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At least 649 records · Page 36
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

Fast widefield imaging of neuronal structure and function with optical sectioning in vivo

Optical microscopy, owing to its noninvasiveness and subcellular resolution, enables in vivo visualization of neuronal structure and function in the physiological context. Optical-sectioning structured illumination microscopy (OS-SIM) is a widefield fluorescence imaging technique that uses structured illumination patterns to encode in-focus structures and optically sections 3D samples. However, its application to in vivo imaging has been limited. In this study, we optimized OS-SIM for in vivo neural imaging. We modified OS-SIM reconstruction algorithms to improve signal-to-noise ratio and correct motion-induced artifacts in live samples. Incorporating an adaptive optics (AO) module to OS-SIM, we found that correcting sample-induced optical aberrations was essential for achieving accurate structural and functional characterizations in vivo. With AO OS-SIM, we demonstrated fast, high-resolution in vivo imaging with optical sectioning for structural imaging of mouse cortical neurons and zebrafish larval motor neurons, and functional imaging of quantal synaptic transmission at Drosophila larval neuromuscular junctions.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS2017

Multi Modality Brain Mapping System (MBMS) Using Artificial Intelligence and Pattern Recognition

A Multimodality Brain Mapping System (MBMS), comprising one or more scopes (e.g., microscopes or endoscopes) coupled to one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors obtain training data from one or more first images and/or first data, wherein one or more abnormal regions and one or more normal regions are identified; receive a second image captured by one or more of the scopes at a later time than the one or more first images and/or first data and/or captured using a different imaging technique; and generate, using machine learning trained using the training data, one or more viewable indicators identifying one or abnormalities in the second image, wherein the one or more viewable indicators are generated in real time as the second image is formed. One or more of the scopes display the one or more viewable indicators on the second image.

Kateb, Babak↗
DOE OSTI2019

X-ray Assisted Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Its Applications for Materials Science: The First Results on Cu Doped ZrTe 3

Synchrotron X-ray Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (SX-STM) is a novel imaging technique capable of providing real space chemically specific mapping with a potential of reaching atomic resolution. Determination of chemical composition along with ultra-high resolution imaging by SX-STM can be realized through excitation of core electrons by incident X-rays when their energy is tuned to an absorption edge of a particular atom during raster scanning, as is done in the conventional STM experiments. In this work, we provide a brief summary and the current status of SX-STM and discuss its applications for material science. In particular, we discuss instrumentation challenges associated with the SX-STM technique and present early experiments on Cu doped ZrTe 3 single crystals.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS2013

Progress of a Cross-correlation Based Optical Strain Measurement Technique for Detecting Radial Growth on a Rotating Disk

The Aeronautical Sciences Project under NASAs Fundamental Aeronautics Program is extremely interested in the development of fault detection technologies, such as optical surface measurements in the internal parts of a flow path, for in situ health monitoring of gas turbine engines. In situ health monitoring has the potential to detect flaws, i.e. cracks in key components, such as engine turbine disks, before the flaws lead to catastrophic failure. In the present study, a cross-correlation imaging technique is investigated in a proof-of-concept study as a possible optical technique to measure the radial growth and strain field on an already cracked sub-scale turbine engine disk under loaded conditions in the NASA Glenn Research Centers High Precision Rotordynamics Laboratory. The optical strain measurement technique under investigation offers potential fault detection using an applied background consisting of a high-contrast random speckle pattern and imaging the background under unloaded and loaded conditions with a CCD camera. Spinning the cracked disk at high speeds induces an external load, resulting in a radial growth of the disk of approximately 50.8-m in the flawed region and hence, a localized strain field. When imaging the cracked disk under static conditions, the disk will appear shifted. The resulting background displacements between the two images will then be measured using the two-dimensional cross-correlation algorithms implemented in standard Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) software to track the disk growth, which facilitates calculation of the localized strain field. In order to develop and validate this optical strain measurement technique an initial proof-of-concept experiment is carried out in a controlled environment. Using PIV optimization principles and guidelines, three potential backgrounds, for future use on the rotating disk, are developed and investigated in the controlled experiment. A range of known shifts are induced on the backgrounds; reference and data images are acquired before and after the induced shift, respectively, and the images are processed using the cross- correlation algorithms in order to determine the background displacements. The effectiveness of each background at resolving the known shift is evaluated and discussed in order to choose to the most suitable background to be implemented onto a rotating disk in the Rotordynamics Lab. Although testing on the rotating disk has not yet been performed, the driving principles behind the development of the present optical technique are based upon critical aspects of the future experiment, such as the amount of expected radial growth, disk analysis, and experimental design and are therefore addressed in the paper.

