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Imagine dissecting a small fragile flower that is only 5mm in diameter and peeling it away in layers to reveal its internal structure for detailed study. Now imagine doing that same detailed dissection with flawless precision, but never touching the flower!  Associate Professor Allan S. Jones from the Australian Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis at the University of Sydney will introduce the emerging technology of X-Ray micro-tomography and present some of the many applications of this exciting technology.

X-ray micro-tomography has emerged in recent years as one of the fastest growing and most useful microscope technologies that are available to researchers. The advent of microfocus X-ray sources, Fresnel zone-plate lenses, cheap, powerful computers and sensitive, large area cameras have all driven the development of laboratory-based scanners that substantially increase the accessibility of high resolution 3D X-ray tomography. Added to this is a slew of new synchrotron-based developments such as propagation phase contrast x-ray micro-tomography, holo-tomography, soft X-ray-based water-window micro-tomography and large area mosaic micro-tomography that have expanded the application range of this characterisation technology enormously in recent years.

The X-ray microtomography lab at The University of Sydney now has three instruments with resolutions ranging from 40µm all the way down to 50nm that are being used to provide new insights in fields as diverse as dentistry and medicine, materials engineering, agriculture, palaeobiology and marine ecology to name just a few.

The CMCA is co-ordinating an ARC LIEF proposal in 2011 that will seek to obtain current-generation X-ray microtomography capabilities for WA researchers, especially those in the geosciences and physical sciences. All those interested in this funding application or micro-CT in general are encouraged to attend.

WHEN: Thursday 7 April 2011, 4.00pm-5.00pm

WHERE: CMCA Seminar Room, Level 1, Physics Building

CONTACT: Dana Crisan (Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis) (+61 8) 6488  2770

Refreshments provided.