CFS (Track III): High-Resolution X-ray Computed Tomography Laboratory

该奖项将继续NSF支持德克萨斯大学高分辨率X射线计算机断层扫描设备（UTCT）作为支持地球科学研究的社区设施。计算机断层扫描（CT）非常适合许多地球科学应用，因为它非破坏性地创建岩石，化石，陨石和其他材料内部的3D图像数据。 该技术的成功应用需要先进的仪器和经验丰富的操作人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既可以为没有CT仪器的研究人员提供高质量的数据来源，也可以通过个人咨询和合作以及短期课程教学，作为CT数据采集和分析各个方面的经验和专业知识库。UTCT在CT数据采集、处理和分析方面的进步也被用于许多其他领域。 UTCT还通过对UTCT的DIGIMORPH数字图书馆的长期投资，以及通过北美科学进步断层扫描（托斯卡纳）研讨会系列的社区活动，在CT数据集的管理和策展方面发挥领导作用。UTCT工作人员的个人和集体努力支持BAJEDI的目标，包括帮助招募和指导历史上代表性不足的群体的成员进行研究。该项目将在未来三年内支持大约25%的UTCT运营费用，包括人员，设备维护和计算基础设施，以及更换不再可修复的微焦点X射线源。 在过去四年的设施支持中，UTCT的研究在继续提供高质量服务的同时推进了广泛的领域，同时适应了COVID-19疫情带来的诸多困难。 该实验室升级了大部分仪器，并创建、改进和演示了几种新的3D测量方法。从2018年到2022年2月，UTCT的数据支持了330篇同行评议的出版物和43篇论文。在此期间，UTCT为196名主要研究人员提供服务，其中大多数是地球科学家，58%来自德克萨斯大学以外。该设施扩大了HRXCT数据采集、可视化和量化的短期课程，并将其调整为在线交付，以弥补COVID-19的影响。 2019年及2021年，该设施举办了另外两次托斯卡纳研讨会，这是由于疫情而进行的第二次在线研讨会，每次约有100名代表广泛学科的与会者，该设施将在奥斯汀举办2023年研讨会。 该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This award will continue NSF support of the University of Texas High-Resolution X-ray Computed Tomography Facility (UTCT) as a community facility supporting geoscience research. Computed tomography (CT) is ideally suited for many geoscience applications, as it nondestructively creates 3D image data 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. Advances in CT data acquisition, processing, and analysis developed at UTCT have also been used in many other fields. UTCT also provides leadership in management and curation of CT data sets, through a long-term investment in the DIGIMORPH digital library at UTCT, and community activity through the Tomography for Scientific Advancement, North America (ToScANA) symposium series. Individual and collective efforts by UTCT staff support BAJEDI goals, including aiding recruitment of and mentoring research by members of historically under-represented groups.This project will support roughly 25% of UTCT operating expenses for the next three years, including staff, equipment maintenance, and computing infrastructure, and replacing a no-longer-repairable microfocal X-ray source. Over the previous four years of facility support, UTCT research advanced a wide range of fronts while continuing to provide high-quality service, all while adjusting to the many difficulties imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The lab has upgraded much of the instrumentation, and created, improved, and demonstrated several new 3D measurement methodologies. From 2018 through February 2022 UTCT data supported 330 peer-reviewed publications and 43 theses and dissertations. UTCT served 196 principal investigators over this period, most of them earth scientists, with 58% from outside the University of Texas. The facility expanded its short courses in HRXCT data acquisition, visualization, and quantification, and adapted them to on-line delivery to compensate for COVID-19. In 2019 and 2021 the facility hosted two more instances of the ToScANA symposium, the second on-line due to the pandemic, with approximately 100 attendees each time representing a wide range of disciplines, and the facility will host the 2023 symposium in Austin. These symposia have also served as a rallying point for North American tomography community efforts.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.