Clem, Michelle M.↗
DOE OSTI2018

Management of Lumbar Spondylolysis in Athletes: Role of Imaging

Purpose of review: Spondylolysis is a broad term, with advances in imaging enabling more accurate diagnosis of the activity and severity of a lesion. This review discusses the role of different imaging modalities in the diagnosis and management of lumbar spondylolysis in athletes. Recent Findings: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has diagnostic and practical advantages over other imaging modalities and is particularly useful for detecting early stages of bone stress, including pre-symptomatic screening for active lumbar bone stress injuries. Whilst computed tomography remains the best imaging technique to visualise cortical breaches, specialised MRI sequences offer a viable alternative to detect active bone stress and chronic non-united defects. Summary: Imaging provides important information for the clinical management of athletes with lumbar spondylolysis. Roles for imaging, in particular MRI, include: (a) proactive screening and early detection, (b) diagnosis of a symptomatic lesion and (c) monitor healing and readiness to return to sport.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Localized surface plasmon assisted contrast microscopy for ultrathin transparent specimens

We demonstrate a high contrast imaging technique, termed localized surface plasmon assisted contrast microscopy, by combining localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPR) and dark-field microscopy technique. Due to the sensitive response of LSPR to the refractive index of the surrounding media, this technique is capable of converting a small refractive index difference to a change in scattering intensity, resulting in a high-contrast, diffraction limited image of a thin unstained specimen with small, gradual refractive-index variation.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2019

Multimodal x-ray and electron microscopy of the Allende meteorite

Multimodal microscopy that combines complementary nanoscale imaging techniques is critical for extracting comprehensive chemical, structural, and functional information, particularly for heterogeneous samples. X-ray microscopy can achieve high-resolution imaging of bulk materials with chemical, magnetic, electronic, and bond orientation contrast, while electron microscopy provides atomic-scale spatial resolution with quantitative elemental composition. In this work, we combine x-ray ptychography and scanning transmission x-ray spectromicroscopy with three-dimensional energy-dispersive spectroscopy and electron tomography to perform structural and chemical mapping of an Allende meteorite particle with 15-nm spatial resolution. Furthermore, we use textural and quantitative elemental information to infer the mineral composition and discuss potential processes that occurred before or after accretion. Additionally, we anticipate that correlative x-ray and electron microscopy overcome the limitations of individual imaging modalities and open up a route to future multiscale nondestructive microscopies of complex functional materials and biological systems.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Toward inverse backscatter absorption gas imaging: imaging a dry gas plume with ambient H 2 O absorption

This paper introduces inverse backscatter absorption gas imaging (iBAGI), a transparent gas imaging technique based on absorption spectroscopy of gases naturally present in ambient air being displaced by transparent gases. We demonstrate reconstruction of a 2-D image of a dry gas plume by measuring light of a raster-scanned diode laser tuned to an absorption line of atmospheric H 2 O. We quantify the performance depending on the distance to the backdrop and show that the key transmission metric is independent of absorption path length. We conclude with an outlook toward calibration-free, single-ended iBAGI using scattering from low-reflectivity backdrops.

