01

This grant funded work on the analysis of data obtained with the Burst and Transient Experiment (BATSE) on the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory. The goal of the work was to search for hard x-ray transients in star forming regions using the all-sky hard x-ray monitoring capability of BATSE. Our initial work lead to the discovery of a hard x-ray transient, GRO J1849-03. Follow-up observations of this source made with the Wide Field Camera on BeppoSAX showed that the source should be identified with the previously known x-ray pulsar GS 1843-02 which itself is identified with the x-ray source X1845-024 originally discovered with the SAS-3 satellite. Our identification of the source and measurement of the outburst recurrence time, lead to the identification of the source as a Be/X-ray binary with a spin period of 94.8 s and an orbital period of 241 days. The funding was used primarily for partial salary and travel support for John Tomsick, then a graduate student at Columbia University. John Tomsick, now Dr. Tomsick, received his Ph.D. from Columbia University in July 1999, based partially on results obtained under this investigation. He is now a postdoctoral research scientist at the University of California, San Diego.

X-ray detectors in medical imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spahn, Martin

2013-12-01

Healthcare systems are subject to continuous adaptation, following trends such as the change of demographic structures, the rise of life-style related and chronic diseases, and the need for efficient and outcome-oriented procedures. This also influences the design of new imaging systems as well as their components. The applications of X-ray imaging in the medical field are manifold and have led to dedicated modalities supporting specific imaging requirements, for example in computed tomography (CT), radiography, angiography, surgery or mammography, delivering projection or volumetric imaging data. Depending on the clinical needs, some X-ray systems enable diagnostic imaging while others support interventional procedures. X-ray detector design requirements for the different medical applications can vary strongly with respect to size and shape, spatial resolution, frame rates and X-ray flux, among others. Today, integrating X-ray detectors are in common use. They are predominantly based on scintillators (e.g. CsI or Gd2O2S) and arrays of photodiodes made from crystalline silicon (Si) or amorphous silicon (a-Si) or they employ semiconductors (e.g. Se) with active a-Si readout matrices. Ongoing and future developments of X-ray detectors will include optimization of current state-of-the-art integrating detectors in terms of performance and cost, will enable the usage of large size CMOS-based detectors, and may facilitate photon counting techniques with the potential to further enhance performance characteristics and foster the prospect of new clinical applications.

Three Dimensional Structures of Particles Recovered from the Asteroid Itokawa by the Hayabusa Mission and a Role of X-Ray Microtomography in the Preliminary Examination

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tsuchiyama, A.; Uesugi, M.; Uesugi, K.; Nakano, T.; Nakamura, T.; Noguchi, T.; Noguchi, R.; Matsumoto, T.; Matsuno, J.; Nagano, T.;

New applications of x-ray tomography in pyrolysis of biomass: biochar imaging

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

We report on the first ever use of non-destructive micrometer-scale synchrotron computed microtomography for characterization of biochar materials as a function of pyrolysis temperature. Using this innovative approach we have observed an increase in marcropore fraction of the sample, resulting in 29...

Temporal sparsity exploiting nonlocal regularization for 4D computed tomography reconstruction

PubMed Central

Kazantsev, Daniil; Guo, Enyu; Kaestner, Anders; Lionheart, William R. B.; Bent, Julian; Withers, Philip J.; Lee, Peter D.

2016-01-01

X-ray imaging applications in medical and material sciences are frequently limited by the number of tomographic projections collected. The inversion of the limited projection data is an ill-posed problem and needs regularization. Traditional spatial regularization is not well adapted to the dynamic nature of time-lapse tomography since it discards the redundancy of the temporal information. In this paper, we propose a novel iterative reconstruction algorithm with a nonlocal regularization term to account for time-evolving datasets. The aim of the proposed nonlocal penalty is to collect the maximum relevant information in the spatial and temporal domains. With the proposed sparsity seeking approach in the temporal space, the computational complexity of the classical nonlocal regularizer is substantially reduced (at least by one order of magnitude). The presented reconstruction method can be directly applied to various big data 4D (x, y, z+time) tomographic experiments in many fields. We apply the proposed technique to modelled data and to real dynamic X-ray microtomography (XMT) data of high resolution. Compared to the classical spatio-temporal nonlocal regularization approach, the proposed method delivers reconstructed images of improved resolution and higher contrast while remaining significantly less computationally demanding. PMID:27002902

Lumbosacral spine x-ray

MedlinePlus

X-ray - lumbosacral spine; X-ray - lower spine ... The test is done in a hospital x-ray department or your health care provider's office by an x-ray technician. You will be asked to lie on the x-ray ...

X-ray ptychography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pfeiffer, Franz

2018-01-01

X-ray ptychographic microscopy combines the advantages of raster scanning X-ray microscopy with the more recently developed techniques of coherent diffraction imaging. It is limited neither by the fabricational challenges associated with X-ray optics nor by the requirements of isolated specimen preparation, and offers in principle wavelength-limited resolution, as well as stable access and solution to the phase problem. In this Review, we discuss the basic principles of X-ray ptychography and summarize the main milestones in the evolution of X-ray ptychographic microscopy and tomography over the past ten years, since its first demonstration with X-rays. We also highlight the potential for applications in the life and materials sciences, and discuss the latest advanced concepts and probable future developments.

TomoBank: a tomographic data repository for computational x-ray science

DOE PAGES

De Carlo, Francesco; Gürsoy, Doğa; Ching, Daniel J.; ...

