Multiscale x-ray imaging facility for monitoring and modelling structural evolution in situ

虽然基于实验室的3Dx射线成像仪正成为材料科学实验室中可用工具箱的一部分，但大多数系统仅用于检查微小的死物。另一方面，基于同步加速器的X射线成像提供了更灵活的实验空间和仪器配置以及更高的分辨率，但大多数用户每年只能访问几天；许多重要的实验被排除在外；特别是那些具有复杂的样品环境的实验，这些环境需要几天的时间来建立，或者状态的变化需要几天的时间。这个项目的目的是建立一个X射线断层成像设备，它将开启广泛的地标实验，远远超出了提出者的兴趣。我们将建立一个框架，让来自物理科学领域和其他领域的用户，无论他们位于英国的哪个地方，都可以使用该设施。重点将放在不容易在台式系统上完成的实验，也不是最适合同步加速器研究设施的实验，或者只是要求在访问同步加速器之前进行实验。不可能猜测所有将出现的申请，特别是那些来自曼彻斯特大学以外的申请，但曼彻斯特大学内部证明需要和感兴趣的例子包括：+纤维结构(生物材料和纸张/纺织品)：测试非织造布性能的模型，优化细胞生长的支架+裂纹扩展-使用相位对比来揭示裂纹起始和高分辨率感兴趣区域监控裂纹扩展速度和裂纹形态+原位粉末处理：提取有关粉末运动和固结的3D信息+冶金：使用相位对比测量3D中的相微结构+腐蚀和保护：利用高分辨率成像来监控晶间应力腐蚀的演变在3D+软固体加工中：使用相对比来描述加工中的微小变化如何导致形态上的大变化+聚合物复合材料：利用相对比来突出损伤；和监测损伤演化+生物材料：提取可以虚拟建模和测试的结构，以吸取自然教训+多孔介质：表征初始结构并测量其对流体、变形等的反应+地质材料：为地震建模和性能预测提供输入数据+古生物学：利用相位对比揭示化石结构+牙科材料：优化配方/微结构/性能关系作为大学的一项战略投资，该设施将向曼彻斯特大学工程和物理科学系以及外部用户开放，以光束线为基础的设施将与建议者在同步加速器设施中开发的设施有许多共同之处。这将意味着实验可以根据需要在两者之间切换。这也意味着，一些开发的软件将可以从一个移植到另一个。

While laboratory based 3D x-ray imagers are becoming as much a part of the toolkit available in materials science labs as traditional electron microscopy, most systems are equiped only to examine small 'dead' artefacts. Synchrotron based X-ray imaging on the other hand offers much more flexible use of experimental space and instrumental configuration as well as offering higher resolution, but access is limited for most users to a few days per year; precluding many important experiments; particularly those with complex sample environments which take many days to set up, or for which the change in state takes place over days.This project is aimed at establishing an X-ray tomographic imaging facility that will open up a wide range of land mark experiments far beyond the interests of the proposers. We will put in place a framework by which users from within the physical sciences and beyond can access the facility no matter where they are located in the UK. Emphasis will be on experiments that cannot easily be done on bench-top systems, nor are best suited to synchrotron research facilities, or simply require experimentation prior to a visit to a synchrotron. It is not possible to second guess all the applications that will arise, especially those proposed from outside the Univesity of Manchester, but examples where there is a proven need and interest from within the University of Manchester include: + fibrous architectures (biomaterials & paper/textiles): to test models for the performance of non-wovens and to optimise scaffolds for cell growth + crack propagation - using phase contrast to reveal crack initiation and high resolution region of interest studies to monitor crack growth rates and crack morlphologies + in-situ powder processing: to extract information in 3D about powder movement and consolidation + metallurgy: to use phase contrast to measure phase microstructures in 3D + corrosion and protection: to exploit high resolution imaging to monitor the evolution of intergranular stress corrosion in 3D + soft solids processing: using phase contrast to delineate how small changes in processing can lead to big changes in morphology + polymer composites: exploiting phase contrast to highlight damage; and monitoring damage evolution + biomaterials: extracting structures that can be modelled and tested virtually to learn natures lessons + porous media: to characterise initial structures and to measure their reponse to fluids, deformation etc + geological materials: to provide input data for seismic modelling and performance prediction + paleontology: exploiting phase contrast to reveal fossil structures + dental materials: to optimise formulation/microstructure /property relationsAs a strategic investment from the University, the Facility will be on open access to users from across the Engineering and Physical Sciences Faculty at the University of Manchester as well as those outside, for which access arrangements and support will be in place.The beamline-based facility will have much in common with those being developed by the proposers at synchrotron facilties. This will mean that experiments can be switched between the two according to need. It also means that some software developed will be transferable from one to the other.