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

拟建的加拿大光源(CLS)高通量X射线微层析(MICRO-CT)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区。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非常高的X射线通量密度，建议的Micro-CT仪器将把典型的扫描时间从几小时减少到几分钟甚至几秒--这是传统的Micro-CT成像无法实现的吞吐量水平，而且CLS还没有实现这一水平。这一速度更令人印象深刻，因为它将在亚微米体素大小和出色的图像质量下实现。这项提议包括采集和处理断层图像数据以及对样品进行精确的离线(扫描前)校准所需的全套设备。总的来说，这些组件将确保实现CLS的高吞吐量潜力。对于共同申请者，库珀博士和哈尔格里姆松博士，这一强大的成像能力将分别使骨内部周转(重塑)的虚拟组织学和形态发生的研究以及形态变异的发育遗传学研究成为可能。为了实现NSERC资助的这些研究计划的目标，需要比加拿大目前可用的分辨率和吞吐量更高的分辨率和吞吐量。拟建的微型CT站将填补这一技术空白，补充和扩展CLS的能力。它将为培训学生和研究员提供一个特殊的平台，确保他们处于成像科学的前沿。申请者群体之间分享的专门知识以及参与更大的国内和国际CLS用户网络将带来进一步的培训好处。事实上，预计这一工具的影响将远远超出申请者的研究计划，因为它将通过CLS的同行审查访问机制向国内和国际用户开放。这将确保所要求的基础设施投资得到最大限度的利用。

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.