2018-02-08

There is a widening gap between the fast advancement of computational methods for tomographic reconstruction and their successful implementation in production software at various synchrotron facilities. This is due in part to the lack of readily available instrument datasets and phantoms representative of real materials for validation and comparison of new numerical methods. Recent advancements in detector technology made sub-second and multi-energy tomographic data collection possible [1], but also increased the demand to develop new reconstruction methods able to handle in-situ [2] and dynamic systems [3] that can be quickly incorporated in beamline production software [4]. The X-ray Tomography Datamore » Bank, tomoBank, provides a repository of experimental and simulated datasets with the aim to foster collaboration among computational scientists, beamline scientists, and experimentalists and to accelerate the development and implementation of tomographic reconstruction methods for synchrotron facility production software by providing easy access to challenging dataset and their descriptors.« less

A Dedicated Micro-Tomography Beamline For The Australian Synchrotron

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mayo, Sheridan C.; Stevenson, Andrew W.; Wilkins, Stephen W.

2010-07-23

A dedicated micro-tomography beamline is proposed for the Australian Synchrotron. It will enable high-resolution micro-tomography with resolution below a micron and supporting phase-contrast imaging modes. A key feature of the beamline will be high-throughput/high-speed operation enabling near real-time micro-tomography.

Atomic Data in X-Ray Astrophysics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brickhouse, N. S.

2000-01-01

With the launches of the Chandra X-ray Observatory (CXO) and the X-ray Multimirror Mission (XMM) and the upcoming launch of the Japanese mission ASTRO-E, high resolution X-ray spectroscopy of cosmic sources has begun. Early, deep observations of three stellar coronal sources will provide not only invaluable calibration data, but will also give us benchmarks for the atomic data under collisional equilibrium conditions. Analysis of the Chandra X-ray Observatory data, and data from other telescopes taken simultaneously, for these stars is ongoing as part of the Emission Line Project. Goals of the Emission Line Project are: (1) to determine and verify accurate and robust diagnostics and (2) to identify and prioritize issues in fundamental spectroscopy which will require further theoretical and/or laboratory work. The Astrophysical Plasma Emission Database will be described in some detail, as it is introducing standardization and flexibility into X-ray spectral modeling. Spectral models of X-ray astrophysical plasmas can be generally classified as dominated by either collisional ionization or by X-ray photoionization. While the atomic data needs for spectral models under these two types of ionization are significantly different, there axe overlapping data needs, as I will describe. Early results from the Emission Line Project benchmarks are providing an invaluable starting place, but continuing work to improve the accuracy and completeness of atomic data is needed. Additionally, we consider the possibility that some sources will require that both collisional ionization and photoionization be taken into account, or that time-dependent ionization be considered. Thus plasma spectral models of general use need to be computed over a wide range of physical conditions.

Non-destructive determination of floral staging in cereals using X-ray micro computed tomography (µCT).

PubMed

Tracy, Saoirse R; Gómez, José Fernández; Sturrock, Craig J; Wilson, Zoe A; Ferguson, Alison C

2017-01-01

Accurate floral staging is required to aid research into pollen and flower development, in particular male development. Pollen development is highly sensitive to stress and is critical for crop yields. Research into male development under environmental change is important to help target increased yields. This is hindered in monocots as the flower develops internally in the pseudostem. Floral staging studies therefore typically rely on destructive analysis, such as removal from the plant, fixation, staining and sectioning. This time-consuming analysis therefore prevents follow up studies and analysis past the point of the floral staging. This study focuses on using X-ray µCT scanning to allow quick and detailed non-destructive internal 3D phenotypic information to allow accurate staging of Arabidopsis thaliana L. and Barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) flowers. X-ray µCT has previously relied on fixation methods for above ground tissue, therefore two contrast agents (Lugol's iodine and Bismuth) were observed in Arabidopsis and Barley in planta to circumvent this step. 3D models and 2D slices were generated from the X-ray µCT images providing insightful information normally only available through destructive time-consuming processes such as sectioning and microscopy. Barley growth and development was also monitored over three weeks by X-ray µCT to observe flower development in situ. By measuring spike size in the developing tillers accurate non-destructive staging at the flower and anther stages could be performed; this staging was confirmed using traditional destructive microscopic analysis. The use of X-ray micro computed tomography (µCT) scanning of living plant tissue offers immense benefits for plant phenotyping, for successive developmental measurements and for accurate developmental timing for scientific measurements. Nevertheless, X-ray µCT remains underused in plant sciences, especially in above-ground organs, despite its unique potential in delivering

MCNP6 simulation of radiographs generated from megaelectron volt X-rays for characterizing a computed tomography system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dooraghi, Alex A.; Tringe, Joseph W.

2018-04-01

To evaluate conventional munition, we simulated an x-ray computed tomography (CT) system for generating radiographs from nominal x-ray energies of 6 or 9 megaelectron volts (MeV). CT simulations, informed by measured data, allow for optimization of both system design and acquisition techniques necessary to enhance image quality. MCNP6 radiographic simulation tools were used to model ideal detector responses (DR) that assume either (1) a detector response proportional to photon flux (N) or (2) a detector response proportional to energy flux (E). As scatter may become significant with MeV x-ray systems, simulations were performed with and without the inclusion of object scatter. Simulations were compared against measurements of a cylindrical munition component principally composed of HMX, tungsten and aluminum encased in carbon fiber. Simulations and measurements used a 6 MeV peak energy x-ray spectrum filtered with 3.175 mm of tantalum. A detector response proportional to energy which includes object scatter agrees to within 0.6 % of the measured line integral of the linear attenuation coefficient. Exclusion of scatter increases the difference between measurement and simulation to 5 %. A detector response proportional to photon flux agrees to within 20 % when object scatter is included in the simulation and 27 % when object scatter is excluded.

