Skyscan 1072 Micro-Computed Tomography
The Micro-CT uses a microfocus X-ray source to visualise the surface and internal structures of a specimen in three dimensions, without extensive or destructive specimen preparation. The maximum resolution attainable with the Micro-CT is approximately 2µm, however this depends on the size of the sample being scanned. At lower resolutions (24µm) sample sizes may be as big as 5cm³, while at higher resolutions the maximum sample size may be 4-5mm³. The energy of the X-ray beam is also variable (up to 100KeV 98µA) to adjust for specimens of various densities.

During scanning, the specimen is rotated in small increments over 180°C or 360°C and an X-ray projection image is captured at each step. After scanning, a cone-beam reconstruction program is used to turn the projection images into a stack of 1000 cross-sections. These cross-sections can be used with a variety of image analysis and 3D volume rendering software packages for 2D or 3D morphometrical analysis, or to produce 3D images and animations.

Micro-CT relies on a density difference between the structure of interest and the surrounding material. Porous materials (minerals, ceramics, polymers) are particularly suited to this method. Other applications include bone, teeth, lung tissue, archaeological and paleontological specimens, coral and wood.

Example:
Fig. 1: 3D rendering of rat trabecular bone.
Fig. 2: 3D rendering of the pore spaces and silicate inclusions in a mineral sample.

Specialists: Dr Allan Jones, Dennis Dwarte, Adam Sikorski.

XRD Siemens D5000
This X-ray diffraction unit (Theta/2Theta) has tube with Cu target and maximum power 2200W and is designed to study crystal faces on the flat specimen's surface.

• The specimen stage can hold for powder or solid specimens.
• Maximum size of specimen is: 50mm x 50mm x 20mm.
• Scan range is: 1-150deg.

Example:
Typical XRD scan: y-intensity, x-peak position. A series of peak position is characteristic for crystal faces. In this case blue shows corundum and red shows nickel oxide.

Specialists: Adam Sikorski, Dr Kyle Ratinac.

XRD Shimadzu S6000
This X-ray diffraction unit (Theta/2Theta) has Cu target and max. power 2000W.

• It has multi specimen holder which holds maximum 5 powder sample holders.
• Also has heating stage for in-situ temperature scans up to 1000°C with possibility temp environment control during scan.
• The scan range is: 1-150deg.

Specialists: Adam Sikorski.