Klug, Joseph C.↗
NASA NTRS1990

An experimental study of high-pressure droplet combustion

The results are presented of an experimental study on suspended n-heptane droplet combustion in air for reduced pressures up to P(r) = 2.305. Transition to fully transient heat-up through the critical state is demonstrated above a threshold pressure corresponding to P(r) of roughly 1.4. A silhouette imaging technique resolves the droplet surface for reduced pressures up to about P(r) roughly 0.63, but soot formation conceals the surface at higher pressures. Images of the soot plumes do not show any sudden change in behavior indicative of critical transition. Mean burning rate constants are computed from the d-squared variation law using measured effective droplet diameters at ignition and measured burn times, and corrected burning times are computed for an effective initial droplet diameter. The results show that the burning rates increase as the fuel critical pressure is approached and decrease as the pressure exceeds the fuel critical pressure. Corrected burning times show inverse behavior.

Norton, Chris M.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Lunar mineral feedstocks from rocks and soils: X-ray digital imaging in resource evaluation

The rocks and soils of the Moon provide raw materials essential to the successful establishment of a lunar base. Efficient exploitation of these resources requires accurate characterization of mineral abundances, sizes/shapes, and association of 'ore' and 'gangue' phases, as well as the technology to generate high-yield/high-grade feedstocks. Only recently have x-ray mapping and digital imaging techniques been applied to lunar resource evaluation. The topics covered include inherent differences between lunar basalts and soils and quantitative comparison of rock-derived and soil-derived ilmenite concentrates. It is concluded that x-ray digital-imaging characterization of lunar raw materials provides a quantitative comparison that is unattainable by traditional petrographic techniques. These data are necessary for accurately determining mineral distributions of soil and crushed rock material. Application of these techniques will provide an important link to choosing the best raw material for mineral beneficiation.

Chambers, John G.↗
DOE OSTI2014

WE-D-BRF-02: Acoustic Signal From the Bragg Peak for Range Verification in Proton Therapy

Purpose: Range verification in ion beam therapy relies to date on nuclear imaging techniques which require complex and costly detector systems. A different approach is the detection of thermoacoustic signals that are generated due to localized energy loss of ion beams. Aim of this work is to study the feasibility of determining the ion range with sub-mm accuracy by use of high frequency ultrasonic (US) transducers and to image the Bragg peak by tomography. Methods: A water phantom was irradiated by a pulsed 20 MeV proton beam with varying pulse intensity, length and repetition rate. The acoustic signal of single proton pulses was measured by different PZT-based US detectors (3.5 MHz and 10 MHz central frequencies). For tomography a 64 channel US detector array was used and moved along the ion track by a remotely controlled motor stage. Results: A clear signal of the Bragg peak was visible for an energy deposition as low as 10{sup 12} eV. The signal amplitude showed a linear increase with particle number per pulse and thus, dose. Range measurements were reproducible within +/− 20 micrometer and agreed well with Geant4 simulations. The tomographic reconstruction does not only allow to measure the ion range but also the beam spot size at the Bragg peak position. Conclusion: Range verification by acoustic means is a promising new technique for treatment modalities where the tumor can be localized by US imaging. Further improvement of sensitivity is required to account for higher attenuation of the US signal in tissue, as well as lower energy density in the Bragg peak in realistic treatment cases due to higher particle energy and larger spot sizes. Nevertheless, the acoustic range verification approach could offer the possibility of combining anatomical US imaging with Bragg Peak imaging in the near future. The work was funded by the DFG cluster of excellence Munich Centre for Advanced Photonics (MAP)

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2015

A new diagnostic approach to popliteal artery entrapment syndrome

A new method of diagnosing and defining functional popliteal artery entrapment syndrome is described. By combining ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging techniques with dynamic plantarflexion of the ankle against resistance, functional entrapment can be demonstrated and the location of the arterial occlusion identified. This combination of imaging modalities will also define muscular anatomy for guiding intervention such as surgery or Botox injection.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2022