Dose in x-ray computed tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kalender, Willi A.

2014-02-01

Radiation dose in x-ray computed tomography (CT) has become a topic of high interest due to the increasing numbers of CT examinations performed worldwide. This review aims to present an overview of current concepts for both scanner output metrics and for patient dosimetry and will comment on their strengths and weaknesses. Controversial issues such as the appropriateness of the CT dose index (CTDI) are discussed in detail. A review of approaches to patient dose assessment presently in practice, of the dose levels encountered and options for further dose optimization are also given and discussed. Patient dose assessment remains a topic for further improvement and for international consensus. All approaches presently in use are based on Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. Estimates for effective dose are established, but they are crude and not patient-specific; organ dose estimates are rarely available. Patient- and organ-specific dose estimates can be provided with adequate accuracy and independent of CTDI phantom measurements by fast MC simulations. Such information, in particular on 3D dose distributions, is important and helpful in optimization efforts. Dose optimization has been performed very successfully in recent years and even resulted in applications with effective dose values of below 1 mSv. In general, a trend towards lower dose values based on technical innovations has to be acknowledged. Effective dose values are down to clearly below 10 mSv on average, and there are a number of applications such as cardiac and pediatric CT which are performed routinely below 1 mSv on modern equipment.

Fast estimation of first-order scattering in a medical x-ray computed tomography scanner using a ray-tracing technique.

PubMed

Liu, Xin

2014-01-01

This study describes a deterministic method for simulating the first-order scattering in a medical computed tomography scanner. The method was developed based on a physics model of x-ray photon interactions with matter and a ray tracing technique. The results from simulated scattering were compared to the ones from an actual scattering measurement. Two phantoms with homogeneous and heterogeneous material distributions were used in the scattering simulation and measurement. It was found that the simulated scatter profile was in agreement with the measurement result, with an average difference of 25% or less. Finally, tomographic images with artifacts caused by scatter were corrected based on the simulated scatter profiles. The image quality improved significantly.

3D spectral imaging with synchrotron Fourier transform infrared spectro-microtomography

Treesearch

Michael C. Martin; Charlotte Dabat-Blondeau; Miriam Unger; Julia Sedlmair; Dilworth Y. Parkinson; Hans A. Bechtel; Barbara Illman; Jonathan M. Castro; Marco Keiluweit; David Buschke; Brenda Ogle; Michael J. Nasse; Carol J. Hirschmugl

2013-01-01

We report Fourier transform infrared spectro-microtomography, a nondestructive three-dimensional imaging approach that reveals the distribution of distinctive chemical compositions throughout an intact biological or materials sample. The method combines mid-infrared absorption contrast with computed tomographic data acquisition and reconstruction to enhance chemical...

X-Ray Detector Simulations - Oral Presentation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tina, Adrienne

2015-08-20

The free-electron laser at LCLS produces X-Rays that are used in several facilities. This light source is so bright and quick that we are capable of producing movies of objects like proteins. But making these movies would not be possible without a device that can detect the X-Rays and produce images. We need X-Ray cameras. The challenges LCLS faces include the X-Rays’ high repetition rate of 120 Hz, short pulses that can reach 200 femto-seconds, and extreme peak brightness. We need detectors that are compatible with this light source, but before they can be used in the facilities, they mustmore » first be characterized. My project was to do just that, by making a computer simulation program. My presentation discusses the individual detectors I simulated, the details of my program, and how my project will help determine which detector is most useful for a specific experiment.« less

UNDERSTANDING X-RAY STARS:. The Discovery of Binary X-ray Sources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schreier, E. J.; Tananbaum, H.

2000-09-01

The discovery of binary X-ray sources with UHURU introduced many new concepts to astronomy. It provided the canonical model which explained X-ray emission from a large class of galactic X-ray sources: it confirmed the existence of collapsed objects as the source of intense X-ray emission; showed that such collapsed objects existed in binary systems, with mass accretion as the energy source for the X-ray emission; and provided compelling evidence for the existence of black holes. This model also provided the basis for explaining the power source of AGNs and QSOs. The process of discovery and interpretation also established X-ray astronomy as an essential sub-discipline of astronomy, beginning its incorporation into the mainstream of astronomy.

Thoracic spine x-ray

MedlinePlus

Vertebral radiography; X-ray - spine; Thoracic x-ray; Spine x-ray; Thoracic spine films; Back films ... The test is done in a hospital radiology department or in the health care provider's office. You will lie on the x-ray table in different positions. If the x-ray ...

X-ray binaries

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1976-01-01

Satellite X-ray experiments and ground-based programs aimed at observation of X-ray binaries are discussed. Experiments aboard OAO-3, OSO-8, Ariel 5, Uhuru, and Skylab are included along with rocket and ground-based observations. Major topics covered are: Her X-1, Cyg X-3, Cen X-3, Cyg X-1, the transient source A0620-00, other possible X-ray binaries, and plans and prospects for future observational programs.

