High Resolution 4D imaging of degradation and self-repair processes - Resources
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Manchester
Department Name: Materials
Abstract
Please see corresponding Capital grant - EP/J021229/1
It has long been true that our ability to 'see' has progressed hand in hand with our understanding of the world, from our understanding of the very distant (first telescopes to Hubble and the array telescopes) to the very minute (first microscopes to the high performance electron microscopes). X-ray tomography opens up not just 3D imaging but temporal changes too.
While X-ray imaging is advancing towards 10nm resolution at synchrotrons and we can image at 50nm in the lab., for engineering materials resolution is not an end in itself. We need to be able to image at the scales that control damage
nucleation while at the same time having samples large enough to be of engineering relevance. For example, in many cases samples need to be of millimetre, or larger dimensions, for crack behaviour to be representative of practical
behaviours (e.g. R-curve response), but the toughening mechanisms operate at the micron scale. This capital equipment project focuses precisely on this spatial regime, enabling us to follow sub-micron microstructure evolution processes in 3D at timescales of tens of minutes in the lab.
The new 3D x-ray imager will enable us to achieve a step jump in our ability to follow degradation and repair processes
over time (4D), including:
- Self-repairing ceramics and polymer composites
- Crack growth in tough hierarchical biomaterials and bio-inspired structures
- Coating evolution and sub-surface failure
- Charging and discharging of batteries and fuel cells.
These applications are important for lighter weight transport, producing energy more efficiently through higher enginer operating temperatures, and the move towards a more electric (lower CO2) economy.
Besides these specific studies the equipment will be made available to Uk academics 40% time (>240 days over 3 years). This will allow the improved imaging capability relative to what is already available in the Uk to be applied to a vefy wide range of appplications, from civil engineering through to food science, from device materials through to new bio-scafolds.
It has long been true that our ability to 'see' has progressed hand in hand with our understanding of the world, from our understanding of the very distant (first telescopes to Hubble and the array telescopes) to the very minute (first microscopes to the high performance electron microscopes). X-ray tomography opens up not just 3D imaging but temporal changes too.
While X-ray imaging is advancing towards 10nm resolution at synchrotrons and we can image at 50nm in the lab., for engineering materials resolution is not an end in itself. We need to be able to image at the scales that control damage
nucleation while at the same time having samples large enough to be of engineering relevance. For example, in many cases samples need to be of millimetre, or larger dimensions, for crack behaviour to be representative of practical
behaviours (e.g. R-curve response), but the toughening mechanisms operate at the micron scale. This capital equipment project focuses precisely on this spatial regime, enabling us to follow sub-micron microstructure evolution processes in 3D at timescales of tens of minutes in the lab.
The new 3D x-ray imager will enable us to achieve a step jump in our ability to follow degradation and repair processes
over time (4D), including:
- Self-repairing ceramics and polymer composites
- Crack growth in tough hierarchical biomaterials and bio-inspired structures
- Coating evolution and sub-surface failure
- Charging and discharging of batteries and fuel cells.
These applications are important for lighter weight transport, producing energy more efficiently through higher enginer operating temperatures, and the move towards a more electric (lower CO2) economy.
Besides these specific studies the equipment will be made available to Uk academics 40% time (>240 days over 3 years). This will allow the improved imaging capability relative to what is already available in the Uk to be applied to a vefy wide range of appplications, from civil engineering through to food science, from device materials through to new bio-scafolds.
Planned Impact
The project is closely aligned to EPSRC and technology strategy board strategy.
In Composites: it will be supporting the Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Composites (Bristol, Nottingham, Cranfield, Manchester), The National Composites Centre (Bristol, TSB) the Composite Certification and Evaluation Centre
(Manchester) through impact damage mapping in composites, defects in 3D woven composites and finally the study of self healing composites with the Creativity in Composites (Bristol) EPSRC programme grant. The Nuclear Advanced
Manufacturing research Centre (Sheffield/ Manchester) and the Rolls Royce UTC in Nuclear materials, The Research centre for Radwaste and Nuclear decommissioning by looking at degradation of stainless steels, the structure and failure of
concrete, the structure of graphite and the structure of fuel pellets.
