MRI: Acquisition of a 3D X-Ray Computed Tomography Scanner for Imaging of Large Size Infrastructure, Biological, and Mechanical Components

x射线计算机断层扫描（CT）使研究人员能够看到结构、机械、电子或生物部件的内部，并生成部件内外的高分辨率3D图像。该技术已经发展到能够对由密度更大的材料制成的更大的部件进行x射线CT扫描，同时在快速扫描时间内实现高分辨率。这些进步使x射线CT成为土木工程和生物学等学科研究人员的独特工具。该主要研究仪器（MRI）奖支持购买先进的x射线CT扫描仪，该扫描仪能够以非常高的分辨率扫描高1.2米、宽0.84米的部件。华盛顿大学（UW）的研究人员组成了一个多学科团队，包括土木工程、机械工程、航空工程、人类学、华盛顿纳米制造设施(WNF)/电气工程、生物学、地球和空间科学、材料科学以及伯克博物馆（伯克博物馆是华盛顿大学校园内的自然历史和文化博物馆）的研究人员。该仪器支持的研究与研究团队一样广泛和多学科，它将有助于推动这些不同学科的创新。x射线CT提供的成像能力将允许结构工程研究人员进行大规模结构子组合的测试，然后在测试后对关键部件进行成像；能够发现从表面上看不见的损伤。x射线CT将用于监测钢筋混凝土粘结区的损伤进展，提高对粘结区行为的理解和建模。用于航空、机械和民用应用的复合材料结构的研究人员将对复合材料部件进行成像，以研究几乎不可见的和表面下的缺陷，以及失效的发生。这些数据将有助于开发和验证数值模型，这些模型依赖于对层压板层间空隙和纤维角度变化的准确表征，推进复合材料的微观力学和失效理论，并提高粘合质量。3D打印研究人员将使用x射线CT对3D打印部件的内部和外部几何形状进行无损检测。他们还将探索x射线CT评估3D打印部件的空间受控材料成分的有效性，这在其他方面是不可行的。生物系统的研究人员将对大部分骨骼遗骸、化石和最近死亡的动物进行成像，以确定精确的几何形状；这些数据将有助于生物力学模型的发展和生物结构功能的研究。电子工程和纳米制造领域的研究人员将使用该仪器对采用先进技术制造的电子产品进行故障分析。该仪器将成为华盛顿大学和太平洋西北地区研究基础设施的重要组成部分。

X-ray computed tomography (CT) allows researchers to see inside structural, mechanical, electronic or biological parts and produce high-resolution 3D images of the parts, inside and out. This technology has evolved to enable X-ray CT scanning of larger parts made from denser materials while achieving high resolution at fast scan times. These advances have made x-ray CT a unique tool for researchers in disciplines from civil engineering to biology. This Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) award supports the acquisition of an advanced X-ray CT scanner capable of scanning parts as large as 1.2 meters tall and 0.84 meters wide at very high resolutions. A multidisciplinary team of University of Washington (UW) researchers has been assembled to acquire the instrument, including researchers from civil engineering, mechanical engineering, aeronautical engineering, anthropology, the Washington Nanofabrication Facility (WNF)/Electrical Engineering, biology, earth and space sciences, material science, and the Burke Museum which is a natural history and cultural museum on the campus of the University of Washington. The research enabled by this instrument is as broad and multidisciplinary as the research team and it will help to drive innovations in these diverse disciplines.The imaging capability provided by the x-ray CT will allow structural engineering researchers to perform tests of large-scale structural subassemblages and then image the key components following the tests; enabling discovery of damage not visible from the surface. X-ray CT will be used to monitor damage progression in reinforced concrete bond zones, improving understanding and modeling of bond zone behavior. Researchers in composite structures used in aero, mechanical and civil applications will image composite components to investigate barely visible and subsurface defects, and failure initiation. These data will help develop and validate numerical models that rely on accurate characterization of voids and variations in fiber angles across laminate layers, advance composite micromechanics and failure theories for composites, and improve bond quality. Researchers in 3D printing will use the X-ray CT for nondestructive inspection of both internal and external geometry of 3D printed parts. They will also explore the effectiveness of X-ray CT evaluation of spatially controlled material composition of the 3D printed parts which is not otherwise feasible. Researchers in biological systems will image large portions of skeletal remains, fossils, and recently deceased animals to determine exact geometries; these data will enable the development of bio-mechanical models and investigation of the function of biological structures. Researchers in electrical engineering and nanofabrication will use the instrument in failure analysis of electronics fabricated with advanced techniques. The instrument will become a key piece of research infrastructure for the University of Washington and the Pacific Northwest.