Computation of the Transmitted and Polarized Scattered Fluxes by the Exoplanet HD 189733b in X-Rays

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Marin, Frédéric; Grosso, Nicolas, E-mail: frederic.marin@astro.unistra.fr

2017-02-01

Thousands of exoplanets have been detected, but only one exoplanetary transit was potentially observed in X-rays from HD 189733A. What makes the detection of exoplanets so difficult in this band? To answer this question, we run Monte-Carlo radiative transfer simulations to estimate the amount of X-ray flux reprocessed by HD 189733b. Despite its extended evaporating atmosphere, we find that the X-ray absorption radius of HD 189733b at 0.7 keV, which is the mean energy of the photons detected in the 0.25–2 keV energy band by XMM-Newton , is ∼1.01 times the planetary radius for an atmosphere of atomic hydrogen andmore » helium (including ions), and produces a maximum depth of ∼2.1% at ∼±46 minutes from the center of the planetary transit on the geometrically thick and optically thin corona. We compute numerically in the 0.25–2 keV energy band that this maximum depth is only of ∼1.6% at ∼±47 minutes from the transit center, and not very sensitive to the metal abundance, assuming that adding metals in the atmosphere would not dramatically change the density–temperature profile. Regarding a direct detection of HD 189733b in X-rays, we find that the amount of flux reprocessed by the exoplanetary atmosphere varies with the orbital phase, spanning between three and five orders of magnitude fainter than the flux of the primary star. Additionally, the degree of linear polarization emerging from HD 189733b is <0.003%, with maximums detected near planetary greatest elongations. This implies that both the modulation of the X-ray flux with the orbital phase and the scatter-induced continuum polarization cannot be observed with current X-ray facilities.« less

[Characteristics of specifications of transportable inverter-type X-ray equipment].

PubMed

Yamamoto, Keiichi; Miyazaki, Shigeru; Asano, Hiroshi; Shinohara, Fuminori; Ishikawa, Mitsuo; Ide, Toshinori; Abe, Shinji; Negishi, Toru; Miyake, Hiroyuki; Imai, Yoshio; Okuaki, Tomoyuki

2003-07-01

Our X-ray systems study group measured and examined the characteristics of four transportable inverter-type X-ray equipments. X-ray tube voltage and X-ray tube current were measured with the X-ray tube voltage and the X-ray tube current measurement terminals provided with the equipment. X-ray tube voltage, irradiation time, and dose were measured with a non-invasive X-ray tube voltage-measuring device, and X-ray output was measured by fluorescence meter. The items investigated were the reproducibility and linearity of X-ray output, error of pre-set X-ray tube voltage and X-ray tube current, and X-ray tube voltage ripple percentage. The waveforms of X-ray tube voltage, the X-ray tube current, and fluorescence intensity draw were analyzed using the oscilloscope gram and a personal computer. All of the equipment had a preset error of X-ray tube voltage and X-ray tube current that met JIS standards. The X-ray tube voltage ripple percentage of each equipment conformed to the tendency to decrease when X-ray tube voltage increased. Although the X-ray output reproducibility of system A exceeded the JIS standard, the other systems were within the JIS standard. Equipment A required 40 ms for X-ray tube current to reach the target value, and there was some X-ray output loss because of a trough in X-ray tube current. Owing to the influence of the ripple in X-ray tube current, the strength of the fluorescence waveform rippled in equipments B and C. Waveform analysis could not be done by aliasing of the recording device in equipment D. The maximum X-ray tube current of transportable inverter-type X-ray equipment is as low as 10-20 mA, and the irradiation time of chest X-ray photography exceeds 0.1 sec. However, improvement of the radiophotographic technique is required for patients who cannot move their bodies or halt respiration. It is necessary to make the irradiation time of the equipments shorter for remote medical treatment.

Skull x-ray

MedlinePlus

X-ray - head; X-ray - skull; Skull radiography; Head x-ray ... Chernecky CC, Berger BJ. Radiography of skull, chest, and cervical spine - diagnostic. In: Chernecky CC, Berger BJ, eds. Laboratory Tests and Diagnostic Procedures . 6th ed. ...

Full-field transmission x-ray imaging with confocal polycapillary x-ray optics

PubMed Central

Sun, Tianxi; MacDonald, C. A.

2013-01-01

A transmission x-ray imaging setup based on a confocal combination of a polycapillary focusing x-ray optic followed by a polycapillary collimating x-ray optic was designed and demonstrated to have good resolution, better than the unmagnified pixel size and unlimited by the x-ray tube spot size. This imaging setup has potential application in x-ray imaging for small samples, for example, for histology specimens. PMID:23460760

X-ray generator

DOEpatents

Dawson, John M.

1976-01-01

Apparatus and method for producing coherent secondary x-rays that are controlled as to direction by illuminating a mixture of high z and low z gases with an intense burst of primary x-rays. The primary x-rays are produced with a laser activated plasma, and these x-rays strip off the electrons of the high z atoms in the lasing medium, while the low z atoms retain their electrons. The neutral atoms transfer electrons to highly excited states of the highly striped high z ions giving an inverted population which produces the desired coherent x-rays. In one embodiment, a laser, light beam provides a laser spark that produces the intense burst of coherent x-rays that illuminates the mixture of high z and low z gases, whereby the high z atoms are stripped while the low z ones are not, giving the desired mixture of highly ionized and neutral atoms. To this end, the laser spark is produced by injecting a laser light beam, or a plurality of beams, into a first gas in a cylindrical container having an adjacent second gas layer co-axial therewith, the laser producing a plasma and the intense primary x-rays in the first gas, and the second gas containing the high and low atomic number elements for receiving the primary x-rays, whereupon the secondary x-rays are produced therein by stripping desired ions in a neutral gas and transfer of electrons to highly excited states of the stripped ions from the unionized atoms. Means for magnetically confining and stabilizing the plasma are disclosed for controlling the direction of the x-rays.

