Facility Support: High-Resolution X-ray Computed Tomography Laboratory

该项目将继续支持美国国家科学基金会支持德克萨斯大学的高分辨率X射线计算机层析成像设备(UTCT)，作为支持地球科学研究的共享多用户设备。计算机断层成像(CT)非常适合于许多地质应用，因为它可以非破坏性地创建岩石、化石、陨石和其他材料内部的3D图像。这项技术的成功应用需要先进的仪器和经验丰富的操作员来优化数据采集和处理，以及设计和实施严格和有针对性的3D数据分析策略的能力。UTCT既是不使用CT仪器的研究人员的高质量数据来源，也是CT数据采集和分析各个方面的经验和专业知识的储存库，既通过个人咨询和合作，也通过教授短期课程。将UTCT作为国家资源，从而减少了国家进行CT相关研究所需的仪器数量，并帮助我们确实投资的那些仪器得到最大限度的利用。UTCT在CT数据采集和处理方面的进展也被用于许多其他领域。UTCT还通过对DigiMorph数字图书馆的长期投资，在CT数据集的管理和管理方面发挥了领导作用。该项目将为UTCT设施未来三年的运营费用提供部分支持，包括工作人员、设备维护和计算基础设施。此外，资金将用于升级主要的CT仪器，以提高数据处理速度和探测器机架的灵活性，以便能够扫描较大的物体并以更高的分辨率进行扫描。该设施的支持将允许为大量用户提供及时和高质量的服务；开发新的CT方法；以及扩展HRXCT数据采集、可视化和量化方面的短期课程。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This project will continue NSF support of the University of Texas High-Resolution X-ray Computed Tomography Facility (UTCT) as a shared multi-user facility supporting geoscience research. Computed tomography (CT) is ideally suited for many geological applications, as it nondestructively creates 3D imagery of the interiors of rocks, fossils, meteorites and other materials. Successful application of this technique requires both advanced instrumentation and experienced operators to optimize data acquisition and processing, and the ability to design and implement rigorous and well-targeted 3D data analysis strategies. UTCT serves both as a source of high-quality data for investigators without access to CT instrumentation, and as a repository of experience and expertise in all aspects of CT data acquisition and analysis, both through individual consultation and collaboration and by teaching short courses. Having UTCT as a national resource thus reduces the number of instruments the nation needs to conduct CT-involved research, and helps those instruments that we do invest in to be used to best advantage. Advances in CT data acquisition and processing at UTCT have also been used in many other fields. UTCT also provides leadership in management and curation of CT data sets, through our long-term investment in the DIGIMORPH digital library. This project will provide partial support of the UTCT facility operating expenses for the next three years, including staff, equipment maintenance, and computing infrastructure. In addition, funds will be used to upgrade the primary CT instrument to enhance data processing speed and the flexibility of the detector gantry to enable scans of larger objects and scanning at higher resolution. The facility support will allow for timely and high-quality service for a large user base; development of new CT methodologies; and expansion of short courses in HRXCT data acquisition, visualization, and quantification.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.