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

拟议的加拿大光源高通量X射线微型断层摄影站将利用加拿大国家同步加速器设施的独特能力，该设施位于萨斯卡通的萨斯喀彻温大学校园内。同步加速器是一种粒子加速器，当加速的超相对论电子被磁铁限制在圆形轨道上时，它会产生强烈的辐射（包括x射线）。通过利用CLS的非常高的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数小时减少到数分钟甚至数秒-常规微型CT成像根本不可能实现的吞吐量水平，并且尚未在CLS实现。这一速度更令人印象深刻，因为它将在亚微米体素尺寸和卓越的图像质量下实现。该建议包括采集和处理断层图像数据以及精确离线（预扫描）校准样品所需的全套设备。总的来说，这些组件将确保实现CLS的高吞吐量潜力。对于共同申请人库珀博士和Hallgrimsson博士来说，这种强大的成像能力将分别实现骨内部转换（重塑）的虚拟组织学以及形态发生和形态变异的发育遗传学研究。为了实现这些NSERC资助的研究计划的目标，需要比加拿大目前可用的更高的分辨率和吞吐量。拟议的微型CT站将填补这一技术空白，补充和扩大CLS的能力。它将为学生和研究员的培训提供一个特殊的平台，确保他们处于成像科学的前沿。申请人群体之间分享专门知识以及参与国家和国际公务员制度用户的更大网络，将带来进一步的培训益处。事实上，预计这一工具的影响将远远超出申请人的研究计划，因为它将通过CLS的同行审查访问机制提供给国家和国际用户。这将确保所要求的基础设施投资得到最佳利用，产生最大效果。

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.