Iodine X-ray fluorescence computed tomography system utilizing a cadmium telluride detector in conjunction with a cerium-target tube

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hagiwara, Osahiko; Watanabe, Manabu; Sato, Eiichi; Matsukiyo, Hiroshi; Osawa, Akihiro; Enomoto, Toshiyuki; Nagao, Jiro; Sato, Shigehiro; Ogawa, Akira; Onagawa, Jun

2011-06-01

An X-ray fluorescence computed tomography system (XRF-CT) is useful for determining the main atoms in objects. To detect iodine atoms without using a synchrotron, we developed an XRF-CT system utilizing a cadmium telluride (CdTe) detector and a cerium X-ray generator. CT is performed by repeated linear scans and rotations of an object. When cerium K-series characteristic X-rays are absorbed by iodine atoms in objects, iodine K fluorescence is produced from atoms and is detected by the CdTe detector. Next, event signals of X-ray photons are produced with the use of charge-sensitive and shaping amplifiers. Iodine Kα fluorescence is isolated using a multichannel analyzer, and the number of photons is counted using a counter card. In energy-dispersive XRF-CT, the tube voltage and tube current were 70 kV and 0.40 mA, respectively, and the X-ray intensity was 115.3 μGy/s at a distance of 1.0 m from the source. The demonstration of XRF-CT was carried out by the selection of photons in an energy range from 27.5 to 29.5 keV with a photon-energy resolution of 1.2 keV.

TomoBank: a tomographic data repository for computational x-ray science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Carlo, Francesco; Gürsoy, Doğa; Ching, Daniel J.; Joost Batenburg, K.; Ludwig, Wolfgang; Mancini, Lucia; Marone, Federica; Mokso, Rajmund; Pelt, Daniël M.; Sijbers, Jan; Rivers, Mark

2018-03-01

There is a widening gap between the fast advancement of computational methods for tomographic reconstruction and their successful implementation in production software at various synchrotron facilities. This is due in part to the lack of readily available instrument datasets and phantoms representative of real materials for validation and comparison of new numerical methods. Recent advancements in detector technology have made sub-second and multi-energy tomographic data collection possible (Gibbs et al 2015 Sci. Rep. 5 11824), but have also increased the demand to develop new reconstruction methods able to handle in situ (Pelt and Batenburg 2013 IEEE Trans. Image Process. 22 5238-51) and dynamic systems (Mohan et al 2015 IEEE Trans. Comput. Imaging 1 96-111) that can be quickly incorporated in beamline production software (Gürsoy et al 2014 J. Synchrotron Radiat. 21 1188-93). The x-ray tomography data bank, tomoBank, provides a repository of experimental and simulated datasets with the aim to foster collaboration among computational scientists, beamline scientists, and experimentalists and to accelerate the development and implementation of tomographic reconstruction methods for synchrotron facility production software by providing easy access to challenging datasets and their descriptors.

Quantifying intermediate-frequency heterogeneities of SOFC electrodes using X-ray computed tomography

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Epting, William K.; Mansley, Zachary; Menasche, David B.

2017-03-03

The electrodes in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) consist of three phases interconnected in three dimensions. The volume needed to describe quantitatively such microstructures depends on several lengths scales, which are functions of materials properties and fabrication methods. This work focuses on quantifying the volume needed to represent “intermediate frequency” heterogeneities in electrodes of a commercial SOFC using X-ray computed tomography (CT) over two different length scales. Electrode volumes of 150 x 150 x 9 μm 3 were extracted from a synchrotron-based micro-CT data set, with 13 μm 3 voxels. 13.6 x 19.8 x 19.4 μm 3 of the cathodemore » and 26.3 x 24.8 x 15.7 μm 3 of the anode were extracted from laboratory nano-CT data sets, both with 65 3 nm 3 voxels. After comparing the variation across sub-regions for the greyscale values from the micro-CT, and for the phase fractions and triple phase boundary densities from the nano-CT, it was found that the sub-region length scales needed to yield statistically similar average values were an order of magnitude larger than those expected to capture the “high frequency” heterogeneity related to the discrete nature of the three phases in electrodes. In conclusion, the challenge of quantifying such electrodes using available experimental methods is discussed.« less

X-ray lithography masking

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, Henry I. (Inventor); Lim, Michael (Inventor); Carter, James (Inventor); Schattenburg, Mark (Inventor)

1998-01-01

X-ray masking apparatus includes a frame having a supporting rim surrounding an x-ray transparent region, a thin membrane of hard inorganic x-ray transparent material attached at its periphery to the supporting rim covering the x-ray transparent region and a layer of x-ray opaque material on the thin membrane inside the x-ray transparent region arranged in a pattern to selectively transmit x-ray energy entering the x-ray transparent region through the membrane to a predetermined image plane separated from the layer by the thin membrane. A method of making the masking apparatus includes depositing back and front layers of hard inorganic x-ray transparent material on front and back surfaces of a substrate, depositing back and front layers of reinforcing material on the back and front layers, respectively, of the hard inorganic x-ray transparent material, removing the material including at least a portion of the substrate and the back layers of an inside region adjacent to the front layer of hard inorganic x-ray transparent material, removing a portion of the front layer of reinforcing material opposite the inside region to expose the surface of the front layer of hard inorganic x-ray transparent material separated from the inside region by the latter front layer, and depositing a layer of x-ray opaque material on the surface of the latter front layer adjacent to the inside region.

Sinus x-ray

MedlinePlus

Paranasal sinus radiography; X-ray - sinuses ... sinus x-ray is taken in a hospital radiology department. Or the x-ray may be taken ... Brown J, Rout J. ENT, neck, and dental radiology. In: Adam A, Dixon AK, Gillard JH, Schaefer- ...

