ITR/AP: Computational methods for quantitative analysis of X-ray computed tomographic (CT) data for the geosciences

这项资助由美国国家科学基金会/信息技术研究小额资助计划和地球科学仪器和设施计划资助，将促进软件基础设施的发展，以充分利用地质研究中高分辨率x射线计算机断层扫描（CT）数据的科学潜力。根据我们在德克萨斯大学操作高分辨率x射线CT扫描仪的四年经验，我们已经确定了在解决研究问题时反复出现的定量分析类型。其中包括在扫描体积内识别、分离和表征多达数千个单个物体，量化三维结构和纹理，以及测量局部和分散的体积特性，如裂缝孔径和孔隙度。我们通过开发算法和完整的软件应用程序来支持我们与外部研究人员的一些联合研究项目，为这些领域的进展奠定了基础。我们建议在此基础上扩展和推广这些编程工作，创建一套工具，将极大地扩展CT数据的价值和效用，以及任何其他体积数据集。研究生研究项目将为这些工具的应用和测试提供环境。＊＊＊

0113480KetchamThis grant, supported through funds from both the NSF/Information Technology Research - Small Grants Program and the Earth Science Instrumentation and Facilities Program, will facilitate the development of the software infrastructure necessary to fully exploit the scientific potential of high-resolution X-ray computed tomographic (CT) data for geological research. Over our four years of experience in operating a high-resolution X-ray CT scanner dedicated to the geosciences at the University of Texas, we have identified the types of quantitative analysis whose necessity arises repeatedly in addressing research questions. These include identifying, separating, and characterizing up to thousands of individual objects within a scan volume, quantifying three-dimensional fabrics and textures, and measuring local and dispersed volume properties such as fracture apertures and porosity. We have laid the foundation for progress in each of these areas by developing algorithms and complete software applications in support of some of our joint research projects with outside investigators. We propose to build upon this foundation by expanding and generalizing these programming efforts, creating a suite of tools that will greatly expand the value and utility of CT data, as well as any other volumetric data set. Graduate research projects will provide the setting in which these tools are applied and tested. ***