First-principles simulation of light-ion microscopy of graphene

The extreme sensitivity of 2D materials to defects and nanostructure requires precise imaging techniques to verify presence of desirable and absence of undesirable features in the atomic geometry. Helium-ion beams have emerged as a promising materials imaging tool, achieving up to 20 times higher resolution and 10 times larger depth-of-field than conventional or environmental scanning electron microscopes. Here, we offer first-principles theoretical insights to advance ion-beam imaging of atomically thin materials by performing real-time time-dependent density functional theory simulations of single impacts of 10–200 keV light ions in free-standing graphene. Here we predict that detecting electrons emitted from the back of the material (the side from which the ion exits) would result in up to three times higher signal and up to five times higher contrast images, making 2D materials especially compelling targets for ion-beam microscopy. This predicted superiority of exit-side emission likely arises from anisotropic kinetic emission. The charge induced in the graphene equilibrates on a sub-fs time scale, leading to only slight disturbances in the carbon lattice that are unlikely to damage the atomic structure for any of the beam parameters investigated here.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Anatomical noise in contrast-enhanced digital mammography. Part II. Dual-energy imaging

Purpose: Dual-energy (DE) contrast-enhanced digital mammography (CEDM) uses an iodinated contrast agent in combination with digital mammography (DM) to evaluate lesions on the basis of tumor angiogenesis. In DE imaging, low-energy (LE) and high-energy (HE) images are acquired after contrast administration and their logarithms are subtracted to cancel the appearance of normal breast tissue. Often there is incomplete signal cancellation in the subtracted images, creating a background “clutter” that can impair lesion detection. This is the second component of a two-part report on anatomical noise in CEDM. In Part I the authors characterized the anatomical noise for single-energy (SE) temporal subtraction CEDM by a power law, with model parameters α and β. In this work the authors quantify the anatomical noise in DE CEDM clinical images and compare this with the noise in SE CEDM. The influence on the anatomical noise of the presence of iodine in the breast, the timing of imaging postcontrast administration, and the x-ray energy used for acquisition are each evaluated.Methods: The power law parameters, α and β, were measured from unprocessed LE and HE images and from DE subtracted images to quantify the anatomical noise. A total of 98 DE CEDM cases acquired in a previous clinical pilot study were assessed. Conventional DM images from 75 of the women were evaluated for comparison with DE CEDM. The influence of the imaging technique on anatomical noise was determined from an analysis of differences between the power law parameters as measured in DM, LE, HE, and DE subtracted images for each subject.Results: In DE CEDM, weighted image subtraction lowers β to about 1.1 from 3.2 and 3.1 in LE and HE unprocessed images, respectively. The presence of iodine has a small but significant effect in LE images, reducing β by about 0.07 compared to DM, with α unchanged. Increasing the x-ray energy, from that typical in DM to a HE beam, significantly decreases α by about 2 × 10{sup −5} mm{sup 2}, and lowers β by about 0.14 compared to LE images. A comparison of SE and DE CEDM at 4 min postcontrast shows equivalent power law parameters in unprocessed images, and lower α and β by about 3 × 10{sup −5} mm{sup 2} and 0.50, respectively, in DE versus SE subtracted images.Conclusions: Image subtraction in both SE and DE CEDM reduces β by over a factor of 2, while maintaining α below that in DM. Given the equivalent α between SE and DE unprocessed CEDM images, and the smaller anatomical noise in the DE subtracted images, the DE approach may have an advantage over SE CEDM. It will be necessary to test this potential advantage in future lesion detectability experiments, which account for realistic lesion signals. The authors' results suggest that LE images could be used in place of DM images in CEDM exam interpretation.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
NASA NTRS2007

Diagnostic Imaging in the Medical Support of the Future Missions to the Moon

This viewgraph presentation is a course that reviews the diagnostic imaging techniques available for medical support on the future moon missions. The educational objectives of the course are to: 1) Update the audience on the curreultrasound imaging in space flight; 2) Discuss the unique aspects of conducting ultrasound imaging on ISS, interplanetary transit, ultrasound imaging on ISS, interplanetary transit, and lunar surface operations; and 3) Review preliminary data obtained in simulations of medical imaging in lunar surface operations.