X-Ray Data Booklet

Science.gov Websites

X-RAY DATA BOOKLET Center for X-ray Optics and Advanced Light Source Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Introduction X-Ray Properties of Elements Electron Binding Energies X-Ray Energy Emission Energies Table of X-Ray Properties Synchrotron Radiation Characteristics of Synchrotron Radiation History of X

The rotation-powered nature of some soft gamma-ray repeaters and anomalous X-ray pulsars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coelho, Jaziel G.; Cáceres, D. L.; de Lima, R. C. R.; Malheiro, M.; Rueda, J. A.; Ruffini, R.

2017-03-01

Context. Soft gamma-ray repeaters (SGRs) and anomalous X-ray pulsars (AXPs) are slow rotating isolated pulsars whose energy reservoir is still matter of debate. Adopting neutron star (NS) fiducial parameters; mass M = 1.4 M⊙, radius R = 10 km, and moment of inertia, I = 1045 g cm2, the rotational energy loss, Ėrot, is lower than the observed luminosity (dominated by the X-rays) LX for many of the sources. Aims: We investigate the possibility that some members of this family could be canonical rotation-powered pulsars using realistic NS structure parameters instead of fiducial values. Methods: We compute the NS mass, radius, moment of inertia and angular momentum from numerical integration of the axisymmetric general relativistic equations of equilibrium. We then compute the entire range of allowed values of the rotational energy loss, Ėrot, for the observed values of rotation period P and spin-down rate Ṗ. We also estimate the surface magnetic field using a general relativistic model of a rotating magnetic dipole. Results: We show that realistic NS parameters lowers the estimated value of the magnetic field and radiation efficiency, LX/Ėrot, with respect to estimates based on fiducial NS parameters. We show that nine SGRs/AXPs can be described as canonical pulsars driven by the NS rotational energy, for LX computed in the soft (2-10 keV) X-ray band. We compute the range of NS masses for which LX/Ėrot< 1. We discuss the observed hard X-ray emission in three sources of the group of nine potentially rotation-powered NSs. This additional hard X-ray component dominates over the soft one leading to LX/Ėrot > 1 in two of them. Conclusions: We show that 9 SGRs/AXPs can be rotation-powered NSs if we analyze their X-ray luminosity in the soft 2-10 keV band. Interestingly, four of them show radio emission and six have been associated with supernova remnants (including Swift J1834.9-0846 the first SGR observed with a surrounding wind nebula). These observations give

Energy discriminating x-ray camera utilizing a cadmium telluride detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sato, Eiichi; Purkhet, Abderyim; Matsukiyo, Hiroshi; Osawa, Akihiro; Enomoto, Toshiyuki; Wantanabe, Manabu; Nagao, Jiro; Nomiya, Seiichiro; Hitomi, Keitaro; Tanaka, Etsuro; Kawai, Toshiaki; Sato, Shigehiro; Ogawa, Akira; Onagawa, Jun

2009-07-01

An energy-discriminating x-ray camera is useful for performing monochromatic radiography using polychromatic x rays. This x-ray camera was developed to carry out K-edge radiography using iodine-based contrast media. In this camera, objects are exposed by a cone beam from a cerium x-ray generator, and penetrating x-ray photons are detected by a cadmium telluride detector with an amplifier unit. The optimal x-ray photon energy and the energy width are selected out using a multichannel analyzer, and the photon number is counted by a counter card. Radiography was performed by the detector scanning using an x-y stage driven by a two-stage controller, and radiograms obtained by energy discriminating are shown on a personal computer monitor. In radiography, the tube voltage and current were 60 kV and 36 μA, respectively, and the x-ray intensity was 4.7 μGy/s. Cerium K-series characteristic x rays are absorbed effectively by iodine-based contrast media, and iodine K-edge radiography was performed using x rays with energies just beyond iodine K-edge energy 33.2 keV.

Recent X-ray Variability of Eta Car Approaching The X-ray Eclipse

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Corcoran, M.; Swank, J. H.; Ishibashi, K.; Gull, T.; Humphreys, R.; Damineli, A.; Walborn, N.; Hillier, D. J.; Davidson, K.; White, S. M.

2002-01-01

We discuss recent X-ray spectral variability of the supermassive star Eta Car in the interval since the last X-ray eclipse in 1998. We concentrate on the interval just prior to the next X-ray eclipse which is expected to occur in June 2003. We compare the X-ray behavior during the 2001-2003 cycle with the previous cycle (1996-1998) and note similarities and differences in the temporal X-ray behavior. We also compare a recent X-ray observation of Eta Car obtained with the Chandra high energy transmission grating in October 2002 with an earlier observation from Nov 2002, and interpret these results in terms of the proposed colliding wind binary model for the star. In addition we discuss planned observations for the upcoming X-ray eclipse.

Quantitative X-ray fluorescence computed tomography for low-Z samples using an iterative absorption correction algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Rong; Limburg, Karin; Rohtla, Mehis

2017-05-01

X-ray fluorescence computed tomography is often used to measure trace element distributions within low-Z samples, using algorithms capable of X-ray absorption correction when sample self-absorption is not negligible. Its reconstruction is more complicated compared to transmission tomography, and therefore not widely used. We describe in this paper a very practical iterative method that uses widely available transmission tomography reconstruction software for fluorescence tomography. With this method, sample self-absorption can be corrected not only for the absorption within the measured layer but also for the absorption by material beyond that layer. By combining tomography with analysis for scanning X-ray fluorescence microscopy, absolute concentrations of trace elements can be obtained. By using widely shared software, we not only minimized the coding, took advantage of computing efficiency of fast Fourier transform in transmission tomography software, but also thereby accessed well-developed data processing tools coming with well-known and reliable software packages. The convergence of the iterations was also carefully studied for fluorescence of different attenuation lengths. As an example, fish eye lenses could provide valuable information about fish life-history and endured environmental conditions. Given the lens's spherical shape and sometimes the short distance from sample to detector for detecting low concentration trace elements, its tomography data are affected by absorption related to material beyond the measured layer but can be reconstructed well with our method. Fish eye lens tomography results are compared with sliced lens 2D fluorescence mapping with good agreement, and with tomography providing better spatial resolution.

