Subset-based local vs.finite element-based global digital image correlation:A comparison study

Being the two primary approaches for full-field kinematics measurements, both subset-based local digital image correlation （DIC） and finite element-based global DIC have been extensively studied. Nowadays, most commercial DIC systems employ local DIC algorithm because of its advantages of straight forward principle and higher efficiency. However, several researchers argue that global DIC can provide better displacement results due to the displacement continuity constraint among adjacent elements. As such, thoroughly examining the performance of these two different DIC methods seems to be highly necessary. Here, the random errors associated with local DIC and two global DIC methods are theoretically analyzed at first. Subsequently, based on the same algorithmic details and parameters during analyses of numerical and real experiments, the performance of the different DIC approaches is fairly compared. Theoretical and experimental results reveal that local DIC outperforms its global counterpart in terms of both displacement results and computational efficiency when element （subset） size is no less than 11 pixels.

Calibrating the linearity between grayscale and element content for X-ray KES imaging of alloys

Doped elements in alloys significantly impact their performance.Conventional methods usually sputter the surface material of the sample,or their performance is limited to the surface of alloys owing to their poor penetration ability.The X-ray K-edge subtraction(KES)method exhibits great potential for the nondestructive in situ detection of element contents in alloys.However,the signal of doped elements usually deteriorates because of the strong absorption of the principal component and scattering of crystal grains.This in turn prevents the extensive application of X-ray KES imaging to alloys.In this study,methods were developed to calibrate the linearity between the grayscale of the KES image and element content.The methods were aimed at the sensitive analysis of elements in alloys.Furthermore,experiments with phantoms and alloys demonstrated that,after elaborate calibration,X-ray KES imaging is capable of nondestructive and sensitive analysis of doped elements in alloys.

Multi-objective Optimal Design of High Frequency Probe for Scanning Ion Conductance Microscopy

Scanning ion conductance microscopy（SICM） is an emerging non-destructive surface topography characterization apparatus with nanoscale resolution. However, the low regulating frequency of probe in most existing modulated current based SICM systems increases the system noise, and has difficulty in imaging sample surface with steep height changes. In order to enable SICM to have the capability of imaging surfaces with steep height changes, a novel probe that can be used in the modulated current based bopping mode is designed. The design relies on two piezoelectric ceramics with different travels to separate position adjustment and probe frequency regulation in the Z direction. To fiarther improve the resonant frequency of the probe, the material and the key dimensions for each component of the probe are optimized based on the multi-objective optimization method and the finite element analysis. The optimal design has a resonant frequency of above 10 kHz. To validate the rationality of the designed probe, microstructured grating samples are imaged using the homebuilt modulated current based SICM system. The experimental results indicate that the designed high frequency probe can effectively reduce the spike noise by 26% in the average number of spike noise. The proposed design provides a feasible solution for improving the imaging quality of the existing SICM systems which normally use ordinary probes with relatively low regulating frequency.

Elemental x-ray imaging using Zernike phase contras

We develop an element-specific x-ray microscopy method by using Zernike phase contrast imaging near absorption edges, where a real part of refractive index changes abruptly. In this method two phase contrast images are subtracted to obtain the target element: one is at the absorption edge of the target element and the other is near the absorption edge. The x-ray exposure required by this method is expected to be significantly lower than that of conventional absorption-based x-ray elemental imaging methods. Numerical calculations confirm the advantages of this highly efficient imaging method.

Damage evolution of PμLSE additive-manufactured micro-lattice metastructures: Synchrotron radiation 3D tomography image-based analysis

The manufacturing of additives with projection micro litho stereo exposure(PμLSE)has provided an opportunity for the fabrication of metastructures with complex microstructures at micro-nano resolutions.However,the performance evaluation of as-fabricated metastructures is challenging.The benefit of synchrotron radiation-based 3 D imaging techniques and advanced image processing methods makes it is feasible to study fabrication defects and damage processes of micro-nanoscale bodycentered cubic(BCC)lattices manufactured with PμLSE.First,synchrotron radiation technology is used to capture the structural features inside the micro-lattice samples.Subsequently,several types of statistical defects-based image finite element models are adopted to analyze the failure process of the structure under compression loading.Finally,comparisons between in situ experiments and numerical simulation results are performed for verification.The method of the combined non-destructive testing of synchrotron radiation and image finite element technology provides a robust technique for evaluating the performances of additive-manufactured micro-lattice with complex microstructures.

3D image reconstruction with a controllable overlapping number of elemental images in computational integral imaging

In this Letter, we propose a three-dimensional （3D） image reconstruction method with a controllable overlapping number of elemental images in computational integral imaging. The proposed method can control the overlap- ping number of pixels coming from the elemental images by using the subpixel distance based on ray optics between a 3D object and an image sensor. The use of a controllable overlapping number enables us to provide an improved 3D image visualization by controlling the inter-pixel interference within the reconstructed pixels. To find the optimal overlapping number, we simulate the pickup and reconstruction processes and utilize the numerical reconstruction results using a peak signal-to-noise ratio （PSNR） metric. To demonstrate the feasibility of our work in optical experiments, we carry out the preliminary experiments and present the results.

