MRI: Acquisition of High Power and Resolution X-ray Microscopy System for Advanced Characterization, Non-Destructive Evaluation, and Cross-Disciplinary Research & Innovation

MRI：采购高功率和分辨率 X 射线显微镜系统，用于高级表征、无损评估和跨学科研究

• 批准号: 2216175
• 负责人: Antonios Zavaliangos
• 金额: $ 122.8万
• 依托单位: Drexel University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2022-09-01 至 2025-08-31
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2216175&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: MRI; Acquisition; Power; Resolution; ray

This Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) award supports the acquisition of a state-of-the-art, high-resolution X-ray computed tomography instrument. This will enable a broad spectrum of research relying on accurate three-dimensional digitization and characterization of the internal structure of materials. Research projects utilizing this instrument involve novel additive manufactured materials critical for aerospace, automotive, defense and medical applications; cell structures and tissues used in immune system, tissue repair and bioengineering research; pharmaceutical materials; materials for energy applications including novel batteries and energy storage devices; as well as natural materials and organisms used in climate and earth sciences research. Similar to medical CAT Scans, X-ray computed tomography technology provides unprecedented capabilities for research, training, education, outreach and recruitment in STEM. It will promote regional and national collaborations with other universities and industry, while further enabling extensions to emerging technologies such as Industry 4.0. The instrument will be housed in and managed by the Materials Characterization Core, an established multiuser facility at Drexel University. This facility will be leveraged in recruiting events as well as outreach programs to increase the exposure of underrepresented minority students to cutting-edge research.The proposed system offers: (a) submicron true spatial resolution and nanometer-sized voxels achieved by industry-leading dual stage magnification optics, (b) contrast enhancement enabled by detectors that are optimized to maximize data collection of contrast forming low energy X-ray photons, (c) the ability to evaluate larger specimens at high resolution using an associated extension and the included data-processing software, (d) an X-ray source with voltage and power output suitable for a wide range of materials, and (e) the ability to accommodate an array of in situ testing stages, including mechanical and thermal, without compromising performance. These capabilities that represent the state-of-the-art among all commercial systems available today, will enhance research on non-destructive evaluation, advanced material characterization and digitization of complex geometries. Specifically, there are four research foci that will be enhanced by this acquisition, including: 1) evaluation of the internal geometry at multiple length scales of a range of advanced materials; 2) enhanced property and behavior characterization of novel materials and devices via in situ testing; 3) data-driven computational material modeling assisted by data-processing and machine learning; and 4) digitization of flora and fauna, including delicate, rare and historic (150-year-old collections) specimens.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

该重大研究仪器 (MRI) 奖项支持购买最先进的高分辨率 X 射线计算机断层扫描仪器。这将使依赖于精确的三维数字化和材料内部结构表征的广泛研究成为可能。利用该仪器的研究项目涉及对航空航天、汽车、国防和医疗应用至关重要的新型增材制造材料；用于免疫系统、组织修复和生物工程研究的细胞结构和组织；医药原料；能源应用材料，包括新型电池和储能装置；以及用于气候和地球科学研究的天然材料和生物。与医学 CAT 扫描类似，X 射线计算机断层扫描技术为 STEM 领域的研究、培训、教育、推广和招聘提供了前所未有的功能。它将促进与其他大学和行业的区域和国家合作，同时进一步扩展工业 4.0 等新兴技术。该仪器将安装在材料表征核心中并由其管理，该核心是德雷塞尔大学的一个已建立的多用户设施。该设施将用于招生活动和外展计划，以增加代表性不足的少数族裔学生接触尖端研究的机会。拟议的系统提供：（a）通过业界领先的双通道实现亚微米真实空间分辨率和纳米尺寸体素载物台放大光学器件，(b) 通过经过优化的探测器实现对比度增强，以最大限度地收集形成低能 X 射线光子的对比度数据，(c) 使用相关扩展和随附的附件以高分辨率评估较大样本的能力数据处理软件，(d) 具有适合多种材料的电压和功率输出的 X 射线源，以及 (e) 能够在不影响性能的情况下适应一系列原位测试阶段，包括机械和热测试阶段。这些功能代表了当今所有商业系统中最先进的能力，将加强对无损评估、先进材料表征和复杂几何形状数字化的研究。具体来说，此次收购将增强四个研究重点，包括：1）评估一系列先进材料的多个长度尺度的内部几何形状； 2）通过原位测试增强新型材料和器件的性能和行为表征； 3）数据驱动的计算材料建模，辅以数据处理和机器学习； 4) 动植物群的数字化，包括精致、稀有和具有历史意义（150 年历史的收藏）标本。该奖项反映了 NSF 的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。