Development of integrated software tools for image-based fabrication and finite-element modeling

CT和MRI等非破坏性成像工具的最新进展导致各种物体的定量三维图像的常规可用，这些物体包括人、动物、生物标本、昆虫、制造的装置、岩心样品、考古文物和农产品。虽然3D图像传统上在诊断应用中具有重要价值，但这些图像现在比以往任何时候都更重要，因为它们在为有限元模型以及高级添加剂制造的计算机辅助设计(CAD)模型提供边界条件方面具有立竿见影的作用。*不幸的是，由于常规构建几何模型和从3-D图像数据中提取物理参数的能力的限制，失去了研究机会。这一进程的这些关键阶段缺乏强大的、广泛可用的软件解决方案，阻碍了迅速扩大的研究领域的研究进展，这是一个重大的未得到满足的需求。现代的核磁共振和CT系统产生高精度的材料属性3D地图，这些地图通常被简化为少量的2D图像(用于查看和评估)，或有限数量的简单几何测量。我们的长期目标是从所有可用的图像数据中提取最大的价值，并将其常规地提供给广泛的研究人员。*我们提出了一个计划，以开发一套强大、高效、准确、集成的软件工具，提供灵活的能力，从非破坏性成像数据中生成准确的3D几何和计算模型，这些数据保留了原始的固有物理特性，用于数值分析。我们计划的一个优势是，我们的实验室专门从事软件/硬件组合开发，使我们能够立即应用和验证软件算法、有限元模型和CAD设计。建议的软件实用程序的应用包括：基于图像的先进添加剂制造、活体昆虫发育的表征、散射介质中光学传输的建模以及基于图像的热传输模型。*这个项目需要几个自然科学和工程领域的适当专业知识，包括：成像科学、生物机械工程、计算机科学、昆虫学、光学物理和软件工程。首席调查员在富有成效的跨学科协作和创新方面有着良好的记录，增加了项目成功并对多个加拿大研究小组产生直接影响的可能性。*

Recent advances in non-destructive imaging tools, such as CT and MRI, have resulted in the routine availability of quantitative 3-D images of a variety of objects such as humans, animals, biological specimens, insects, manufactured devices, core samples, archeological artifacts and agricultural products. While 3D images have traditionally had great value in diagnostic applications, these images are now more important than ever, because they have immediate utility in providing the boundary conditions for finite-element models, as well as computer-aided design (CAD) models for advanced additive manufacturing. ******Unfortunately, there are lost research opportunities due to limitations in the ability to routinely construct geometric models and extract physical parameters from 3-D image data. The lack of robust, widely available software solutions for these critical stages of the process is inhibiting research progress in a rapidly expanding research field and represents a significant unmet need. Modern MRI and CT systems produce highly accurate 3D maps of material properties, which are often reduced to a small number of 2D images (for viewing and assessment), or a limited number of simple geometric measurements. Our long-term goal is to extract the maximum value from all available image data, and make this routinely available to a broad cohort of researchers.******We propose a program to develop a robust, efficient, accurate, integrated suite of software tools that will provide a flexible capability to produce accurate 3-D geometric and computational models from non-destructive imaging data that retain their original intrinsic physical properties for use in numerical analysis. An advantage of our program is the fact that our laboratory specializes in combined software / hardware development, allowing us to immediately apply and validate software algorithms, finite-element models and CAD designs. Applications for the proposed software utilities include: image-based advanced additive manufacturing, characterization of development in live insects, modeling of optical transport in scattering media, and image-based models of thermal transport. ******This project requires appropriate expertise in several areas of the natural sciences and engineering, including: imaging science, biomechanical engineering, computer science, entomology, optical physics and software engineering. The Principal Investigator has a solid track record of productive transdisciplinary collaboration and innovation, increasing the likelihood of a successful program that have an immediate impact for a number of Canadian research groups.*****