Multiscale x-ray imaging facility for monitoring and modelling structural evolution in situ

虽然基于实验室的3D x射线成像仪正在成为材料科学实验室可用的工具包的一部分，就像传统的电子显微镜一样，但大多数系统只配备用于检查小的“死亡”人工制品。另一方面，基于同步加速器的x射线成像可以更灵活地使用实验空间和仪器配置，并提供更高的分辨率，但大多数用户每年只能使用几天；排除许多重要的实验；特别是那些需要花费许多天来设置的复杂示例环境，或者状态变化需要花费数天的环境。本计划旨在建立一套x射线层析成像设备，以开展广泛的地标性实验，远远超出提案人的利益。我们将建立一个框架，通过该框架，物理科学内外的用户可以访问该设施，无论他们位于英国的哪个地方。重点将放在不容易在台式系统上完成的实验上，也不是最适合同步加速器研究设施的实验，或者仅仅需要在访问同步加速器之前进行实验。不可能猜测所有将出现的应用程序，特别是那些来自曼彻斯特大学以外的应用程序，但曼彻斯特大学内部证明有需求和兴趣的例子包括：+纤维结构（生物材料和纸张/纺织品）；测试非织造布性能模型和优化支架细胞生长+裂纹扩展-使用相衬来揭示裂纹起裂和高分辨率感兴趣的区域研究，以监测裂纹生长速率和裂纹形态+原位粉末加工：提取有关粉末运动和巩固的3D信息+冶金：使用相衬来测量3D相显微结构+腐蚀和保护：利用高分辨率成像技术来监测3D +软固体加工过程中晶间应力腐蚀的演变；利用相衬技术来描述加工过程中的微小变化如何导致聚合物复合材料形态的巨大变化；利用相衬技术来突出损伤；监测损伤演变+生物材料：提取可以模拟和测试的结构，以学习自然界的教训+多孔介质：表征初始结构并测量它们对流体、变形等的反应+地质材料：为地震建模和性能预测提供输入数据+古生物学：利用相位对比来揭示化石结构+牙科材料：作为曼彻斯特大学的一项战略投资，该设施将对曼彻斯特大学工程和物理科学学院以及外部的用户开放，并为其提供访问安排和支持。基于光束线的设施将与同步加速器设施的提议者正在开发的设施有许多共同之处。这意味着实验可以根据需要在两者之间切换。这也意味着一些开发出来的软件可以从一个平台转移到另一个平台。

While laboratory based 3D x-ray imagers are becoming as much a part of the toolkit available in materials science labs as traditional electron microscopy, most systems are equiped only to examine small 'dead' artefacts. Synchrotron based X-ray imaging on the other hand offers much more flexible use of experimental space and instrumental configuration as well as offering higher resolution, but access is limited for most users to a few days per year; precluding many important experiments; particularly those with complex sample environments which take many days to set up, or for which the change in state takes place over days.This project is aimed at establishing an X-ray tomographic imaging facility that will open up a wide range of land mark experiments far beyond the interests of the proposers. We will put in place a framework by which users from within the physical sciences and beyond can access the facility no matter where they are located in the UK. Emphasis will be on experiments that cannot easily be done on bench-top systems, nor are best suited to synchrotron research facilities, or simply require experimentation prior to a visit to a synchrotron. It is not possible to second guess all the applications that will arise, especially those proposed from outside the Univesity of Manchester, but examples where there is a proven need and interest from within the University of Manchester include: + fibrous architectures (biomaterials & paper/textiles): to test models for the performance of non-wovens and to optimise scaffolds for cell growth + crack propagation - using phase contrast to reveal crack initiation and high resolution region of interest studies to monitor crack growth rates and crack morlphologies + in-situ powder processing: to extract information in 3D about powder movement and consolidation + metallurgy: to use phase contrast to measure phase microstructures in 3D + corrosion and protection: to exploit high resolution imaging to monitor the evolution of intergranular stress corrosion in 3D + soft solids processing: using phase contrast to delineate how small changes in processing can lead to big changes in morphology + polymer composites: exploiting phase contrast to highlight damage; and monitoring damage evolution + biomaterials: extracting structures that can be modelled and tested virtually to learn natures lessons + porous media: to characterise initial structures and to measure their reponse to fluids, deformation etc + geological materials: to provide input data for seismic modelling and performance prediction + paleontology: exploiting phase contrast to reveal fossil structures + dental materials: to optimise formulation/microstructure /property relationsAs a strategic investment from the University, the Facility will be on open access to users from across the Engineering and Physical Sciences Faculty at the University of Manchester as well as those outside, for which access arrangements and support will be in place.The beamline-based facility will have much in common with those being developed by the proposers at synchrotron facilties. This will mean that experiments can be switched between the two according to need. It also means that some software developed will be transferable from one to the other.