Multiscale x-ray imaging facility for monitoring and modelling structural evolution in situ

While laboratory based 3D x-ray imagers are becoming as much a part of the toolkit available in materials science labs as traditional electron microscopy, most systems are equiped only to examine small 'dead' artefacts. Synchrotron based X-ray imaging on the other hand offers much more flexible use of experimental space and instrumental configuration as well as offering higher resolution, but access is limited for most users to a few days per year; precluding many important experiments; particularly those with complex sample environments which take many days to set up, or for which the change in state takes place over days.This project is aimed at establishing an X-ray tomographic imaging facility that will open up a wide range of land mark experiments far beyond the interests of the proposers. We will put in place a framework by which users from within the physical sciences and beyond can access the facility no matter where they are located in the UK. Emphasis will be on experiments that cannot easily be done on bench-top systems, nor are best suited to synchrotron research facilities, or simply require experimentation prior to a visit to a synchrotron. It is not possible to second guess all the applications that will arise, especially those proposed from outside the Univesity of Manchester, but examples where there is a proven need and interest from within the University of Manchester include: + fibrous architectures (biomaterials & paper/textiles): to test models for the performance of non-wovens and to optimise scaffolds for cell growth + crack propagation - using phase contrast to reveal crack initiation and high resolution region of interest studies to monitor crack growth rates and crack morlphologies + in-situ powder processing: to extract information in 3D about powder movement and consolidation + metallurgy: to use phase contrast to measure phase microstructures in 3D + corrosion and protection: to exploit high resolution imaging to monitor the evolution of intergranular stress corrosion in 3D + soft solids processing: using phase contrast to delineate how small changes in processing can lead to big changes in morphology + polymer composites: exploiting phase contrast to highlight damage; and monitoring damage evolution + biomaterials: extracting structures that can be modelled and tested virtually to learn natures lessons + porous media: to characterise initial structures and to measure their reponse to fluids, deformation etc + geological materials: to provide input data for seismic modelling and performance prediction + paleontology: exploiting phase contrast to reveal fossil structures + dental materials: to optimise formulation/microstructure /property relationsAs a strategic investment from the University, the Facility will be on open access to users from across the Engineering and Physical Sciences Faculty at the University of Manchester as well as those outside, for which access arrangements and support will be in place.The beamline-based facility will have much in common with those being developed by the proposers at synchrotron facilties. This will mean that experiments can be switched between the two according to need. It also means that some software developed will be transferable from one to the other.