With regard to energy: we are supporting activities looking at fuel cells and batteries (with Shearing UCL and Brandon, Imperial) linking up with the Imaging activity at the Research complex at Harwell (P/I02249X/1) to provide both synchrotron and lab x-ray imaging. Further we are linking with Blunt at imperial College to look at Oil extraction and CO2 sequestration in various geological materials as well as shale gas. All have the prospect of delivering significant energy and financial benefits. The project will also support the move towards greener transport: this project will be tightly linked to the Lightweight alloys Programme grant (EP/H020047/1). This will enable us to use their workshops and newsletters to disseminate our work into the aerospace industry in particular.
Tissue Regeneration: The new instrument would significantly boost our biomedical device and material development (working with imperial College and a number of small UK companies). Complementing our new synchrotron beamline (I13I
at Diamond Light Source) the new machine will aid the development of both soft tissue replacements (tendons, artificial skin) and hard tissue (teeth, joints, etc).
In Composites: it will be supporting the Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Composites (Bristol, Nottingham, Cranfield, Manchester), The National Composites Centre (Bristol, TSB) the Composite Certification and Evaluation Centre
(Manchester) through impact damage mapping in composites, defects in 3D woven composites and finally the study of self healing composites with the Creativity in Composites (Bristol) EPSRC programme grant. The Nuclear Advanced
Manufacturing research Centre (Sheffield/ Manchester) and the Rolls Royce UTC in Nuclear materials, The Research centre for Radwaste and Nuclear decommissioning by looking at degradation of stainless steels, the structure and failure of
concrete, the structure of graphite and the structure of fuel pellets.
With regard to energy: we are supporting activities looking at fuel cells and batteries (with Shearing UCL and Brandon, Imperial) linking up with the Imaging activity at the Research complex at Harwell (P/I02249X/1) to provide both synchrotron and lab x-ray imaging. Further we are linking with Blunt at imperial College to look at Oil extraction and CO2 sequestration in various geological materials as well as shale gas. All have the prospect of delivering significant energy and financial benefits. The project will also support the move towards greener transport: this project will be tightly linked to the Lightweight alloys Programme grant (EP/H020047/1). This will enable us to use their workshops and newsletters to disseminate our work into the aerospace industry in particular.
Tissue Regeneration: The new instrument would significantly boost our biomedical device and material development (working with imperial College and a number of small UK companies). Complementing our new synchrotron beamline (I13I
at Diamond Light Source) the new machine will aid the development of both soft tissue replacements (tendons, artificial skin) and hard tissue (teeth, joints, etc).
Publications
Bradley R
(2016)
Estimation of bias and variance of measurements made from tomography scans
in Measurement Science and Technology
Bradley R
(2016)
Correlative multiscale tomography of biological materials
in MRS Bulletin
Deng B
(2016)
Correlative Microscopy Application in Spinal Cord Injury Research
in Microscopy and Microanalysis
Eguchi K
(2021)
X-ray tomographic observation of environmental assisted cracking in heat-treated lean duplex stainless steel
in Corrosion Science
Eguchi K
(2020)
X-Ray tomographic characterisation of pitting corrosion in lean duplex stainless steel
in Corrosion Science
Gudla V
(2020)
Environmentally induced crack (EIC) initiation, propagation, and failure: A 3D in-situ time-lapse study of AA5083 H131
in Corrosion Science
Holroyd N
(2017)
Improved understanding of environment-induced cracking (EIC) of sensitized 5XXX series aluminium alloys
in Materials Science and Engineering: A
Holzner C
(2016)
Diffraction Contrast Tomography in the Laboratory - Applications and Future Directions
in Microscopy Today
Larrosa N
(2018)
Linking microstructure and processing defects to mechanical properties of selectively laser melted AlSi10Mg alloy
in Theoretical and Applied Fracture Mechanics
Li Z
(2019)
The taxonomy of graphite nanoplatelets and the influence of nanocomposite processing
in Carbon
Description | The purpose of this grant was to exploit the potential that X-ray tomography can provide by opening up not just 3-D imaging but temporal changes too.This capital equipment project has enabled us to focuses on a spatial regime, which allowed us to follow sub-micron micro-structure evolution processes in 3-D, at timescales of tens of minutes in the lab. This new 3-D X-ray image has enabled us to achieve a step-jump in our ability to follow degradation and repair processes over time (4-D), including: - Self-repairing ceramics and polymer composites - Crack growth in tough hierarchical bio-materials and bio-inspired structures - Coating evolution and sub-surface failure - Charging and discharging of batteries and fuel cells. These applications are important for lighter weight transport, producing energy more efficiently through higher engine operating temperatures, and the move towards a more electric (lower CO2) economy. We have worked towards guiding the design of new materials and components that can operate safely under increasingly harsh conditions. Predominately to facilitate the extraction of difficult to access oil and gas reservoirs, allow higher operating temperatures in aero-engines and accelerate the move towards fourth generation nuclear power plants; all issues of critical importance to the UK economy. |
