MRI: Acquisition of a 50 nm Resolution X-ray Computed Tomography Instrument

该MRI补助金用于购买纳米级分辨率X射线计算机断层扫描（nano-CT）仪器，该仪器可在50 nm分辨率的不透明结构内提供3D体积成像。 与其他成像技术和其他可用的X射线CT仪器相比，Nano-CT提供了一套独特的功能。 特殊的纳米CT提供了材料和设备内部的可视化，分辨率为50 nm或150 nm，3D视野分别为15 µm和60 µm。 这是在大型同步加速器设施之外可用的最高X射线CT分辨率。 通过菲涅耳波带片物镜和泽尼克相衬成像的组合，即使使用软材料（如聚合物）也可以获得高分辨率。 与使用切片的技术相比，nano-CT是非破坏性的，样品保持完整。 此外，成像在周围或受控环境中进行，而不需要真空。 这些功能与纳米CT结合？长工作距离可实现原位、术中和时程（4D）成像。nano-CT将用于卡内基梅隆大学科学和工程学院的各种项目，其研究涉及以下主要主题：a）能源与环境，B）微/纳米材料和制造，以及c）生物医学和生命科学。纳米CT将成为卡内基梅隆大学以及区域和国家一级的独特资源，吸引来自学术界的外部用户，工业和国家实验室。 纳米CT将与现有的定制微型CT一起安装，提供0.5-1 µm的最大分辨率和大视场。 这些组合的仪器将形成一个多功能的多尺度CT成像设备，成像长度范围为五个数量级，O（10 nm）至O（1 mm）。 将通过一个专门网站宣传这一综合设施，并将举行年度用户小组会议，以促进不同用户之间的信息交流与合作。 此外，还将举办讲习班，向工业界介绍X射线CT和纳米CT。 nano-CT将培养来自不同领域的大量学生研究人员，激发跨学科合作。纳米CT及其数据将被纳入现有的外联工作和课程。 为支持这一努力，每年将为教育和外联活动提供固定次数的零用户费用扫描。

This MRI grant is for the acquisition of a nano-scale resolution X-ray computed tomography (nano-CT) instrument that provides 3D volumetric imaging within opaque structures at 50 nm resolution. Nano-CT offers a unique set of capabilities compared to other imaging techniques and other available X-ray CT instruments. The particular nano-CT provides visualization inside materials and devices with 50 nm or 150 nm resolution with large 3D fields of view of 15 µm and 60 µm, respectively. This is the highest X-ray CT resolution available outside of large-scale synchrotron facilities. The high resolution is obtained even with soft materials, such as polymers, through a combination of a Fresnel zone plate objective and Zernike phase contrast imaging. Compared to techniques using sectioning, nano-CT is non-destructive and sample remains intact. Furthermore, the imaging is done in ambient or controlled environments without vacuum. These features combined with the nano-CT?s long working distance enable in-situ, in-operando, and time-history (4D) imaging. The nano-CT will be used in a wide array of projects across the colleges of science and engineering at Carnegie Mellon, with the enabled research falling into the major themes of: a) Energy and the environment, b) Micro/Nano materials and fabrication, and c) Biomedical and life sciences.The nano-CT will be a unique resource at Carnegie Mellon and at the regional and national levels, attracting external users from academia, industry, and national labs. The nano-CT will be installed alongside an existing custom micro-CT that offers a maximum resolution of 0.5-1 µm and large fields of view. These combined instruments will form a versatile multi-scale CT imaging facility, with imaging length scales ranging five orders of magnitudes, O(10 nm) to O(1 mm). This comprehensive facility will be advertised through a dedicated website and an annual user group meeting will be held to promote information exchanges and collaborations between the diverse set of users. In addition, workshops will be held to introduce industry to X-ray CT and nano-CT. The nano-CT will result in the training of a large number of student researchers from diverse areas, inspiring interdisciplinary collaborations. The nano-CT and its data will be integrated into existing outreach efforts and classes. To support this effort, a fixed number of zero user cost scans will be made available annually for education and outreach activities.