Effects of Tube Voltage on Phase-Contrast Imaging for Different Microfocus X-Ray Tubes

In the past decade, phase-contrast imaging (PCI) has become a hot research with an increased improvement of the image contrast with respect to conventional absorption radiography. In this paper, effects of tube voltage (kVp) on propagation-based phase-contrast imaging have been investigated with two types of microfocus x-ray tubes, a conventional sealed x-ray tube with the focal spot size of 13 - 20 μm and an open x-ray tube with minimum focal spot size less than 2 μm. A cooled x-ray CCD detector with the pixel size of 24 μm was used to acquire digital images. Two thin plastic sheets with different thickness were used as radiography phantoms. Two different phenomena were observed for the two x-ray tubes. For the open tube, phase-contrast effect has a slight drop with the increasing of tube voltage, however, it is opposite for the sealed tube. A further investigation indicates that the variation of focal spot size causes the abnormal result for the sealed tube. It also shows that phase-contrast effect is more sensitive to focal spot size than tube voltage.

The new X-ray imaging and biomedical application beamline BL13HB at SSRF

A new X-ray imaging and biomedical application beamline(BL13HB)has been implemented at the Shanghai Radiation Synchrotron Facility(SSRF)as an upgrade to the old X-ray imaging and biomedical application beamline(BL13W1).This is part of the Phase II construction project of the SSRF.The BL13HB is dedicated to 2D and 3D static and dynamic X-ray imaging,with a field of view of up to 48.5 mm×5.2 mm and spatial resolution as high as 0.8μm.A super-bending magnet is used as the X-ray source in BL13HB,which has a maximum magnetic field of 2.293 T.The energy range of monochromatic X-ray photons from a double-multiplayer monochromator was 8–40 keV,and the white beam mode was provided on the beamline for dynamic X-ray imaging and dynamic X-ray micro-CT.While maintaining the previous experimental setup of BL13W1,new equipment was added to the beamline experimental station.The beamline is equipped with different sets of X-ray imaging detectors for several experimental methods such as micro-CT,dynamic micro-CT,and pair distribution function.The experimental station of BL13HB is designed specifically for various in situ dynamic experiments,and BL13HB has been open to users since June 2021.

Low-fat microwaved peanut snacks production:Effect of defatting treatment on structural characteristics,texture,color,and nutrition

This study develops low-fat microwaved peanut snacks(LMPS)using partially defatted peanuts(PDP)with different defatting ratios,catering to people’s pursuit of healthy,low-fat cuisine.The effects of defatting treatment on the structural characteristics,texture,color,and nutrient composition of LMPS were comprehensively explored.The structural characteristics of LMPS were characterized using X-ray micro-computed tomography(Micro-CT)and scanning electron microscope(SEM).The results demonstrated that the porosity,pore number,pore volume,brightness,brittleness,protein content,and total sugar content of LMPS all significantly increased(P<0.05)with the increase in the defatting ratio.At the micro level,porous structure,cell wall rupture,and loss of intracellular material could be observed in LMPS after defatting treatments.LMPS made from PDP with a defatting ratio of 64.44%had the highest internal pore structural parameters(porosity 59%,pore number 85.3×10^(5),pore volume 68.23 mm3),the brightest color(L^(*) 78.39±0.39),the best brittleness(3.64±0.21)mm^(–1)),and the best nutrition(high protein content,(34.02±0.38)%;high total sugar content,(17.45±0.59)%;low-fat content,(27.58±0.85)%).The study provides a theoretical basis for the quality improvement of LMPS.

