Tomographic Imaging: UK Collaborative Computational Projects

计算机层析成像(CT)是一种强大的无损评估(NDE)技术，用于从一系列2D投影生成物体的二维横截面和三维图像。对于CT过程来说，关键是执行相互依赖的任务序列以从原始数据中提取所需信息的计算机算法流水线：i)从初始图像捕获开始的校正和校准，ii)从这些2D投影重建3D图像，iii)分析和量化3D图像中的特征，以及v)3D图像和提取的特征的2D和3D可视化和动画。他们要么使用X射线CT仪器制造商提供的黑匣子软件工具，要么充其量只编写相当原始的计算机程序，从图像中提取关键特征。英国各地的大、中、小型CT设施代表着数百万英镑的投资，由于未满足的方法和软件需求，这些投资无法实现全部回报。此外，数据分析和新计算方法的应用的最佳做法还没有在社区中定期分享，这进一步阻碍了充分发挥潜力。显然需要改进软件工具，以便从CT数据中提取信息，并在计算方法和软件方面加强CT社区之间的合作和提高整个CT社区的技能。首先，CCPI寻求提供完全开放源码的软件，涵盖整个断层成像流程，包括预处理和校准、针对不同形式的挑战性数据的各种重建算法、伪影减少代码和图像分析程序。以核心成像库(CIL)的名义发布的工具集通过易于使用的标准算法迎合经验不足的用户，并为专家用户提供充分的灵活性来构建定制的数据处理管道。其次，CCPI寻求通过网络活动、员工交流、培训和研讨会来加强和发展英国CT社区。这些活动将继续把一个由数学家、物理学家、工程师、仪器科学家、应用科学研究人员(用户)以及工业和文化遗产团体组成的高度多学科的社区联系起来。

Computed Tomography (CT) is a powerful non-destructive evaluation (NDE) technique for producing 2-D cross-sections and 3-D images of an object from a series of 2D projections. Critical to the CT process is a pipeline of computer algorithms carrying out an interdependent sequence of tasks to extract the desired information from the raw data: i) correction and calibration starting from initial image capture, ii) reconstruction of a 3D image from these 2D projections,iii) analysis and quantification of features in the 3D image, andiv) 2D and 3D visualization and animation of the 3D image and extracted features.While the techniques are rapidly growing in popularity, most users have fairly limited options when trying to recover the 3D image. They can either use black-box software tools provided by X-ray CT instrument manufacturers, or at best, write only fairly primitive computer programs to extract key features from the images. Large, mid-range and small CT facilities across the UK represent multi million pound investments of which the full return is not realised due to unmet method and software needs. Furthermore, best practices for data analysis and application of novel computational methods are yet not routinely shared across the community adding further barrier to reaching the full potential. There is a clear need improved software tools for extracting information from CT data, as well as for strengthening collaboration across and upskilling the CT community as a whole in terms of computational methods and software.The CCPi aims to address both of these issues. Firstly, the CCPi seeks to provide fully open-source software covering the full tomographic imaging pipeline including pre-processing and calibration, a variety of reconstruction algorithms for different forms of challenging data, artefact reduction codes, and image analysis procedures. The collection of tools released under the name Core Imaging Library (CIL) caters for inexperienced users by easy-to-use standard algorithms, as well as giving expert users full flexibility to construct bespoke data processing pipelines. Secondly, the CCPi seeks to strengthen and grow the UK CT community through networking activities, staff exchanges, training and seminars. The activities will continue to connect a highly multi-disciplinary community of mathematicians, physicists, engineers, instrument scientists, researchers in the applied sciences (users) as well as industry and cultural heritage groups.