MRI: Acquisition of an X-ray Computed Tomography Scanner for Three-Dimensional Characterization of a Wide Range of Geological and Biological Archives

从任何其他来源无法获得的关键信息包含在自然地质和/或生物档案中，美国各地的大型多学科学术团体正在开发和应用最先进的技术，以越来越高的准确性和精度提取和解释这些信息。其中大部分是结构性的，宏观和微观尺度的3D成像为样品表征和结构数据量化提供了关键的第一步。然而，目前可供美国学术界用来对地质和生物样品进行三维表征的设施是有限的。该合同提供Geotek旋转x射线计算机断层扫描（RXCT）扫描仪，安装在伍兹霍尔海洋研究所（WHOI）的国家科学基金会（NSF）支持的海底样品实验室（SFSL）内。该扫描仪将作为一个中心运作，以满足海洋科学界对3D成像和分析的现有和不断增长的需求。RXCT扫描仪将促进地质和生物档案的3D表征和分析，方便美国各地的研究人员访问。开放获取珊瑚、贝类和其他海洋钙化物、沉积物岩心、木材和洞穴主题的非破坏性宏观和微观成像，改变研究人员解决环境变化及其对生命系统影响的关键问题的能力。此外，3D成像的开放将推动结构数据的量化、分析、解释和3D动画新技术的发展。数字3D图像和动画将通过多种媒体类型在世界各地共享，将科学与公众联系起来，并激励下一代科学家。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Critical information, unavailable from any other source, is contained within natural geological and/or biological archives and a large multi-disciplinary academic community across the United States is developing and applying state-of-the art technologies to extract and interpret this information with growing accuracy and precision. Much of it is structural, and macro- and microscale 3D imaging provide a critical first step in the characterization of samples and quantification of structural data. Yet facilities currently available to the United States academic community for the three-dimensional characterization of geological and biological samples, are limited. This award provides for the acquisition of a Geotek Rotating X-ray Computed Tomography (RXCT) scanner to be housed within the National Science Foundation (NSF)-supported Seafloor Samples Laboratory (SFSL) at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI). The scanner will be operated as a center to service the existing and growing need for 3D imaging and analysis within the ocean sciences community. The RXCT scanner will facilitate the 3D characterization and analysis of geological and biological archives readily accessible to researchers across the US. Open access to non-destructive, macro- and microscale imaging of corals, shellfish and other marine calcifiers, sediment cores, wood and speleothems, transforming researchers' ability to address critical questions about environmental change and its impacts on living systems. Furthermore, open access to 3D imaging will drive the development of new technologies for the quantification, analysis, interpretation and 3D animation of structural data. Digital 3D images and animations will be shared across the world, via multiple media types, connecting science with the public, and inspiring the next generation of scientists.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.