Mid-Range Facilities - Statement of Need - 2015
Name of the facility:(100 characters max)
Multiscale and in situ X-Ray Computed Tomography Mid-Range Facility
Authors
Name:
Professor Philip Withers
Department:
School of Materials
University:
University of Manchester
The primary EPSRC capability theme in whose remit this facility falls:
Engineering
Any other EPSRC theme supporting research that would use this facility.Please list only the most relevant
ones.
Physical Sciences
ICT
Mathematics
Biomaterials & Tissue Engineering
Medical Imaging
A brief description of the type of facility service proposed, and its function. An indication of what the facility
should provide to be of maximum benefit to the research community (for example, what size should it be, what
technologies should it have available, how many staff would it need). (2 A4 pages; 9,000 characters incl.
spaces)
X-ray computed tomography (CT) is developing rapidly, shining new light on manufacturing
(growth)/structure/property/in-service degradation (and healing) relationships for engineered (and natural)
materials in 3D. It is opening up new areas of research in, for instance, materials engineering, energy,
life/biomedical materials sciences, and palaeontology/earth sciences. In particular, it can:
• provide 3D information non-destructively
• provide a multifaceted information across scales from 500mm to 10nm for the same region of interest
(correlative tomography)
• follow the evolution of internal structure in 3D over time (time-lapse CT)
• study the behaviour of materials in operando
• provide 3D datasets as an input to models (image based modelling) or validate time dependent models (time
lapse studies).
There has been a sharp increase in groups applying tomography either using lab systems or synchrotron
beamlines (see Section 3) across a wide range of disciplines from nuclear physicists to soil scientists, from
curators to chemical engineers. Some (novice) groups have neither the funding to purchase systems, nor the
expertise to run and exploit X-ray CT. The MRF will avoid unnecessary duplication of capital, but also ensure
that systems are properly maintained and the data fully utilised. Many (expert) groups have mid-size CT
systems. These tend to occupy the mid-range in terms of imaging capability (generally samples 1-50mm and
resolution from 3-20ï• m). Such groups are coming up against three limitations:
A brief description of the type of facility service proposed, and its function. An indication of what the facility
should provide to be of maximum benefit to the research community (for example, what size should it be, what
technologies should it have available, how many staff would it need). (2 A4 pages; 9,000 characters incl.
spaces)
They are limited to a specific length scale: Users with 1 CT system are restricted to the sample size and
spatial resolution they can image and need access to an integrated suite of scanners (even extending down
into electron microscopy length scales).
They can’t do real-time experiments: Basic systems cannot house complex in situ rigs and so users can only
extend CT from 3D to 4D to follow materials behaviour in operando by accessing synchrotrons such as
Diamond Light Source (DLS), which have severe beamtime limits and are heavily over-subscribed.
They don’t have the expertise or hardware: to manipulate, analyse and visualise large volumes (terabytes,
Tb) of data.
A Mid-Range Facility (MRF) will cost-effectively open up X-ray CT to occasional users and bridge the gap
between the static X-ray imaging available using basic CT systems and the short term access to high flux
systems available at the large scale synchrotron sources for expert users. The MRF would complement
synchrotron facilities in terms of sample size and experiment time scales allowing users to exploit the
advantages of each, facilitating the transition from bench to beamline through the interchange of resources
such as in situ rigs.
This bid reflects information gathered from i) a survey of the needs of the UK tomography community, ii)
discussion sessions at the UK X-ray tomography conference (TOSCA 2015) and iii) direct input from over 30
academics to this proposal. This has highlighted a number of requirements for the MRF in 3D X-ray imaging
to provide:
A. Multiscale imaging: a single CT system can cover only a small range of scales. By connecting together a
suite of 5 scanners, users will be able to study phenomena from 500mm down to 50nm scales in one facility.
B. Time lapse CT: few systems are optimised for time-lapse experiments. The MRF would cover a wide range
of temporal studies from years to minutes – complementing the short term-high frame rate studies at
synchrotrons.
C. Correlated physical, chemical & X-ray imaging: the MRF would couple X-ray to electron microscopy
imaging extending to the nanoscales and providing different types of information (structural, crystallographic,
chemical etc) on the same region of interest. The MRF would be the only combined X-ray and electron
imaging lab in the world.
