Imaging of Biological and Medico Materials - Synchrotron Tomography

Synchrotron Tomography - Non-Destructive Imaging of Low-Density Materials

Low density materials, including biological samples and materials composed primarily of organic compounds, can be hard to image in 3D because they have a low X-ray absorption. X-ray absorption increases with an element’s atomic number, and therefore materials made of carbon (atomic number 6) absorb only a small amount of the irradiation, thus giving very poor contrast in imaging.

With the addition of phase contrast tomography, this is all about to change. Using phase contrast, even biological samples can be studied with high resolution and contrast - without staining or similar invasive sample preparation.

Low density materials can be hard to image because they have a low X-ray contrast. With phase contrast, we see a game-changer for our customers in the food- and medico industries

- Susan Cooper, synchrotron mediator, DTI

Case Study - Pellets & Phase Contrast

In this case study, pellets were visualized by both laboratory micro-CT and phase contrast tomography (HiP-CT, synchrotron source). With the addition of phase contrast, it's possible to distinguish between different types of organic material, and the increased signal-to-noise ratio also greatly increases the impact in visualization and possibilities to quantify data.

Case Study - Soft Tissue in Small Fish

In this case study, we used phase contrast tomography at the ESRF to image fish with unprecedented detail in the internal organs. The purpose of the investigation was to study the digestion of various experimental diets. With the three-dimensional tomography data, it's possible to study the digestion of experimental feed as it passes through the fish.

Case Study - Porosity of Foam

At the Danish Technological Institute, we utilize advanced techniques such as micro-CT scanning, SEM, and Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry to deeply understand and quantify porosity in various materials, including medico materials, food, and energy materials. Our commitment to cutting-edge material analysis enhances the development and testing of products, ensuring optimized performance and reliability.

HiP-CT (Hierarchical Phase-Contrast Tomography)

One of the common ways to image biological materials has been to use a contrast agent, where a light material is treated with heavy elements that absorb into the material to increase the contrast.  Another way to image materials made of light elements is by measuring samples using phase contrast, where changes in material density determine the image contrast instead of elemental identity. In addition, synchrotron sources can be used instead of lab X-ray sources so we get more signal.

This type of analysis can be used on anything made of light elements, including:

• Biological samples
• Food
• Composites
• Pharmaceuticals

Danish Technological Institute's Role as a Mediator

At DTI, we can help you obtain access to exciting techniques like HiP-CT. We can help you with the whole process from experimental design, to data collection, and data analysis. Have you ever thought about using big science to push your research forward? What do you want to see in detail?

Get in Touch With Us!

• Susan Cooper, Team Manager (srco@dti.dk / +45 7220 1754)