Sub-micron X-ray Computed Tomography Facility at Durham University - non-equipment part
Lead Research Organisation:
Durham University
Department Name: Engineering and Computing Sciences
Abstract
Researchers from many areas of science and engineering need to investigate the internal structure of solid materials and artefacts; they might want to determine the proportions of different materials, the locations of voids, the presence of water, see structural fabrics or many other possibilities. Accurate non-destructive investigation of this nature has proved almost impossible until recently. However, with the advent of new X-ray scanning machines, both available at a reasonable cost and relatively easy to use, a new world of investigation is opening up. These machines are very similar to computed tomography (CT) scanners one finds in hospitals. However these machines are constructed to be particularly suitable for scanning of materials such as soils, concrete, rock and some metals.
This proposal seeks funding to set up a new XRCT scanning facility for researchers in civil engineering, bioengineering, manufacturing, geology, archaeology and biological sciences. based at Durham University. The new facility will primarily serve groups working at Durham, Newcastle and Sheffield Universities. However it will be possible for other academics and industry to use the facility as well.
This proposal seeks funding to set up a new XRCT scanning facility for researchers in civil engineering, bioengineering, manufacturing, geology, archaeology and biological sciences. based at Durham University. The new facility will primarily serve groups working at Durham, Newcastle and Sheffield Universities. However it will be possible for other academics and industry to use the facility as well.
Planned Impact
This proposal is for a piece of equipment that will be used by scientists and engineers from a wide range of disciplines. It will therefore have a part to play in the impact of research activities in a similarly wide range of areas. Some examples of impact are as follows:
-Being able to see and measure the 3D microstructures of manufactured materials will help to avoid unexpected material failures which could have economic and societal impact;
-Understanding the way that voids are distributed in a soil sample allows us to determine how strength may change with climate when that soil is part of a natural or man-made slope this could help us to predict landslides induced by rainfall;
-Scanning of rocks can aid understanding of how volcanic activity can develop.
The presence of the equipment will have impact in at least these areas: civil engineering, geology, biomechanics, archaeology and manufacturing.
-Being able to see and measure the 3D microstructures of manufactured materials will help to avoid unexpected material failures which could have economic and societal impact;
-Understanding the way that voids are distributed in a soil sample allows us to determine how strength may change with climate when that soil is part of a natural or man-made slope this could help us to predict landslides induced by rainfall;
-Scanning of rocks can aid understanding of how volcanic activity can develop.
The presence of the equipment will have impact in at least these areas: civil engineering, geology, biomechanics, archaeology and manufacturing.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Charles Augarde (Principal Investigator) | |
| Thomas Beale (Researcher) |
Publications
Augarde C
(2016)
Challenges in treating earthen construction materials as unsaturated soils
in E3S Web of Conferences
Brodie Mark William
(2016)
Diagenesis & reservoir quality of the middle Bakken Formation
Colombier M
(2018)
Vesiculation and Quenching During Surtseyan Eruptions at Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai Volcano, Tonga
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth
Dobranski A
(2016)
Realising the CO2 sequestration potential of steel and iron making slags
Gehne S
(2019)
Seismo-Mechanical Response of Anisotropic Rocks Under Hydraulic Fracture Conditions: New Experimental Insights
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth
Jerram D.A,,
(2018)
Volcanic and Igneous plumbing systems
Kareem R
(2017)
Multi-technique approach to the petrophysical characterization of Berea sandstone core plugs (Cleveland Quarries, USA)
in Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering
Muguda Viswanath S
(2018)
Preliminary study on use of biopolymers in earthen construction
Readle D
(2016)
Fibre reinforcement in earthen construction materials
in Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Construction Materials
Smith J
(2014)
Geomechanics from Micro to Macro
Smith J
(2016)
Sample size choices for XRCT scanning of highly unsaturated soil mixtures
in E3S Web of Conferences
Smith J
(2014)
Unsaturated Soils: Research & Applications
Smith Jonathan Chase
(2015)
Examining soil based construction materials through X-ray computed tomography
| Description | This grant supports an equipment grant from EPSRC which bought an X-ray computed tomography machine in 2013. |
| Exploitation Route | The grant supports the xrct facility at Durham and there are many users from across science and engineering |
| Sectors | Construction,Energy,Environment,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Description | The equipment is used for a wide variety of investigations of solids in science and engineering, mainly in earth sciences and geotechnical engineering. The machien is currenty being used in GCRF funded projects. The machine is now nearing the end of its life. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2014 |
| Sector | Construction,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Impact Types | Societal |
| Description | Fines migration in sandstones |
| Amount | £60,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | NERC Oil & Gas CDT PhD studentship for Catriona Sellick PI is Prof. H.C. Greenwell |
| Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 10/2016 |
| End | 09/2019 |
| Description | In situ observation of foaming, coalescence and collapse in magmatic foams using ultrafast x-ray tomography |
| Amount | £95,940 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | ee12402-2 |
| Organisation | Diamond Light Source |
| Sector | Private |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 02/2017 |
| End | 02/2017 |
| Description | Mobilising magma in the largest eruptions: In situ observation of micro-structural controls on multi-phase fluid rheology |
| Amount | £95,940 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EE15898 |
| Organisation | Diamond Light Source |
| Sector | Private |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2017 |
| End | 09/2017 |
| Description | Nanogeochemistry of Enhanced Oil Recovery - Phase II |
| Amount | £60,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | PI is Prof. H.C. Greenwell |
| Organisation | BP (British Petroleum) |
| Sector | Private |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2016 |
| End | 12/2019 |
| Description | Programme Grant |
| Amount | £5,976,490 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/R034575/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2018 |
| End | 11/2022 |
| Description | The GeoX Suite: Environmental cells for NERC research using in situ imaging |
| Amount | £271,363 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | NE/T00908X/1 |
| Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2019 |
| End | 03/2020 |
| Description | I'm A Scientist (Get me out of here) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Participation in live text based Q&A sessions for primary and secondary schools children of all ages to talk about science, my research and careers in STEM. Each 40-minute session is attended by 30-40 students plus their teachers and/or parents (up to 10 sessions per week). Schools report increased engagement and enthusiasm for STEM subjects by all attending cohorts. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2019,2020,2021 |
| URL | https://imascientist.org.uk/ |