Sargsyan, Ashot E.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Detection of Objects Hidden in Highly Scattering Media Using Time-Gated Imaging Methods

Non-intrusive and non-invasive optical imaging techniques has generated great interest among researchers for their potential applications to biological study, device characterization, surface defect detection, and jet fuel dynamics. Non-linear optical parametric amplification gate (NLOPG) has been used to detect back-scattered images of objects hidden in diluted Intralipid solutions. To directly detect objects hidden in highly scattering media, the diffusive component of light needs to be sorted out from early arrived ballistic and snake photons. In an optical imaging system, images are collected in transmission or back-scattered geometry. The early arrival photons in the transmission approach, always carry the direct information of the hidden object embedded in the turbid medium. In the back-scattered approach, the result is not so forth coming. In the presence of a scattering host, the first arrival photons in back-scattered approach will be directly photons from the host material. In the presentation, NLOPG was applied to acquire time resolved back-scattered images under the phase matching condition. A time-gated amplified signal was obtained through this NLOPG process. The system's gain was approximately 100 times. The time-gate was achieved through phase matching condition where only coherent photons retain their phase. As a result, the diffusive photons, which were the primary contributor to the background, were removed. With a large dynamic range and high resolution, time-gated early light imaging has the potential for improving rocket/aircraft design by determining jets shape and particle sizes. Refinements to these techniques may enable drop size measurements in the highly scattering, optically dense region of multi-element rocket injectors. These types of measurements should greatly enhance the design of stable, and higher performing rocket engines.

Galland, Pierre A.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Single-Filament Imaging Mass Spectrometry Lipidomics in Arthrospira platensis

Elucidating intra-organismal biochemical and lipid organization in photosynthetic biological cell factories of filamentous cyanobacteria, i.e., Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina), is important to track physiological response mechanisms during growth. Little is known about the filaments' biochemical organization and cellular structure and no label-free imaging techniques exist that provide molecular mapping. We applied ultra-high resolution mass spectrometry (7T FT-ICR-MS) matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) imaging to immobilized Spirulina filaments to investigate the localization of lipids across distinct physiological regions. We optimized matrix selection and deposition methods with the goal of facilitating high spatial, and intra-filament, resolution using untargeted multivariate statistical spectral deconvolution across MS pixels. Our results demonstrate an improved two step application with an optimized procedure for intra-organismal lipid profiling to improve analyte sensitivity and achieve higher spatial resolution, whereby we evaluate three conventional matrices 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB), a 9:1 ratio of DHB:superDHB (sDHB), 1,5- diaminonaphthalene (DAN) and a 50:50 mix of DHB:sDHB and compare delineation and pixel-based elucidation of intra-filament lipidomics. We identified a total of 1,626 features that could be putatively assigned a lipid-like formula based on database query and 46 unique features, with associated lipid assignments that were significantly distinct in their intra-filament location. MALDI- imaging MS with untargeted statistical spectral deconvolution was used to visualize intra-filament lipidomics organization in Spirulina filaments. Improvements in matrix deposition, including sequential sublimation and pneumatic spraying, increased signal abundance at high spatial resolution and allowed for identification of distinct lipid composition regions. Here in this work outlines a methodology that may be used for micro-ecological untargeted molecular phenotyping.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Reflection type of terahertz imaging system using a high-T{sub c} superconducting oscillator

A reflection type of imaging system is shown at sub-terahertz frequencies generated from high-T{sub c} superconducting intrinsic Josephson junction mesa structures fabricated by single crystalline Bi{sub 2}Sr{sub 2}CaCu{sub 2}O{sub 8+δ} to demonstrate how the sub-terahertz imaging technique using monochromatic radiation is powerful and unique for the variety of practical applications. Several examples are discussed in detail and are compared to other terahertz imaging systems.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