Transmission diffraction-tomography system using a high-energy X-ray tube.

A high-energy bench-top energy dispersive X-ray diffraction (EDXRD) system for 3-dimensional mapping of the crystalline structure and phase transformations in steel is described, for which preliminary data and system development are presented here. The use of precision tungsten slit screens with up to 225 keV X-rays allows for diffraction through samples of 304 L austenitic stainless steel of thickness 3-10 mm, while sample positioning is carried out with a precision goniometer and translation stage system.

Metal deposition at the bone-cartilage interface in articular cartilage.

There is a growing interest being shown in the changes occurring in elemental distribution at the bone-cartilage interface, the changes either being a result of mechanical damage or disease. In particular, such investigations have tended to concern the elemental alterations associated with the osteoarthritic wear and tear damage occurring to the cartilage and subchondral bone of synovial joints or that associated with disease processes such as rheumatic arthritis. Present studies examine sections of femoral head obtained from total hip replacement surgery, use being made of micro-proton-induced X-ray emission (micro-PIXE) and the Rutherford back scattering (RBS) techniques.

Benchtop phase-contrast X-ray imaging.

Clinical radiography has traditionally been based on contrast obtained from absorption when X-rays pass through the body. The contrast obtained from traditional radiography can be rather poor, particularly when it comes to soft tissue. A wide range of media of interest in materials science, biology and medicine exhibit very weak absorption contrast, but they nevertheless produce significant phase shifts with X-rays.

Observations of coarsening of air voids in a polymer-highly-soluble crystalline matrix during dissolution.

A combination of magnetic resonance imaging and x-ray microcomputed tomography has been used to visualize the development of the internal micro-structure within compressed tablets made from a combination of insoluble particles (Eudragit, a polymer) and soluble particles (diltiazem hydrochloride, a drug), during dissolution in water. Air voids in the tablet are seen to coarsen. The size distribution of the air voids is well fitted by a log-normal distribution with a mean size that grows linearly with time.

An X-ray micro-tomography system optimised for the low-dose study of living organisms.

An X-ray micro-tomography system has been designed that is dedicated to the low-dose imaging of radiation sensitive living organisms and has been used to image the early development of the first few days of plant development immediately after germination. The system is based on third-generation X-ray micro-tomography system and consists of an X-ray tube, two-dimensional X-ray detector and a mechanical sample manipulation stage. The X-ray source is a 50kVp X-ray tube with a silver target with a filter to centre the X-ray spectrum on 22keV.