Methodology development and application of X-ray imaging beamline at SSRF

This paper introduces some latest developments regarding the X-ray imaging methodology and applications of the X-ray imaging and biomedical application beamline(BL13W1)at Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility in the past 5 years.The photon energy range of the beamline is 8–72.5 keV.Several sets of X-ray imaging detectors with different pixel sizes(0.19–24 lm)are used to realize X-ray microcomputed tomography(X-ray micro-CT)and X-ray in-line phase-contrast imaging.To satisfy the requirements of user experiments,new X-ray imaging methods and image processing techniques are developed.In vivo dynamic micro-CT experiments with living insects are performed in 0.5 s(sampling rate of 2 Hz,2 tomograms/s)with a monochromatic beam from a wiggler source and in 40 ms(sampling rate of 25 Hz,25 tomograms/s)with a white beam from a bending magnet source.A new X-ray imaging method known as move contrast X-ray imaging is proposed,with which blood flow and moving tissues in raw images can be distinguished according to their moving frequencies in the time domain.Furthermore,X-ray speckle-tracking imaging with twice exposures to eliminate the edge enhancement effect is developed.A high-precision quantification method is realized to measure complex three-dimensional blood vessels obtained via X-ray micro-CT.X-ray imaging methods such as three-dimensional X-ray diffraction microscopy,small-angle X-ray scattering CT,and X-ray fluorescence CT are developed,in which the X-ray micro-CT imaging method is combined with other contrast mechanisms such as diffraction,scattering,and fluorescence contrasts respectively.Moreover,an X-ray nano-CT experiment is performed with a 100 nm spatial resolution.Typical user experimental results from the fields of material science,biomedicine,paleontology,physics,chemistry,and environmental science obtained on the beamline are provided.

State of the Art of Micro-CT Applications in Dental Research

This review highlights the recent advances in X-ray microcomputed tomography （Micro-CT） applied in dental research. It summarizes Micro-CT applications in mea- surement of enamel thickness, root canal morphology, evaluation of root canal preparation, craniofacial skeletalstructure, micro finite element modeling, dental tissue engineering, mineral density of dental hard tissues and about dental implants. Details of studies in each of these areas are highlighted along with the advantages of Micro-CT, and finally a summary of the future applications of Micro-CT in dental research is given.

Experimental research on the feature of an x-ray Talbot–Lau interferometer versus tube accelerating voltage

X-ray Talbot-Lau interferometer has been used most widely to perform x-ray phase-contrast imaging with a con- ventional low-brilliance x-ray source, and it yields high-sensitivity phase and dark-field images of samples producing low absorption contrast, thus beating tremendous potential for future clinical diagnosis. In this work, by changing the accel- erating voltage of the x-ray tube from 35 kV to 45 kV, x-ray phase-contrast imaging of a test sample is performed at each integer value of the accelerating voltage to investigate the characteristic of an x-ray Talbot-Lau interferometer （located in the Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University, Japan） versus tube voltage. Ex- perimental results and data analysis show that within a range this x-ray Talbot-Lau interferometer is not sensitive to the accelerating voltage of the tube with a constant fringe visibility of ~ 44%. This x-ray Talbot-Lau interferometer research demonstrates the feasibility of a new dual energy phase-contrast x-ray imaging strategy and the possibility to collect a refraction spectrum.

Effects of dry-wet cycles on three-dimensional pore structure and permeability characteristics of granite residual soil using X-ray micro computed tomography

Due to seasonal climate alterations,the microstructure and permeability of granite residual soil are easily affected by multiple dry-wet cycles.The X-ray micro computed tomography(micro-CT)acted as a nondestructive tool for characterizing the microstructure of soil samples exposed to a range of damage levels induced by dry-wet cycles.Subsequently,the variations of pore distribution and permeability due to drywet cycling effects were revealed based on three-dimensional(3D)pore distribution analysis and seepage simulations.According to the results,granite residual soils could be separated into four different components,namely,pores,clay,quartz,and hematite,from micro-CT images.The reconstructed 3D pore models dynamically demonstrated the expanding and connecting patterns of pore structures during drywet cycles.The values of porosity and connectivity are positively correlated with the number of dry-wet cycles,which were expressed by exponential and linear functions,respectively.The pore volume probability distribution curves of granite residual soil coincide with the χ^(2)distribution curve,which verifies the effectiveness of the assumption of χ^(2)distribution probability.The pore volume distribution curves suggest that the pores in soils were divided into four types based on their volumes,i.e.micropores,mesopores,macropores,and cracks.From a quantitative and visual perspective,considerable small pores are gradually transformed into cracks with a large volume and a high connectivity.Under the action of dry-wet cycles,the number of seepage flow streamlines which contribute to water permeation in seepage simulation increases distinctly,as well as the permeability and hydraulic conductivity.The calculated hydraulic conductivity is comparable with measured ones with an acceptable error margin in general,verifying the accuracy of seepage simulations based on micro-CT results.