Exploitation Route | The equipment has become part of the Henry Moseley X-ray Facility at Manchester and is now available for use by all academics and industry across the UK. This is allowing the improved imaging capability relative to what is already available in the UK to be applied to a very wide range of applications, from civil engineering through to food science, from device materials through to new bio-scaffolds. |
Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Agriculture Food and Drink Construction Electronics Energy Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology Transport |
Description | This grant paid for the resources to run a state-of-the-art imaging facility (also supported by EP/J021229/1) and make it available to the community. In addition to supporting over 150 academic projects, it provided resources for over 50 industry projects. The industries include oil/gas, pharmaceutical, and aerospace. It proved to be one of our most popular machines and so we have invested in an upgrade and have ensured access to it is continued by incorporating it into the National X-Ray Computed Tomography Centre, where it still available for use by both academia and industry. |
First Year Of Impact | 2013 |
Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Energy,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology,Other |
Impact Types | Economic Policy & public services |
Description | National Research Facility for Lab X-ray CT |
Amount | £10,097,652 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/T02593X/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2020 |
End | 10/2025 |
Description | Collaboration with Dr Etienne Bousser |
Organisation | École Polytechnique de Montréal |
Country | Canada |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Use of facilities and knowledge |
Collaborator Contribution | Investigating the microstructural and mechanical characterisation of Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO) of aluminium alloys and Physical Vapour Deposited thin films. Also the characterisation of fracture and residual stress of hard protective coatings. |
Impact | A number of papers are in preparation |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | Collaboration with Dr Vitor Hugo Carmeiro |
Organisation | University of Minho |
Country | Portugal |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Use of facilities and knowledge |
Collaborator Contribution | Performed collaborative research aimed at characterising composite materials using Computed Tomography |
Impact | A number of papers are in preparation |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | Collaboration with Professor Shengchuan Wu |
Organisation | Southwest Jiaotong University |
Country | China |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Use of facilities and knowledge |
Collaborator Contribution | Carried out experiments to assess the fatigue and fracture damage mechanisms of 3D printed or laser welded lightweight materials (high strength Al alloys and Ti alloys) by using both laboratory and synchrotron high-resolution micro computed tomography |
Impact | A number of papers are in preparation |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | Expanding 3D Nondestructive X-ray Microscopy Through Laboratory Diffraction Contrast Tomography (LabDCT) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | An introductory webinar to LabDCT is and how it works. It was aimed at materials scientists, engineers, and researchers working in either the academic or industrial environments interested in understanding the microstructural and crystallographic information of (single/poly)-crystalline samples. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | IOM3 Surface Engineering Workshop |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | A workshop which presented the research capability and industrial landscape of surface engineering in UK and promote collaboration between academia and industry in surface engineering |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://www.royce.ac.uk/events/iom3-surface-engineering-workshop/ |
Description | Novel Applications of Advanced Electron Microscopy Techniques in Materials Failure Analysis |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | The webinar used case studies to show how scanning electron and focused ion beams can be used to analyze the early stages of initiation and propagation of cracks, both to better understand the safe lifetime of existing materials, and to look toward ways of extending the life of engineering materials and components. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://connect.asminternational.org/communities/community-home/digestviewer/viewthread?GroupId=2808... |
Description | UK Research and Innovation Launch Event |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | PDL Participated in UK Research and Innovation (implementing policy) |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | https://blogs.bl.uk/living-knowledge/2018/05/uk-research-and-innovation-launched-at-the-british-libr... |
Description | UKRI Research Infrastructure Roadmap Workshop |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | PDL Participated in UKRI Research Infrastructure Roadmap Workshop (implementing policy) on 14 June |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |