High-throughput X-ray micro-tomography station at the Canadian Light Source

拟议的加拿大光 (CLS) 源高通量 X 射线显微断层扫描 (micro-CT) 站将利用位于萨斯卡通萨斯喀彻温大学校园的加拿大国家同步加速器设施的独特功能。同步加速器是粒子加速器的一种形式，当加速的超相对论电子被磁铁限制在圆形轨迹上时，它会产生强烈的辐射（包括 X 射线）。通过利用 CLS 非常高的 X 射线通量密度，所提出的微型 CT 仪器将典型的扫描时间从几小时缩短到几分钟甚至几秒——这种吞吐量水平是传统微型 CT 成像根本不可能实现的，并且 CLS 尚未实现。这种速度更加令人印象深刻，因为它将在亚微米体素尺寸下实现并具有卓越的图像质量。该提案包括采集和处理断层扫描图像数据以及样品精确离线（预扫描）对准所需的全套设备。总的来说，这些组件将确保实现 CLS 的高吞吐量潜力。对于共同申请人，博士。 Cooper 和 Hallgrimsson 博士表示，这种强大的成像能力将分别实现骨骼内部更新（重塑）的虚拟组织学以及形态发生和形态变异发育遗传学的研究。为了实现这些 NSERC 资助的研究项目的目标，需要比加拿大目前的分辨率和通量更高的分辨率和通量。拟议的微型 CT 站将填补这一技术空白，补充和扩展 CLS 的功能。它将成为培训学生和研究员的特殊平台，确保他们处于成像科学的前沿。申请者团体之间共享专业知识以及更大的国内和国际 CLS 用户网络的参与将带来进一步的培训好处。事实上，预计该工具的影响将远远超出申请人的研究项目，因为国内和国际用户将可以通过 CLS 的同行评审访问机制使用它。这将确保所需的基础设施投资得到最佳利用，发挥最大效果。

The proposed High-throughput x-ray micro-tomography (micro-CT) station at the Canadian Light (CLS) Source will capitalize upon the unique capabilities of Canada’s national synchrotron facility which is located on the University of Saskatchewan Campus in Saskatoon. A synchrotron is a form of particle accelerator that generates intense radiation (including x-rays) when accelerated ultrarelativistic electrons are confined to a circular trajectory by magnets. By utilizing the very high x-ray flux density of the CLS, the proposed micro-CT instrument will reduce typical scan times from hours to minutes and even seconds – a level of throughput simply not possible with conventional micro-CT imaging and not yet realized at the CLS. This speed is all the more impressive as it will be achieved at sub-micron voxel sizes and with exceptional image quality. This proposal includes the full suite of equipment necessary for the acquisition and processing of tomographic image data as well as the precise offline (pre-scan) alignment of samples. Collectively, these components will ensure that the high throughput potential of the CLS is achieved. For the co-applicants, Drs. Cooper and Hallgrimsson, this powerful imaging capability will enable virtual histology of the internal turnover (remodeling) of bone and the study of morphogenesis and the developmental genetics of morphological variation, respectively. To achieve the goals of these NSERC-funded research programs, higher resolution and throughput than is current available within Canada is required. The proposed micro-CT station will fill this technological gap, complementing and expanding the capabilities of the CLS. It will represent an exceptional platform for the training of students and fellows, ensuring that they are at the cutting-edge of imaging science. Further training benefits will result from the shared expertise between the applicants’ groups and also from engagement within the larger network of national and international CLS users. Indeed, it is anticipated this instrument will have impacts far beyond the applicants’ research programs as it will be accessible to national and international users via the peer-review access mechanism of the CLS. This will ensure that the requested investment in infrastructure is optimally utilized to maximum effect.