Transformation Method of Exterior Orientation Angular Elements Obtained via Position and Orientation System Under Gauss-Kruger Projection Coordinate System

Data obtained via airborne position and orientation system （POS） is in WGS 84 global geocentric reference frame, while the national coordinate reference system for topographic mapping in China is generally Gauss-Kruger projection coordinate system. Therefore, data obtained via a POS must be transformed to national coordinate system. Owing to the effects of earth curvature and me- ridian deviation, there are some errors in the process of angle transformation from roll, pitch, and heading （φ,θ,ψ） obtained directly via a POS to the attitude angles of images （φ,ω,κ） needed in photogrammetry. On the basis of effect theories of earth curvature and meridian deviation on exterior orientation angular elements of images, a method using a compensation matrix to correct the transformation errors from attitude angles obtained via the POS to exterior orientation angular elements of images is proposed in this paper. Moreover, the rigorous formula of the compensation matrix is deduced. Two sets of actual data obtained via a POS AV 510, which are different in scale and terrain, are selected and used to perform experiments. The empirical results not only indicate that the compensation matrix proposed in this paper is correct and practical but also show that transformation accuracy of exterior orientation angular elements obtained via the POS based on compensation matrix is relevant to the selection of vertical axis （a projection of central meridian） of Gauss-Kruger projection coordinate system; the proper vertical axis should be the Gauss-Kruger projection of the central meridian of projection zone in which the survey area locates. However, the transformation accuracy of exterior orientation angular elements is irrelevant to the choice of origin of coordinate system; it is appropriate that the origin of coordinate system locates at the center point of the survey area. Moreover, transformation accuracy of exterior orientation angular elements achieved based on the compensa- tion matrix deduced in this paper is higher than that obtained via the existing POS processing software.

Distortion correction for the elemental images of integral imaging by introducing the directional diffuser

A distortion correction method for the elemental images of integral imaging（Ⅱ） by utilizing the directional diffuser is demonstrated. In the traditional Ⅱ, the distortion originating from lens aberration wraps elemental images and degrades the image quality severely. According to the theoretical analysis and experiments, it can be proved that the farther the three-dimensional image is displayed from the lens array, the more serious the distortion is. To analyze the process of eliminating lens distortion, one lens and its corresponding elemental image are separated from the traditional Ⅱ. By introducing the directional diffuser, the aperture stop of the separated optical system changes from the eye＇s pupil to the lens. In terms of contrast experiments, the distortion of the improved display system is corrected effectively. In the experiment, when the distance between the reconstructed image and lens array is equal to 120 mm, the largest lens distortion is decreased from 46.6% to 3.3%.

NanoSIMS analytical technique and its applications in earth sciences

Despite the significant improvement on spatial resolution, NanoSIMS still preserves relatively high mass resolution, sensitivity, and analytical precision. It has become an important analytical platform to determine chemical compositions of solid materials, and has been widely used in space, earth, life, and materials sciences, etc. By using a Cs＋ ion beam with a size as small as 50 nm scanning over sample surfaces, we are able to obtain high spatial resolution images of up to 7 species simultaneously. When utilizing Faraday cup, high analytical precision of 0.3‰-0.5‰ （1SD） for C, O and S isotopic analysis can be achieved. Although this precision level is still lower than that of conventional SIMS, it already meets the major requirements of Earth Sciences. In 2011, the first NanoSIMS of China （Cameca NanoSIMS 50L） was installed at Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Based on the working mechanism and analytical modes of the instrument, this paper will systematically introduce the analytical methods established with the NanoSIMS and their potential applications in earth sciences. These methods include trace element distribution images in mineral zoning, high spatial resolution （2-5/am） Pb-Pb and U-Pb dating, water content and H isotopic analysis for silicate glass and apatite, C isotopic analysis for diamond and graphite, O isotopic analysis for carbonate, S isotopic analysis for sulfides. In addition, the specific requirements for sample preparation will also be introduced in order to facilitate domestic earth scientists＇ use.

NanoSIMS imaging method of zircon U-Pb dating

We report an imaging method of zircon U-Pb dating with NanoSIMS 50 L, which overcomes the significant U-Pb fractionation as the pit was sputtered deeper during conventional spot mode analysis and can be applied to irregular small grains or heterogeneous areas of zircon. The U-Pb and Pb-Pb ages can be acquired simultaneously for 2 μm×2 μm(for small grains) or 1 μm×9 μm(for zoned grains), together with Zr, Y and other trace elements distributions. Using zircon M257 as standard, the U-Pb ages of other zircon standards, including Qinghu, Plesovice, Temora and 91500, were measured to(2σ) as158.8±0.8, 335.9±3.4, 412.0±12 and 1067±12 Ma, respectively, consistent with the recommended values within the analytical uncertainties. Tiny zircon grains in the impact melt breccia of the lunar meteorite SaU 169 were also measured in this study,with a Pb-Pb age of 3912±14 Ma and a U-Pb age of 3917±17 Ma, similar to previous results reported for the same meteorite.The imaging method was also applied to determine U-Pb age of the thin overgrowth rims of Longtan metamorphic zircon, with a Pb-Pb age of 1933±27 Ma and a U-Pb age of 1935±25 Ma, clearly distinct from the Pb-Pb age of 2098±61 Ma and the U-Pb age of 2054±40 Ma for detrital cores.

Multi-scale magnetic resonance measurements and validation of Discrete Element Model simulations

This short review describes the capabilities of magnetic resonance （MR） to image opaque single- and two-phase granular systems, such as rotating cylinders and gas-fluidized beds operated in different fluidization regimes. The unique capability of MR to not only image the solids＇ distribution （voidage） but also the velocity of the particulate phase is clearly shown. It is demonstrated that MR can provide measurements over different length and time scales. With the MR equipment used for the studies summarized here, temporal and spatial scales range from sub-millisecond to hours and from a few hundred micrometres to a few centimetres, respectively. Besides providing crucial data required for an improved understanding of the underlying physics of granular flows, multi-scale MR measurements were also used to validate numerical simulations of granular systems. It is shown that predictions of time-averaged properties, such as voidage and velocity of the particulate phase, made using the Discrete Element Model agree very well with MR measurements.