ITR/AP: Computational methods for quantitative analysis of X-ray computed tomographic (CT) data for the geosciences

这笔赠款由NSF/信息技术研究-小额赠款计划和地球科学仪器和设施计划提供资金支持，将促进充分开发用于地质研究的高分辨率X射线计算机断层扫描(CT)数据的科学潜力所需的软件基础设施的开发。在我们操作德克萨斯大学专门用于地球科学的高分辨率X射线CT扫描仪的四年经验中，我们已经确定了定量分析的类型，这些类型的分析在解决研究问题时反复出现。这些措施包括识别、分离和表征扫描体积内多达数千个单独的对象，量化三维织物和纹理，以及测量局部和分散的体积属性，如裂缝孔径和孔隙率。我们通过开发算法和完整的软件应用程序来支持我们与外部调查人员的一些联合研究项目，从而为在每个领域取得进展奠定了基础。我们建议在此基础上，通过扩展和推广这些编程工作，创建一套工具，极大地扩展CT数据以及任何其他体积数据集的价值和用途。研究生研究项目将提供应用和测试这些工具的环境。***

0113480KetchamThis grant, supported through funds from both the NSF/Information Technology Research - Small Grants Program and the Earth Science Instrumentation and Facilities Program, will facilitate the development of the software infrastructure necessary to fully exploit the scientific potential of high-resolution X-ray computed tomographic (CT) data for geological research. Over our four years of experience in operating a high-resolution X-ray CT scanner dedicated to the geosciences at the University of Texas, we have identified the types of quantitative analysis whose necessity arises repeatedly in addressing research questions. These include identifying, separating, and characterizing up to thousands of individual objects within a scan volume, quantifying three-dimensional fabrics and textures, and measuring local and dispersed volume properties such as fracture apertures and porosity. We have laid the foundation for progress in each of these areas by developing algorithms and complete software applications in support of some of our joint research projects with outside investigators. We propose to build upon this foundation by expanding and generalizing these programming efforts, creating a suite of tools that will greatly expand the value and utility of CT data, as well as any other volumetric data set. Graduate research projects will provide the setting in which these tools are applied and tested. ***