Engine materials characterization and damage monitoring by using x ray technologies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baaklini, George Y.

1993-01-01

X ray attenuation measurement systems that are capable of characterizing density variations in monolithic ceramics and damage due to processing and/or mechanical testing in ceramic and intermetallic matrix composites are developed and applied. Noninvasive monitoring of damage accumulation and failure sequences in ceramic matrix composites is used during room-temperature tensile testing. This work resulted in the development of a point-scan digital radiography system and an in situ x ray material testing system. The former is used to characterize silicon carbide and silicon nitride specimens, and the latter is used to image the failure behavior of silicon-carbide-fiber-reinforced, reaction-bonded silicon nitride matrix composites. State-of-the-art x ray computed tomography is investigated to determine its capabilities and limitations in characterizing density variations of subscale engine components (e.g., a silicon carbide rotor, a silicon nitride blade, and a silicon-carbide-fiber-reinforced beta titanium matrix rod, rotor, and ring). Microfocus radiography, conventional radiography, scanning acoustic microscopy, and metallography are used to substantiate the x ray computed tomography findings. Point-scan digital radiography is a viable technique for characterizing density variations in monolithic ceramic specimens. But it is very limited and time consuming in characterizing ceramic matrix composites. Precise x ray attenuation measurements, reflecting minute density variations, are achieved by photon counting and by using microcollimators at the source and the detector. X ray computed tomography is found to be a unique x ray attenuation measurement technique capable of providing cross-sectional spatial density information in monolithic ceramics and metal matrix composites. X ray computed tomography is proven to accelerate generic composite component development. Radiographic evaluation before, during, and after loading shows the effect of preexisting volume flaws

From Relativistic Electrons to X-ray Phase Contrast Imaging

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lumpkin, A. H.; Garson, A. B.; Anastasio, M. A.

2017-10-09

We report the initial demonstrations of the use of single crystals in indirect x-ray imaging for x-ray phase contrast imaging at the Washington University in St. Louis Computational Bioimaging Laboratory (CBL). Based on single Gaussian peak fits to the x-ray images, we observed a four times smaller system point spread function (21 μm (FWHM)) with the 25-mm diameter single crystals than the reference polycrystalline phosphor’s 80-μm value. Potential fiber-optic plate depth-of-focus aspects and 33-μm diameter carbon fiber imaging are also addressed.

Large area soft x-ray collimator to facilitate x-ray optics testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Espy, Samuel L.

1994-01-01

The first objective of this program is to design a nested conical foil x-ray optic which will collimate x-rays diverging from a point source. The collimator could then be employed in a small, inexpensive x-ray test stand which would be used to test various x-ray optics and detector systems. The second objective is to demonstrate the fabrication of the x-ray reflectors for this optic using lacquer-smoothing and zero-stress electroforming techniques.

Development of x-ray laminography under an x-ray microscopic condition

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hoshino, Masato; Uesugi, Kentaro; Takeuchi, Akihisa

2011-07-15

An x-ray laminography system under an x-ray microscopic condition was developed to obtain a three-dimensional structure of laterally-extended planar objects which were difficult to observe by x-ray tomography. An x-ray laminography technique was introduced to an x-ray transmission microscope with zone plate optics. Three prototype sample holders were evaluated for x-ray imaging laminography. Layered copper grid sheets were imaged as a laminated sample. Diatomite powder on a silicon nitride membrane was measured to confirm the applicability of this method to non-planar micro-specimens placed on the membrane. The three-dimensional information of diatom shells on the membrane was obtained at a spatialmore » resolution of sub-micron. Images of biological cells on the membrane were also obtained by using a Zernike phase contrast technique.« less

Dual-CGH interferometry test for x-ray mirror mandrels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Guangjun; Lehan, John P.; Griesmann, Ulf

2009-06-01

We describe a glancing-incidence interferometric double-pass test, based on a pair of computer-generated holograms (CGHs), for mandrels used to fabricate x-ray mirrors for space-based x-ray telescopes. The design of the test and its realization are described. The application illustrates the advantage of dual-CGH tests for the complete metrology of precise optical surfaces.

Bayesian X-ray computed tomography using a three-level hierarchical prior model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Li; Mohammad-Djafari, Ali; Gac, Nicolas

2017-06-01

In recent decades X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) image reconstruction has been largely developed in both medical and industrial domain. In this paper, we propose using the Bayesian inference approach with a new hierarchical prior model. In the proposed model, a generalised Student-t distribution is used to enforce the Haar transformation of images to be sparse. Comparisons with some state of the art methods are presented. It is shown that by using the proposed model, the sparsity of sparse representation of images is enforced, so that edges of images are preserved. Simulation results are also provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the new hierarchical model for reconstruction with fewer projections.

X-ray computed tomography datasets for forensic analysis of vertebrate fossils.