Hard X-ray in-line outline imaging for blood vessels:first generation synchrotron radiation without contrast agents in vitro

Objective: Phase-contrast X-ray imaging which reduces radiation exposure, is a promising technique for observing the inner structures of biological soft tissues without the aid of contrast agents. The present study intends to depict blood vessels of rabbits and human livers with hard X-ray in-line outline imaging without contrast agents using synchrotron radiation. Methods: All samples were fixed with formalin and sliced into 6 mm sections. The imaging experiments were performed with Fuji-IX80 films on the 4W1A light beam of the first generation synchrotron radiation in Beijing, China. The device of the experiment, which supplies a maximum light spot size of 20×10 mm was similar to that of in-line holography. The photon energy was set at 8 KeV and high quality imagines were obtained by altering the distance between the sample and the film. Results: The trees of rabbit-liver blood vessels and the curved vessels of the cirrhotic human liver were revealed on the images, where vessels < 20 μm in diameter were differentiated. Conclusion: These results show that the blood vessels of liver samples can be revealed by using hard X-ray in-line outline imaging with the first generation synchrotron radiation without contrast agents.

Synchrotron X-ray micro-computed tomography imaging of solid bridges between potash particles near contact points

Chemical fertilizers,such as potash,have a strong tendency to cake when exposed to humidity.In this work,a novel synchrotron-based X-ray tomography 3D-imaging technique was for the first time employed to investigate the solid bridge formation from 2D and 3D perspectives.Image processing and a theoretical model were presented to demonstrate recrystallization near contact points between potash particles during a conventional drying process.The effect of initial moisture content on the water activity of surface surrounding the contact points was investigated.The results showed that by increasing the moisture content of particles(3%–5%),the dissolution of sylvite increased and the solid bridge length between potash particles was enlarged from 28μm to 44μm due to supersaturation conditions.In addition,the external porosity of potash particles at the end of drying process decreased from 25.3%to 19.5%for 3%and 5%moisture content,respectively.

An experimental investigation of failure mechanical behavior in cylindrical granite specimens containing two non-coplanar open fissures under different confining pressures

Fissures play a significant role in predicting the unstable failure of rock mass engineering.For deep rock underground engineering,rock mass containing pre-existing fissures is usually located in triaxial stress state.Therefore,not only pre-existing fissure but also confining pressure affects the failure mechanical behavior of rock material.In this research,the granite specimens containing two non-coplanar open fissures were investigated by a series of conventional triaxial compression tests.First,the effect of bridge angle and confining pressure on strength and deformation characteristics of granite specimens was evaluated.Results show that the triaxial compressive strength,failure axial strain,and crack damage threshold increased nonlinearly with confining pressure.Under high confining pressures,elastic modulus was insensitive to bridge angle.Then,an X-ray micro-CT scanning technique was used to analyze the internal fracture characteristics of granite specimens with respect to various bridge angles and confining pressures.Five typical crack coalescence modes were identified,namely,indirect coalescence,shear coalescence and three types of tensile coalescence.The reconstructed 3-D CT images indicated that under uniaxial or low confining pressures,the bridge angle had a significant effect on crack evolution behavior,while under high confining pressures,shear-dominated failures occurred with the development of anti-wing cracks.

Phase imaging of irradiated foils at the OMEGA EP facility using phase-stepping X-ray Talbot–Lau deflectometry

Diagnosing the evolution of laser-generated high energy density(HED)systems is fundamental to develop a correct understanding of the behavior of matter under extreme conditions.Talbot–Lau interferometry constitutes a promising tool,since it permits simultaneous single-shot X-ray radiography and phase-contrast imaging of dense plasmas.We present the results of an experiment at OMEGA EP that aims to probe the ablation front of a laser-irradiated foil using a Talbot–Lau X-ray interferometer.A polystyrene(CH)foil was irradiated by a laser of 133 J,1 ns and probed with 8 keV laser-produced backlighter radiation from Cu foils driven by a short-pulse laser(153 J,11 ps).The ablation front interferograms were processed in combination with a set of reference images obtained ex situ using phase-stepping.We managed to obtain attenuation and phase-shift images of a laser-irradiated foil for electron densities above 1022 cm−3.These results showcase the capabilities of Talbot–Lau X-ray diagnostic methods to diagnose HED laser-generated plasmas through high-resolution imaging.

