MRI: Acquisition of a 3D X-Ray Computed Tomography Scanner for Imaging of Large Size Infrastructure, Biological, and Mechanical Components

X射线计算机断层扫描(CT)使研究人员能够看到结构、机械、电子或生物部件的内部，并产生部件内部和外部的高分辨率3D图像。这项技术已经发展到能够对由密度更高的材料制成的更大部件进行X射线CT扫描，同时在快速扫描时实现高分辨率。这些进展使X射线CT成为从土木工程到生物学等学科的研究人员的独特工具。该重大研究仪器(MRI)奖支持购买先进的X射线CT扫描仪，该扫描仪能够以非常高的分辨率扫描高达1.2米、宽0.84米的部件。华盛顿大学(UW)的研究人员组成了一个多学科团队来获取该仪器，研究人员包括来自土木工程、机械工程、航空工程、人类学、华盛顿纳米制造设施(WNF)/电气工程、生物学、地球和空间科学、材料科学以及伯克博物馆的研究人员，伯克博物馆是华盛顿大学校园内的自然历史和文化博物馆。该仪器支持的研究与研究团队一样广泛和多学科，它将有助于推动这些不同学科的创新。X射线CT提供的成像能力将允许结构工程研究人员对大规模结构部件进行测试，然后在测试后对关键部件进行成像；使之能够发现从表面看不到的损伤。X射线CT将用于监测钢筋混凝土粘结区的损伤发展，提高对粘结区行为的理解和建模。在航空、机械和民用应用中使用的复合材料结构的研究人员将对复合材料部件进行成像，以调查几乎看不见的和亚表面缺陷，以及故障起始。这些数据将有助于开发和验证数值模型，这些模型依赖于层压层间空隙和纤维角度变化的准确表征，促进复合材料的细观力学和破坏理论，并提高粘结质量。3D打印的研究人员将使用X射线CT对3D打印部件的内部和外部几何进行无损检测。他们还将探索对3D打印部件的空间控制材料成分进行X射线CT评估的有效性，这在其他方面是不可行的。生物系统的研究人员将对大部分骨骼遗骸、化石和最近死亡的动物进行成像，以确定准确的几何形状；这些数据将使生物力学模型的开发和生物结构功能的研究成为可能。电气工程和纳米制造领域的研究人员将使用该仪器对采用先进技术制造的电子产品进行失效分析。该仪器将成为华盛顿大学和太平洋西北地区的关键研究基础设施。

X-ray computed tomography (CT) allows researchers to see inside structural, mechanical, electronic or biological parts and produce high-resolution 3D images of the parts, inside and out. This technology has evolved to enable X-ray CT scanning of larger parts made from denser materials while achieving high resolution at fast scan times. These advances have made x-ray CT a unique tool for researchers in disciplines from civil engineering to biology. This Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) award supports the acquisition of an advanced X-ray CT scanner capable of scanning parts as large as 1.2 meters tall and 0.84 meters wide at very high resolutions. A multidisciplinary team of University of Washington (UW) researchers has been assembled to acquire the instrument, including researchers from civil engineering, mechanical engineering, aeronautical engineering, anthropology, the Washington Nanofabrication Facility (WNF)/Electrical Engineering, biology, earth and space sciences, material science, and the Burke Museum which is a natural history and cultural museum on the campus of the University of Washington. The research enabled by this instrument is as broad and multidisciplinary as the research team and it will help to drive innovations in these diverse disciplines.The imaging capability provided by the x-ray CT will allow structural engineering researchers to perform tests of large-scale structural subassemblages and then image the key components following the tests; enabling discovery of damage not visible from the surface. X-ray CT will be used to monitor damage progression in reinforced concrete bond zones, improving understanding and modeling of bond zone behavior. Researchers in composite structures used in aero, mechanical and civil applications will image composite components to investigate barely visible and subsurface defects, and failure initiation. These data will help develop and validate numerical models that rely on accurate characterization of voids and variations in fiber angles across laminate layers, advance composite micromechanics and failure theories for composites, and improve bond quality. Researchers in 3D printing will use the X-ray CT for nondestructive inspection of both internal and external geometry of 3D printed parts. They will also explore the effectiveness of X-ray CT evaluation of spatially controlled material composition of the 3D printed parts which is not otherwise feasible. Researchers in biological systems will image large portions of skeletal remains, fossils, and recently deceased animals to determine exact geometries; these data will enable the development of bio-mechanical models and investigation of the function of biological structures. Researchers in electrical engineering and nanofabrication will use the instrument in failure analysis of electronics fabricated with advanced techniques. The instrument will become a key piece of research infrastructure for the University of Washington and the Pacific Northwest.