PubMed

Rowe, Timothy B; Luo, Zhe-Xi; Ketcham, Richard A; Maisano, Jessica A; Colbert, Matthew W

2016-06-07

We describe X-ray computed tomography (CT) datasets from three specimens recovered from Early Cretaceous lakebeds of China that illustrate the forensic interpretation of CT imagery for paleontology. Fossil vertebrates from thinly bedded sediments often shatter upon discovery and are commonly repaired as amalgamated mosaics grouted to a solid backing slab of rock or plaster. Such methods are prone to inadvertent error and willful forgery, and once required potentially destructive methods to identify mistakes in reconstruction. CT is an efficient, nondestructive alternative that can disclose many clues about how a specimen was handled and repaired. These annotated datasets illustrate the power of CT in documenting specimen integrity and are intended as a reference in applying CT more broadly to evaluating the authenticity of comparable fossils.

X-ray computed tomography datasets for forensic analysis of vertebrate fossils

PubMed Central

Rowe, Timothy B.; Luo, Zhe-Xi; Ketcham, Richard A.; Maisano, Jessica A.; Colbert, Matthew W.

2016-01-01

We describe X-ray computed tomography (CT) datasets from three specimens recovered from Early Cretaceous lakebeds of China that illustrate the forensic interpretation of CT imagery for paleontology. Fossil vertebrates from thinly bedded sediments often shatter upon discovery and are commonly repaired as amalgamated mosaics grouted to a solid backing slab of rock or plaster. Such methods are prone to inadvertent error and willful forgery, and once required potentially destructive methods to identify mistakes in reconstruction. CT is an efficient, nondestructive alternative that can disclose many clues about how a specimen was handled and repaired. These annotated datasets illustrate the power of CT in documenting specimen integrity and are intended as a reference in applying CT more broadly to evaluating the authenticity of comparable fossils. PMID:27272251

Laser plasma x-ray source for ultrafast time-resolved x-ray absorption spectroscopy

DOE PAGES

Miaja-Avila, L.; O'Neil, G. C.; Uhlig, J.; ...

2015-03-02

We describe a laser-driven x-ray plasma source designed for ultrafast x-ray absorption spectroscopy. The source is comprised of a 1 kHz, 20 W, femtosecond pulsed infrared laser and a water target. We present the x-ray spectra as a function of laser energy and pulse duration. Additionally, we investigate the plasma temperature and photon flux as we vary the laser energy. We obtain a 75 μm FWHM x-ray spot size, containing ~10 6 photons/s, by focusing the produced x-rays with a polycapillary optic. Since the acquisition of x-ray absorption spectra requires the averaging of measurements from >10 7 laser pulses, wemore » also present data on the source stability, including single pulse measurements of the x-ray yield and the x-ray spectral shape. In single pulse measurements, the x-ray flux has a measured standard deviation of 8%, where the laser pointing is the main cause of variability. Further, we show that the variability in x-ray spectral shape from single pulses is low, thus justifying the combining of x-rays obtained from different laser pulses into a single spectrum. Finally, we show a static x-ray absorption spectrum of a ferrioxalate solution as detected by a microcalorimeter array. Altogether, our results demonstrate that this water-jet based plasma source is a suitable candidate for laboratory-based time-resolved x-ray absorption spectroscopy experiments.« less

Dark-count-less photon-counting x-ray computed tomography system using a YAP-MPPC detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sato, Eiichi; Sato, Yuich; Abudurexiti, Abulajiang; Hagiwara, Osahiko; Matsukiyo, Hiroshi; Osawa, Akihiro; Enomoto, Toshiyuki; Watanabe, Manabu; Kusachi, Shinya; Sato, Shigehiro; Ogawa, Akira; Onagawa, Jun

2012-10-01

A high-sensitive X-ray computed tomography (CT) system is useful for decreasing absorbed dose for patients, and a dark-count-less photon-counting CT system was developed. X-ray photons are detected using a YAP(Ce) [cerium-doped yttrium aluminum perovskite] single crystal scintillator and an MPPC (multipixel photon counter). Photocurrents are amplified by a high-speed current-voltage amplifier, and smooth event pulses from an integrator are sent to a high-speed comparator. Then, logical pulses are produced from the comparator and are counted by a counter card. Tomography is accomplished by repeated linear scans and rotations of an object, and projection curves of the object are obtained by the linear scan. The image contrast of gadolinium medium slightly fell with increase in lower-level voltage (Vl) of the comparator. The dark count rate was 0 cps, and the count rate for the CT was approximately 250 kcps.

A comparison between EGS4 and MCNP computer modeling of an in vivo X-ray fluorescence system.

PubMed

Al-Ghorabie, F H; Natto, S S; Al-Lyhiani, S H

2001-03-01

The Monte Carlo computer codes EGS4 and MCNP were used to develop a theoretical model of a 180 degrees geometry in vivo X-ray fluorescence system for the measurement of platinum concentration in head and neck tumors. The model included specification of the photon source, collimators, phantoms and detector. Theoretical results were compared and evaluated against X-ray fluorescence data obtained experimentally from an existing system developed by the Swansea In Vivo Analysis and Cancer Research Group. The EGS4 results agreed well with the MCNP results. However, agreement between the measured spectral shape obtained using the experimental X-ray fluorescence system and the simulated spectral shape obtained using the two Monte Carlo codes was relatively poor. The main reason for the disagreement between the results arises from the basic assumptions which the two codes used in their calculations. Both codes assume a "free" electron model for Compton interactions. This assumption will underestimate the results and invalidates any predicted and experimental spectra when compared with each other.

Panoramic Dental X-Ray

MedlinePlus

... Physician Resources Professions Site Index A-Z Panoramic Dental X-ray Panoramic dental x-ray uses a very small dose of ... x-ray , is a two-dimensional (2-D) dental x-ray examination that captures the entire mouth ...

Iterative reconstruction for x-ray computed tomography using prior-image induced nonlocal regularization.