Phase-contrast Imaging Simulation Based on a Micro-CT System

Propagation-based phase-contrast imaging was simulated based on paraxial Fresnel-Kirchoff diffraction integral and spherical wave illumination. Under a developed micro-CT system parameters, the effects of focal-spot size and imaging geometry on phase-contrast imaging have been investigated using a 2-mm-thickness polystyrene edge phantom. An equivalent mono-energy was used to substitute the polychromatic spectrum of the micro-focus X-ray source. To consider effects of focal-spot size and detector resolution, the obtained phase-contrast image with an ideal point source was convolved with source intensity distribution and point spread function of detector. Simulations show reasonable influences of the two parameters which are in good agreement with experimental results.

Enhanced quantitative X-ray phase-contrast images using Foucault differential filters

Several X-ray phase visualization methods are being real- ized for imaging of phase objects, such as biological and polymeric specimens. Grating-based phase-contrast imaging using a source-grating-attached X-ray tube that provides partially coherent X rays is one of the most successful methods in this field.

Exploring potential of different X-ray imaging methods for early-stage lung cancer detection

Purpose To explore the potential of X-ray imaging for early-stage lung cancer screening and to help finding an optimal lung cancer screening method.Methods Experimentally and simulatively comparing performances of different X-ray techniques(absorption-contrast imaging and phase-contrast imaging)for model lung cancer samples.Results Absorption imaging shows performance equal to or better than that of low-radiation dose.Conclusion Absorption imaging is still the most promising imaging method for early lung cancer detection.

X-ray diffraction enhanced imaging study of intraocular tumors in human beings

Diffraction enhanced imaging （DEI） with edge enhancement is suitable for the observation of weakly absorbing objects. The potential ability of the DEI was explored for displaying the microanatomy and pathology of human eyeball in this work. The images of surgical specimens from malignant intraocular tumor of hospitalized patients were taken using the hard X-rays from the topography station of Beamline 4W1A at Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility （BSRF）. The obtained radiographic images were analyzed in correlation with those of pathology. The results show that the anatomic and pathologic details of intraocular tumors in human beings can be observed clearly by DEI for the first time, with good visualization of the microscopic details of eyeball ring such as sclera, choroids and other details of intraocular organelles. And the best resolution of DEI images reaches up to the magnitude of several tens of μm. The results suggest that it is capable of exhibiting clearly the details of intraocular tumor using DEI method.

Prediction of the Elastic Properties of a Plain Woven Carbon Fiber Reinforced Composite with Internal Geometric Variability

A statistical analysis of the yarn parameters of a plain woven carbon fiber reinforced polymer composite was conducted using X-ray micro-computed tomography data.An algorithm based on the correlated Gaussian random sequence was proposed to construct statistically equivalent yarns,which were introduced into a numerical multiscale model.A representative volume element was created to evaluate the macroscopic elastic properties of the composite.The predicted elastic constants showed a good agreement with experimental data obtained from tensile,compressive,and shear tests.This showed the importance of considering internal geometric variability for obtaining accurate simulation results.Finally,the performance of an electric vehicle back door made of the composite material was calculated by finite element analysis.The weight of the back door system was reduced by 47.45%,and performance results showed an excellent prospect of using lightweight composites.

Three-dimensional failure behavior and cracking mechanism of rectangular solid sandstone containing a single fissure under triaxial compression

In actual rock engineering,fissures play an important role in determining the mechanical parameters of rock mass,whereas it is very difficult to construct fissures in cylindrical specimens.Therefore,the pre-fissured rectangular rock specimens were constructed innovatively.Moreover,a series of triaxial compression experimental results on the failure mechanical behavior of rectangular solid sandstone specimens containing a single fissure were reported.The lateral strain in different directions was monitored and the experimental results show that elastic modulus and axial strain increase non-linearly with confining pressure,and the average Poisson’s ratio parallel to fissure(μ2)is larger than that vertical to fissure(μ3).The cohesion,Hoek-Brown parameters of peak strength show similar trends with that of crack damage threshold to the fissure angle(α),and the parameters of the peak strength are larger than those of crack damage threshold.However,the internal friction angles of the peak strength and crack damage threshold are almost equal.Based on the geometries and properties of cracks,ten typical crack types are identified.Cracks vertical to pre-existing fissures occur in specimens under uniaxial compression,whereas cracks parallel to pre-existing fissures occur under triaxial compression.Finally,X-ray micro-computed tomography(CT)observations are conducted to analyze the internal damage mechanism of sandstone specimens with respect to various fissure angles.Reconstructed 3-D CT images indicate obvious effects of confining pressure and fissure angle on the crack system of sandstone specimens.This research elucidates the fundamental nature of rock failure under triaxial compression.