Live X-Ray imaging (LiveX)

X-ray imaging techniques are a powerful tool to study the dynamic of metal solidification phenomena, however current analytical tools suffer of two main drawbacks. Firstly, these techniques are currently available only at synchrotrons, which have restricted access. Secondly, the vast and complex data sets generated during time-resolved experiments present profound technical and practical problems for quantification and the extraction of scientific knowledge.

We propose a project to develop an X-ray multi-modal imaging system (LiveX) in which ML will be embedded in the data acquisition procedure and used to interpret raw data in real-time, as they are collected, drastically reducing the complexity and time required for data analysis. The system will be designed to be integrated in existing laboratory X-ray sources and to accept any ML algorithm. Our primary goal will be to develop LiveX as a flexible tool to investigate metal solidification both in a laboratory environment, to carry on fundamental studies without the need of a synchrotron, and for process development in industry. To this end the set up will be coupled with a high temperature furnace and an ML algorithm trained for the investigation of nucleation and growth phenomena during the solidification of aluminium alloys. The instrument will be a world first, providing a unique capability which will foster the establishment of new collaborations and facilitate industrially led research, for which access to synchrotron time is generally difficult. This will benefit our ongoing research on aluminium recycling; the flexibility of the approach will also allow its use in other fields and this will be sought as part of the program.