D. Insight into larger/denser samples: there is UK demand to image large/high density materials &
components especially in engineering and geology/palaeontology.
E. 3D grain mapping: mapping of grains in 2D by EBSD has revolutionised the study of materials science; it
has just become possible to image grains in 3D non-destructively using a specially adapted lab CT system,
shedding light on a range of intergranular/textural effects in natural and synthetic materials and providing 3D
crystalline microstructures for 3D modelling studies.
F. Access to in situ rigs: groups are currently limited in what they can see by the environments they can
replicate within the scanner. The MRF will have a wide range of in situ rigs for materials engineering,
biomaterials and geology.
G. Advanced data storage, reconstruction and analysis software and hardware: rapid increases in data
acquisition rates mean that Tb of data can be acquired in hours, which places very heavy demands on data
storage, reconstruction and analysis. The MRF will provide the necessary customised ICT infrastructure (i.e.
fibre network, servers, workstations, backup systems) that smaller/ local installations are unable to provide.
H. A dedicated support team of technicians and experimental officers: is essential in order for effective use of
equipment and to exploit recent advances in CT (such as multiscale imaging and time-lapse CT). This is
especially important for new users with no CT capability/ experience and users from technically challenging
disciplines such as the biosciences. A Project Manager will serve to facilitate applications, manage projects to
completion and provide a point of contact for all users. Support will also be provided in data analysis and
visualisation.
I. Sample preparation facilities: to handle and study hazardous or challenging samples with routine preprescribed methods for scanning. Such samples include wet, powder, and cryogenically frozen samples
thereby providing an interface to the life sciences and processing sciences (e.g. chemical engineering, energy
materials). The facility will also provide the ability to excise small regions of interest identified by medium
resolution X-ray imaging for high resolution X-ray or electron microscopy examination, either in the facility or
within the user’s home lab.
The Facility will provide experimental support across a number of levels:
‘Postal’ service: for users with very limited expertise and only occasional need for X-ray imaging
Fully supported experiments: these experiments might be carried out by new users or may be very
challenging experiments carried out with the full support of the facility, both in terms of planning and execution
but also in terms of the quantification of the data.
A brief description of the type of facility service proposed, and its function. An indication of what the facility
should provide to be of maximum benefit to the research community (for example, what size should it be, what
technologies should it have available, how many staff would it need). (2 A4 pages; 9,000 characters incl.
spaces)
Expert users: these experiments will be performed by advanced (regular) visiting teams who will require full
access to the facilities but only limited technical support in order to undertake their experiments.
We envisage 3 access schemes:
Beamtime free at the point of access (FATPOA): 25% of the available beamtime will be for relatively short
"proof-of-principle" type experiments and aimed at new users, PhD studies, projects identified through our
new community workshops, etc.
Grant funded access: this will be the normal route by which established users will undertake experiments
within the facility and will represent 60-75% of the beam days.
Industry Access: this will be limited to no more than 15% of the MRF time and will be charged at a higher rate
than academic access to reflect the EPSRC’s capital and infrastructural investment.
Of course, following successful experiments at the MRF some users will become experienced and decide to
purchase their own systems, however the unique nature of some of the instruments will mean they would be
best suited to an expert Facility. The wider user base is expected to continually be refreshed, in part through
community engagement workshops, and as the MRF opens up 3D imaging to new communities.
A description of who will benefit from the existence of this facility, including the number and type of
researchers (both academic and industrial) in the UK who are likely to want to use it. Information should be
provided on the likely main users, where they will be based, and projected growth in the user base over the
next 5 years. Where appropriate, please indicate the need for remote access and any other specific access
requirements in order for the research community to get optimal benefits from the facility.(1 A4 page; 4,500
characters incl. spaces)
The UK X-ray tomography community is increasing dramatically, with over 500 UK academics, PDRAs and
PhD students currently applying the technique. This growth is reflected in the number of papers published per
year by UK authors exploiting lab. based X-ray CT which is currently increasing exponentially, being 30x
greater than 10 years ago (560 materials, 57 paleo, 126 biomed, 56 geo in 2014). No comprehensive
database of the type of users exists, but >530 users from >35 UK universities have accessed the specialised
facilities of Manchester (Mcr) & Southampton (Soton) X-ray Facilities alone, and their broad disciplines are
listed:
Materials 173 Archaeology/ Paleo. 29
Mechanical & Civil Eng. 116 Life sciences 25
Medicine & Dentistry 75 Computing 14
Earth Sciences 54 Other 21
Biomaterials 29
Many of these researchers are not traditional users of X-ray systems and have little expertise in 2D let alone
3D quantification methods. In all these disciplines, the number of X-ray CT users is expected to continue to
increase over the next 5 years at a similar rate to that over the last 10 (approx. doubling every 3 years). The
demand from the Advanced Materials community will be stimulated by the creation of the £235M Sir Henry
Royce Institute (Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, Liverpool, Cambridge, Oxford, ICL), while the Engineering user
base will grow due to £138M funding for the materials test facilities in the UK Collaboration for Research in
Infrastructure & Cities (UKCRIC) (13 universities, coordinated by UCL). Additionally, demand from Medicine &
Biomaterials users will increase with investment in the Francis Crick Institute (KCL, ICL, UCL).
In parallel with the growth in the community the number of X-ray lab. CT systems has increased sharply,
especially mid-size machines (5-20 micron resolution). These are going into Materials, Chemical Engineering,
Earth Science, Life Science and Manufacturing labs, as well as museums.
Two main types of academic users are envisaged for the MRF - a) novices who need occasional access,
have no lab. CT systems of their own and who will need fully supported beamtime access; b) experts who
have systems of their own but need the specialised facilities that the MRF will provide and need minimal
technical support. While limited Free at the Point of Access (FATPOA) time will be available to UK academic
researchers seeking initial proof of concept results for grant applications, both communities will be expected
to fund their access to the facilities through traditional research grants (no repeat FATPOA applications).
In a small number of cases users may send samples (postal service) for imaging but this will not be a major
A description of who will benefit from the existence of this facility, including the number and type of
researchers (both academic and industrial) in the UK who are likely to want to use it. Information should be
provided on the likely main users, where they will be based, and projected growth in the user base over the
next 5 years. Where appropriate, please indicate the need for remote access and any other specific access
requirements in order for the research community to get optimal benefits from the facility.(1 A4 page; 4,500
characters incl. spaces)
thrust of the MRF because the immediacy of the imaging method means much can be added to an
experiment by the intervention of the user, even if not expert in the acquisition or analysis process. As the
time spent analysing data is often 10 to 100x longer than the time needed to acquire it, remote access to the
facility will be enabled for users to gain access to the analysis suite as many will not have sufficiently powerful
computing facilities to analyse and visualise their datasets at home. In certain cases, experiments will be
undertaken by the facility team to facilitate 3D multiscale modelling activity; these datasets will be made
available to the whole community online.
Community building workshops will be held to bring together potential users to explore the insights that 3D
and 4D X-ray imaging can provide and to help them design proof of concept experiments. Some FATPOA
time will be allocated to facilitate such studies thus growing the research community and the scope of the
work carried out within the MRF.
There is considerable industrial demand for X-ray CT, as evidenced by the >100 different companies
accessing Mcr and Soton facilities in recent years. Sector examples include: aerospace (9 companies), land
transport (7), healthcare (13), defence (9) and materials suppliers (16). In most circumstances industrial users
don’t have the skills to plan, acquire or analyse 3D X-ray imaging data and an MRF would be needed to cope
with the anticipated growth in use; this service provision could be directly funded by industry income thus
contributing to sustainable funding. The MRF project manager would assist SMEs in bidding for collaborative
R&D funding, e.g. Innovate UK, enabling access to the Facility for companies of all sizes.
An indication of which of EPSRC’s strategic priorities are met by the research enabled by the proposed facility,
and how these priorities would be met. A community perspective of the research enabled/supported by the
proposed facility and the value added to existing research programmes and research priorities within the
EPSRC themes that cover this remit. If the facility would enable cross-disciplinary research, please state here
in which council’s remit this would fall. An explanation of why this facility is now needed or will be needed in the
future.(2 A4 pages; 9,000 characters incl. spaces)
The proposed X-ray CT MRF would sit at the heart of the EPSRC’s Research Infrastructure portfolio
particularly supporting the rapid maturation of Advanced Materials but also more widely, lying squarely at the
intersection of Engineering, ICT, Physical Sciences and Mathematical Sciences. In engineering, X-ray CT has
become a key analysis technique in areas such as Fluid dynamics and Aerodynamics (current EPSRC
portfolio £57M), Materials Engineering (metals, alloys & composites; £50.7M combined), Manufacturing
Technologies (£7.9M) and Performance and Inspection of Mechanical Structures and Systems (£39.2M). The
role of CT is anticipated to increase in these areas as innovative developments such as in situ rigs, colour
tomography and time lapse analysis progress. This bid reflects input from a very wide consultation from which
it is clear that the MRF would support the engineering priority challenge themes, as illustrated in the
exemplars of community proposed imaging experiments below:
Manufacturing the Future - The ability to visualise: the evolution of microstructural features through a
manufacturing process on a single sample is a key accelerator in process optimisation including changes of
material state/ properties during the manufacturing process; Defect populations before and after secondary
processing (e.g. HIPing); Nanostructured architectures as function of freeze casting processing conditions.
Healthcare Technologies - Dissolution of slow drug delivery agents; Analysis of neovascularisation (e.g.
cancer) using vascular corrosion casting; In situ loading of tendons, ligaments, arteries and other soft tissues.
Energy - In situ characterisation of corrosion scale formation on linepipe steel; Imaging unconventional (shale
oil/gas) reservoir cores; Damage progression in next-generation materials for fusion reactor walls &
structures. Infrastructure & Sustainability - Crack growth in concrete; Performance and failure mechanisms of
protective coatings; Carbon sequestration in geological materials.
An indication of which of EPSRC’s strategic priorities are met by the research enabled by the proposed facility,
and how these priorities would be met. A community perspective of the research enabled/supported by the
proposed facility and the value added to existing research programmes and research priorities within the
EPSRC themes that cover this remit. If the facility would enable cross-disciplinary research, please state here
in which council’s remit this would fall. An explanation of why this facility is now needed or will be needed in the
future.(2 A4 pages; 9,000 characters incl. spaces)
It would directly support the EPSRC’s Engineering ‘Grand Challenges’ (April 2015 funding call), especially
‘Challenge 3: Engineering across length scales, from atoms to applications’ through the application of
multiscale and multimodal Correlative Tomography. It would accelerate the design across the scales for both
products and systems, and bridge the ‘meso-scale gap’ identified in the Challenge.
The X-ray CT MRF would link to the ICT theme serving as a focal point for the development of software for
3D analysis and visualisation of data, with benefits into medical imaging. EPSRC research areas most
impacted are Software Engineering (£15.6M) and Digital signal processing (£12.9M); both being priority
growth areas. The MRF will link up with software developers (and indeed instrument manufacturers) and
would therefore influence technological advances in imaging, channel input from the community and
disseminate advances. Relating to ‘Challenge 3’, currently X-ray imaging covers only a part of the ICT
materials lengthscale – but by combining X-ray and EM the proposed MRF will cover nano to macro.
Furthermore, CT will enable directed destructive Focussed Ion Beam based 3D analysis, further supporting
ICT materials development and wider nano-fabrication research.
Community suggestions focussed on materials for ICT - supporting device diagnostics; Characterisation of
nanofabricated 3D structures; Multiscale studies of device materials.
The advancement of Mathematics will be essential to the success of an X-ray CT MRF. Algorithms and code
development are vital to analysis software for advanced reconstruction, and in coping with the terabytes of
data as CT systems evolve. Mathematicians in an interdisciplinary MRF team will aid in the development of
algorithms to accelerate the frame rate at which CT images can be collected in the lab., resulting in faster/
lower dose and more cost effective imaging. This MRF team would develop and support public domain image
analysis solutions and work with the large scale facilities to provide a common platform for analysis through
the Collaborative Computational Project on X-ray CT (CCPi).
The Physical Sciences overlap with the other EPSRC themes outlined above, and an X-ray CT would
potentially add value to all the research areas. Analytical Sciences (£41.8M) is an obvious match, but two
other research areas of note are Materials for Energy Applications (£24.2M) and Functional Ceramics and
Inorganics (£46.6M). Community proposed experiments in this theme include –
Materials for Energy Application - Behaviour of whole battery systems and fuel cells operating at high
temperatures (up to 1000oC); Study of electrode materials for batteries and fuel cells, including in-operando
measurements. Functional Ceramics and Inorganics - Self-healing MAX phase ceramics; Imaging of Triso
nuclear fuel particles (Si-C coated).
Cross-disciplinary areas with tremendous potential are Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering (£47.2M) and
Medical Imaging (£84.6M) that impact into the UK Regenerative Medicine Platform (ESPSRC, BBSRC and
MRC). The life sciences have been quick to adopt correlative imaging in 2D, bringing together multiple
imaging modalities onto the same area of interest but X-ray imaging of soft tissue is very much in its infancy.
The MRF would provide access to the necessary equipment and technical expertise to allow new users to
apply correlative tomography, revealing information of volumes of interest as well. This research crosses over
to animal healthcare too, fulfilling the BBSRC aspiration of 'One Health’; collaboration between veterinary and
human medicine to improve the health and wellbeing of animals and humans alike. A specific example would
be the imaging of the microstructure of equine bone at sites predisposed to fracture to understand the
response to exercise. Community proposed imaging ideas include –
Medical/ bioengineering - Cell in-growth into bioengineered scaffolds; Structural behaviour of biomaterials
under dynamic loading; High-res. imaging of bone for FE modelling. Palaeobiology - characterisation of
biomaterial function in extinct species. Palaeobiomimetics - (the elucidation of bioengineering in extinct
species): analysis of early cellular fossil records to better understand early evolution.
With regards to training and career development, an X-ray CT MRF would host and support interdisciplinary
researchers. Specifically, the proposed MRF would:
o Encourage transformative research: allow free access for proof of concept experiments, vital to early career
researchers to feed data into subsequent grant applications.
o Give affordable student training in X-ray imaging and 3D quantification and analysis both generally and to
the EPSRC Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs).
o Create a hub of collaboration giving researchers exposure to industrial partnership.
o Encourage teaching and outreach opportunities, aiding researchers’ career development.
o Increase global collaborations through hosting international visitor experiments.
An indication of which of EPSRC’s strategic priorities are met by the research enabled by the proposed facility,
and how these priorities would be met. A community perspective of the research enabled/supported by the
proposed facility and the value added to existing research programmes and research priorities within the
EPSRC themes that cover this remit. If the facility would enable cross-disciplinary research, please state here
in which council’s remit this would fall. An explanation of why this facility is now needed or will be needed in the
future.(2 A4 pages; 9,000 characters incl. spaces)
The X-ray CT MRF is designed to complement the STFC and EPSRC supported large scale facilities, both in
terms of ensuring that only experiments needing the special capabilities of synchrotron X-ray beams are done
at synchrotrons, but also by supporting experiments that span wide timescales, i.e. using the synchrotron for
the fast aspects and the MRF for the longer ones. Similarly, the sharing of rigs and establishing a common
data visualisation and analysis activity would be of great strategic benefit.
This Facility is needed now as X-ray CT is expanding rapidly, and with timely investment the UK could
become truly World leading in this field. At a wider UK policy level, an X-ray CT MRF could support most, if
not all, of the "Eight Great Technologies" [Rt Hon David Willetts MP, Policy Exchange 2013], especially the
following: (1) Big data revolution and energy-efficient computing (i.e. novel algorithm development for
managing large data sets); (2) Satellites (i.e. scanning of Si-C metal matrix composite propellant tanks); (5)
Regenerative medicine (i.e. using XCT to scan damaged joints to blueprint bioengineered replacements); (7)
New advanced materials (i.e. correlated CT-physical-chemical characterisation of materials to provide rich
information for multi-physics modelling allowing new materials to be designed from first principles); (8) Energy
storage (i.e. observation of novel battery technologies under cyclic charge / discharge operation). Indeed it
could be argued that X-ray CT is a ‘Great Technology’ in itself, and it certainly would meet the three criteria
that were used for the above list: firstly it is an important area of scientific advance. Secondly, Britain has a
distinctive capability, and thirdly it has reached the stage where new technologies are emerging with
identifiable commercial opportunities.
