National Research Facility for Lab X-ray CT

拟议的国家实验室X射线计算机断层扫描研究设施(NRF)将为多尺度和现场X射线成像提供最先进的设施。它将以中心(曼彻斯特)和星型(南安普顿、华威和伦敦大学学院)模式为基础，汇集了英国4家领先的X射线CT设施的互补优势，并提供一条既专业又面向用户的通用接入路线。我们还将与英国同步加速器设施钻石光源密切合作。通过提供对新的和现有的成像系统的访问，NRF代表着物有所值。通过在亨利·罗伊斯研究所内主办NRF的中心，我们将利用他们的学术和商业参与团队，以确保尽可能广泛的参与。拟议的NRF将在关键领域建立X射线成像能力和能力，使英国各地的学术和工业用户更容易获得X射线成像光束时间。NRF还将建立一些独特的和世界领先的能力，即用于低衰减材料的基于实验室的X射线相衬成像(XCPI)和用于非破坏性3D元素测绘的彩色(高光谱)成像。NRF将为研究人员提供XCT专业知识、设备和软件，以解决学术界和工业界的研究问题，包括但不限于物理科学。它将使学术和工业用户能够：-非破坏性地获得从2m样本到50 nm分辨率的多尺度3D信息-跟踪3D内部结构随时间的演变(延时CT或4D成像)。-跟踪材料在专业钻机提供的一系列制造和苛刻环境下的现场行为，以获得3D数据集作为模型的输入(基于图像的建模)或验证时间相关模型(时间推移研究)。-从同一感兴趣区域的一系列不同仪器获取多方面信息(相关层析成像)-提供计算、软件、利用超大型数据集提供的见解所需的数据存储和培训资源-与国家大型设施合作，为X射线成像科学提供一个联合框架NRF与大型设施一起，将成为英国X射线成像的中心，推动尖端技术的开发和应用。中心和辐条的综合用户基础经验和已建立的培训资源将用于发展协调和全面的国家能力，向学术和工业用户社区传授所需技能。将建立一个独立的X射线成像指导委员会(XISC)，其代表包括(A)物理科学用户、(B)生物医学、(C)环境和地球科学以及(D)工程，以监测国家核辐射研究的重点和交付给用户。一个公平、透明和快速进入的模式将由设施董事会实施和评判，该委员会由设施的董事、首席仪器科学家和来自辐条的联席董事、一个有代表性的钻石光源(从而确保设施共同为联合王国的利益而工作)、NPL和EPSRC以及3个用户组成。将持续监测用户反馈和关键业绩指标，以保持用户体验和开展的研究的质量，并在必要时作出改进。在更具战略性的层面上，设施委员会将听取XISC的建议，分配经常性资源，以确保用户获得最大利益。

The proposed National Research Facility (NRF) for Laboratory X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) will provide access to state-of-the-art facilities for multiscale and in situ X-ray imaging. It will be based around a hub (Manchester) and spoke (Southampton, Warwick and UCL) model that brings together the complementary strengths of 4 leading X-ray CT facilities in the UK and provides a common access route, which is both professional and user-oriented. We will also be working closely with Diamond Light Source, the UK's synchrotron facility. By offering access both to new and existing imaging systems the NRF represents good value for money. By hosting the hub of the NRF within the Henry Royce Institute we will tap into their academic and business engagement team to ensure the widest possible engagement.The proposed NRF will build X-ray imaging capacity and capability in key areas, giving improved access to X-ray imaging beamtime to both academic and industrial users across the UK. The NRF will also establish a number of unique and world-leading capabilities, namely in lab-based X-ray phase contrast imaging (XCPI) for low attenuation materials and colour (hyperspectral) imaging for non-destructive 3D elemental mapping. The NRF will provide researchers with access to XCT expertise, equipment and software to tackle research questions from academia and industry including, but not limited to, the physical sciences. It will enable academic and industrial users to:- obtain multiscale 3D information non-destructively across scales from 2 m samples down to 50 nm resolution- follow the evolution of internal structure in 3D over time (time-lapse CT or 4D imaging). - follow the behaviour of materials in situ under a range of manufacturing and demanding environments provided by specialised rigs to obtain 3D datasets as an input to models (image-based modelling) or to validate time dependent models (time lapse studies).- acquire multifaceted information from a range of different instruments for the same region of interest (correlative tomography)- provide the computing, software, data storage and training resources needed to exploit the insights offered by the extremely large datasets- work with national large-scale facilities to provide a joined-up framework for X-ray imaging scienceTogether with the large-scale facilities the NRF will act as a focal point for X-ray imaging in the UK driving leading-edge technique development and applications. The combined user-base experience and established training resources of the hub and spokes will be used to develop a coordinated and comprehensive national capability to impart the skills needed to the academic and industrial user communities.An independent X-ray Imaging Steering Committee (XISC) with representation from (a) physical science users, (b) biomedical, (c) environmental & earth sciences, and (d) engineering will be created to monitor the NRFs focus and delivery to users. A fair, transparent and rapid access model will be implemented and judged by the Facilities Board comprising the Directors of the Facility, the Principal Instrument Scientist and the Co-Directors from the spokes, a representative Diamond Light Source (thereby ensuring that the Facilities work together for the benefit of the UK), NPL and EPSRC as well as 3 users. User feedback and key performance indicators will be continuously monitored to maintain the quality of the user experience and the research that is undertaken and make improvements where necessary. At a more strategic level, taking advice from the XISC the Facilities Board will allocate the recurrent resources to ensure maximum user benefit.