Critical X-Ray Energy Source and Auxiliaries for an Existing Nano Computed Tomography System

这项研究工具和仪器（RTI）提案旨在替换和升级滑铁卢大学多尺度增材制造（MSAM）实验室内的x射线纳米计算机断层扫描（Nano- ct）系统的故障和故障组件。纳米ct表征能力帮助MSAM、NSERC国家战略网络“增材制造整体创新（HI-AM）”和加拿大在增材制造组件（从生物复合材料、聚合物到金属元素）的科学发现和无损检测方面走在了前列。这种纳米ct提供基于业界最佳分辨率和对比度的吞吐量热成像（700nm精度，70nm体素尺寸），实现增材制造零件的高质量无损成像-这是加拿大的独特能力。这种纳米CT的高分辨率及其基于同步加速器的成像技术为研究人员/合作者和附属工业合作伙伴提供了新的机会，使其能够超越勘探，检测市场上任何其他CT扫描仪通常无法检测到的孔隙和裂缝。凭借这种能力，纳米ct已成为大规模、持续的MSAM和HI-AM研发项目的主力，这些项目将在未来几年内延续，包括i)可持续制造的整体AM工艺开发和质量保证，ii)关节置换双相结构的新型AM工艺，iii)能源领域电池和电极的AM （3D打印）；iv)各种工业用钛、镍基和铁合金的增材制造。该提案要求资金用于更换即将到期的系统x射线能量源，并更换/升级旋转过滤轮和自动装弹机的故障控制器，以确保上述项目以及其他正在开发的项目能够继续进行。这项研究承诺开发关键的质量保证平台，这些平台是采用增材制造在加拿大批量生产关键部件所需的，以最大限度地减少对外国的依赖。该研究项目旨在解决制造业的可持续性问题，这对于许多加拿大公司来说是一个至关重要的因素，这些公司正在认真致力于通过AM和数字化的整合来减少废物，提高运营效率，以遵守其环境和社会义务。通过解决与供应链相关的问题，这些项目的产出和HQP培训将为加拿大经济做出重大贡献。

This Research Tools and Instruments (RTI) proposal aims to replace, and upgrade failed and failing components of an X-Ray Nano Computed Tomography (Nano-CT) system housed within University of Waterloo's Multi-Scale Additive Manufacturing (MSAM) Laboratory. Nano-CT characterization capability has helped place MSAM, the NSERC National Strategic Network "Holistic Innovation in Additive Manufacturing (HI-AM)", and Canada at the forefront of scientific discovery and non-destructive testing of additively manufactured components, from bio-composites and polymers to metallic elements. This Nano-CT provides throughput thermographic imaging based on industry-best resolution and contrast (700 nm precision with a 70 nm voxel size), enabling high quality non-destructive imaging of additively manufactured parts - a unique capability in Canada. The high resolution of this Nano-CT and its synchrotron-based imaging techniques have opened new opportunities for researchers/collaborators and affiliated industrial partners to move beyond exploration and detect pores and cracks that are not normally detectable by any other CT scanner on the market. With this capability, the Nano-CT has become a workhorse for large-scale, ongoing MSAM and HI-AM R&D programs that will extend through the next several years, including i) Holistic AM process development and quality assurance for sustainable manufacturing, ii) Novel AM processes for biphasic structures for joint replacements, iii) AM (3D Printing) of batteries and electrodes for the energy sector; and iv) AM of titanium, nickel-based and ferrous alloys for various industries. This proposal requests funds to replace the system's X-ray energy source, which will imminently expire, and replace/upgrade malfunctioning controllers of the rotational filter wheel and autoloader to ensure the above programs, and others under development, can continue. This research promises to develop critical quality assurance platforms that are needed for adoption of AM to serial production of critical components in Canada to minimize dependencies on foreign countries. The research programs address manufacturing sustainability that is a crucial factor for many Canadian companies that are seriously working on the waste reduction, efficiency improvement of operations through the integration of AM and digitization to comply with their environmental and social obligations. The outputs of the enabled projects and the HQP trained will contribute significantly to the Canadian economy by addressing issues associated with the supply chain.