A description of the potential impact the proposed facility would have on the research community, across the
range of types of impact (scientific/academic, people, economic, skills and training, socio-economic etc.), and
a clearly thought through pathway for accelerating the identified impacts. For further guidance, please refer
to http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/funding/howtoapply/preparing/impactguidance/(1 A4 page; 4,500 characters incl.
spaces)
Impact on academia
The MRF will greatly advantage the UK academic community providing access to a range of scales within a
correlative framework unparalleled anywhere in the world. Not only will this provide the physical infrastructure
to do state-of-the-art multiscale and in operando imaging, but it will provide a low inertia environment in which
novel and exciting experiments can be undertaken. Just as vital will be assistance with data analysis &
visualisation; the sheer volume of data (Tb) that is acquired within a single experiment is a real obstacle to
inexperienced users in extracting valuable insights. The MRF will provide a pathway to a series of impacts:
Skilled people - There is a shortage of people able to collect 3D data and analyse it effectively. With its expert
support team and instrument & software development capabilities, the MRF will provide students across many
disciplines with technical experience training in the latest imaging techniques. Courses in X-ray methods,
image analysis & visualisation will open up the field to many disciplines and ensure developments in X-ray CT
are transferred to researchers at all levels.
Delivering new imaging capabilities - The MRF will have the research power to collaborate with equipment
manufacturers, enabling rapid and constructive development of both hardware & software, ensuring the MRF
(therefore the UK) is in the vanguard of new breakthroughs.
New analysis algorithms - Wider academia will benefit from the new software & algorithms necessary to
extract maximum value from X-ray data, made available to the UK community through the CCPi.
Opening up CT to new communities - Sandpit style workshops will introduce new users to CT, to explore the
opportunities/ limitations of CT in their field, and provide a small amount of FOTPOA beamtime for fully
supported proof of concept studies.
Internationally leading - It will be an international beacon of excellence developing global collaborations and
increasing capabilities, and be a magnate for European collaborators enabling UK academics to participate in
EU funding proposals.
Better grant proposals - FOTPOA will enable users to develop better proposals and access to in situ rigs and
whole scale imaging will make for really exciting experiments.
Integrated within the UK research infrastructure - It will be linked to the synchrotron facilities at Diamond Light
Source (DLS) enabling a coherent, cost effective use of facilities and expanding the time/length scales that
can be studied. In situ rigs will be developed so that they can be operated at either Facility and users will be
A description of the potential impact the proposed facility would have on the research community, across the
range of types of impact (scientific/academic, people, economic, skills and training, socio-economic etc.), and
a clearly thought through pathway for accelerating the identified impacts. For further guidance, please refer
to http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/funding/howtoapply/preparing/impactguidance/(1 A4 page; 4,500 characters incl.
spaces)
able to track materials’ changes over short (DLS) and long (MRF) timescales seamlessly. The imaging suite
will enable cost efficient use of UK research spend, and MRF will host in situ rigs developed by specific
communities widening their benefit.
Impact on industry
Providing Industry with fully supported 3D imaging: MRF will flexibly engage with industry, enabling the
troubleshooting of industrial problems (fast turnaround) and for new R&D activities, either small scale SME
interactions or long projects with established industrial users. The MRF will directly impact on a very wide
range of energy and manufacturing sectors, including O&G, nuclear, alternative energy, aerospace,
automotive and construction. Additional benefit will come from diverse areas such as airport security,
biomedical materials and regenerative medicine, defence, cultural heritage and palaeontology.
Impact on wider society
The research of an MRF will directly impact on (inter)national wider society through healthcare, e.g. lower
dose medical imaging by developing reconstruction algorithms requiring fewer radiographs, and the
accelerated maturation of biomedical materials. The Facility could contribute to energy efficiency through e.g.
quantifying the degradation of lightweight materials under in-service conditions, new insights into battery
design, and studying multiphase fluid flows through rocks supporting enhanced oil recovery. An MRF would
aid in public engagement as 3D imaging movies have a tremendous ability to communicate science to the
public and policy makers. There will be an active programme of public engagement, from school student
placements to open days to hosting visits from funders. Recent CCPi developments have led to 3D
touchscreens enabling the public to explore images. The MRF will be able to capture exciting new image
datasets to engage funders and for public interest.
What facilities of this type already exist (a) at the university level, (b) at the national or regional level and
(c) at the international level? How accessible are these existing facilities to UK academics? An explanation of
how the proposed facility will compliment or enhance local, regional and/or national research capability. If
EPSRC was unable to support this facility, what would the research community do? (for example, in terms of
seeking access to non-UK facilities).(1 A4 page; 4,500 characters incl. spaces)
The majority of research universities now have one or more micro CT systems, overwhelmingly based on
<200kV benchtop machines. These can provide very good static images, albeit over a relatively narrow length
scale range. The primary UK centres of excellence are the Henry Moseley X-ray Imaging Facility at Mcr
(HMXIF), the µVIS X-ray Imaging Centre at Southampton (Soton), and the Hounsfield Facility at Nottingham.
QMUL has extensive X-ray CT expertise, UCL is also purchasing multiple X-ray imaging machines. HMXIF
comprises 9 X-ray scanners covering a range of scales from mm to nm and is pioneering time-lapse (4D)
analysis and colour X-ray CT. The facilities were expanded by £18M funding (HEFCE) and £4.2M investment
(EPSRC), with an EPSRC platform grant ensuring continuity of expertise. It has 3 instruments unique in the
UK and relationships with Zeiss, FEI, Rapiscan & Nikon leading to a number of first generation instruments
and in situ rigs. The Soton centre consists of 5 scanners supporting a wide range of sample sizes (imaged
volumes up to 1.5 x 1 x 1m) and has the only 450kV large sample imaging system in UK academia. The
Hounsfield Facility’s 3 X-ray scanners are primarily used to investigate botanical samples. QMUL is focused
on technique developments. Industry access to all these facilities is on a charge basis using daily rates and
>100 companies have exploited these facilities to date. Usage of the machines is limited by the number of
beam days that can be supported with current funding, preventing wider access.
At the national level, researchers can apply for synchrotron X-ray beam time at Diamond on 2 beamlines. The
high flux allows fast imaging at high resolutions combined with specialist rigs. Beamline I12 ‘JEEP’ provides a
very high intensity (hard X-ray) beam well suited to engineering materials; beamline I13 developed jointly with
Mcr is capable of imaging at energies <20kV. Internationally, synchrotrons (ESRF, SLS, APS) are building
more imaging beamlines because demand is extremely strong. Typically these examine samples <50mm in
dimensions and can image at very short timescales. As to lab. facilities some strong groups are emerging
particularly Ghent in Belgium, BAM in Berlin, UTCT Texas, CQI at Penn State, XCTF at Carnegie Mellon.
Most have 2-4 lab. systems. No centres integrate X-ray and electron microscopy across the scales.
Community discussions have revealed high demand for: supported access to machines across a range of
scales, help with quantification, access to in situ rigs and better facilities for data analysis. The MRF will meet
all these needs. There is interest in scanning samples that fall outside of current capability (size or resolutions
required) with growing demand to scan dense or large samples (significantly >30cm), e.g. large fossils,
engineering components. These challenging samples require energies well over 200kV, e.g. in the last 3
What facilities of this type already exist (a) at the university level, (b) at the national or regional level and
(c) at the international level? How accessible are these existing facilities to UK academics? An explanation of
how the proposed facility will compliment or enhance local, regional and/or national research capability. If
EPSRC was unable to support this facility, what would the research community do? (for example, in terms of
seeking access to non-UK facilities).(1 A4 page; 4,500 characters incl. spaces)
years Soton has carried out >100 scan jobs requiring 300-450kV. This technology is no longer state-of-theart, 750 kV will soon become available, extending both the density/size of samples that can be imaged but
also the spatial resolution that can be achieved. At the other end of the scale, there is demand for high res.
scanning now possible with nano-CT instruments, e.g. internal structure of 3D printed materials.
The MRF would complement Diamond by (i) allowing researchers access to lab-based X-ray CT to strengthen
their applications for beam time; (ii) Engaging researchers on a broader scale, inevitably leading to more
interest & beam time applications; (iii) Facilitating researchers in the transition between static X-ray imaging in
home labs and short term access to high res. synchrotron facilities.
Without EPSRC funding for an MRF:
• A critical mass of (technical & academic) expertise will be difficult to build and sustain, with knowledge
fragmented;
• X-ray imaging would remain a largely static post mortem exercise, with limited access to in situ
environments;
• ‘Home-made’ in situ rigs may be built to service individual groups, duplicating costs & effort;
• Groups will come up with one off quantification algorithms, potentially underutilising the information content
of 3D images;
• Applications for Diamond beam time will be submitted for experiments that could be more cost effectively
undertaken on lab. systems simply because of limited access;
• There will be limited opportunities for ‘proof-of-principle’ CT experiments by new users.