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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 757 records · Page 42
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

X-ray scattering based scanning tomography for imaging and structural characterization of cellulose in plants

X-ray and neutron scattering have long been used for structural characterization of cellulose in plants. Due to averaging over the illuminated sample volume, these measurements traditionally overlooked the compositional and morphological heterogeneity within the sample. Here, a scanning tomographic imaging method is described, using contrast derived from the X-ray scattering intensity, for virtually sectioning the sample to reveal its internal structure at a resolution of a few micrometres. This method provides a means for retrieving the local scattering signal that corresponds to any voxel within the virtual section, enabling characterization of the local structure using traditional data-analysis methods. This is accomplished through tomographic reconstruction of the spatial distribution of a handful of mathematical components identified by non-negative matrix factorization from the large dataset of X-ray scattering intensity. Joint analysis of multiple datasets, to find similarity between voxels by clustering of the decomposed data, could help elucidate systematic differences between samples, such as those expected from genetic modifications, chemical treatments or fungal decay. The spatial distribution of the microfibril angle can also be analyzed, based on the tomographically reconstructed scattering intensity as a function of the azimuthal angle.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Particle-Tracking Proton Computed Tomography—Data Acquisition, Preprocessing, and Preconditioning

Proton CT (pCT) is a promising new imaging technique that can reconstruct relative stopping power (RSP) more accurately than x-ray CT in each cubic millimeter voxel of the patient. This, in turn, will result in better proton range accuracy and, therefore, smaller planned tumor volumes (PTV). The hardware description and some reconstructed images have previously been reported. In a series of two contributions, we focus on presenting the software algorithms that convert pCT detector data to the final reconstructed pCT images for application in proton treatment planning. There were several options on how to accomplish this, and we will describe our solutions at each stage of the data processing chain. In the first paper of this series, we present the data acquisition with the pCT tracking and energy-range detectors and how the data are preprocessed, including the conversion to the well-formatted track information from tracking data and water-equivalent path length from the data of a calibrated multi-stage energy-range detector. These preprocessed data are then used for the initial image formation with an FDK cone-beam CT algorithm. The output of data acquisition, preprocessing, and FDK reconstruction is presented along with illustrative imaging results for two phantoms, including a pediatric head phantom. The second paper in this series will demonstrate the use of iterative solvers in conjunction with the superiorization methodology to further improve the images resulting from the upfront FDK image reconstruction and the implementation of these algorithms on a hybrid CPU/GPU computer cluster.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2025

Iterative Reconstruction for Multimodal Neutron Tomography

Here, we describe a unified framework for model-based iterative 3-D reconstruction of multimodal neutron transmission, hydrogen-scatter, and induced-fission images from low resolution data recorded using 14.1-MeV neutrons and the associated-particle imaging (API) technique. The framework, which was developed to facilitate use in challenging field-deployment scenarios, is centered around physics-based system models and a total variation (TV) constrained implementation of the simultaneous iterative reconstruction technique (SIRT). Modified to solve a statistically weighted least squares (WLS) problem, the SIRT algorithm is accelerated using ordered subsets and Nesterov’s momentum for which we derive a near-optimal value of the governing Lipschitz constant. The approach enables the reconstruction of images that are high resolution compared to the acquired data and is robust to both limited statistics and a limited number of projection angles. Moreover, the framework is fast enough to be practical. Example images are provided that demonstrate both the ability to perform fast-neutron imaging of high-atomic-number materials with low radiation dose and the benefit of multimodal neutron imaging to identify key materials.

Hydrogen scatter↗
DOE OSTI2020

Revealing Three-Dimensional Morphology in Nanoporous Gold Using Three-Dimensional X-Ray Fresnel Coherent Diffractive Imaging Tomography

Nanoporous metals fabricated by dealloying have a unique bi-continuous, sponge-like porous structure with ultra-high surface area. The unique properties of these materials, especially nanoporous gold, have numerous potential applications in sensors and actuators and in energy-related applications such as catalytic materials, super-capacitors, and battery supports. The degree of porosity and size of the metal ligaments are critical parameters that determine many properties and thus govern the functionalities of nanoporous metals in many applications including energy storage and conversion. Additionally, we used Fresnel coherent diffractive imaging combined with tomographic reconstruction to quantify the nanoscale three-dimensional spatial distribution and homogeneity of the porosity and ligament size within a bulk sample of nanoporous gold. The average porosity and its standard deviation along the axial direction through the sample were determined, as well as the characteristic feature size and its standard deviation. The result shows that free corrosion is an effective way to create homogeneous nanoporous metals with sample sizes on the order of 1 µm.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Using multimodal X-ray computed tomography to advance 3D petrography: A non-destructive investigation of olivine inside a carbonaceous chondrite

Rocks form in three dimensions through time and studying them provides information from inside dynamic systems we cannot otherwise observe. Yet how we typically access the interior of the rocks themselves to gain that information may limit our understanding and influence how we reconstruct the processes that formed them. Here, we demonstrate combined non-destructive 3D X-ray imaging techniques that produce quantitative densitometric and crystallographic maps of entire individual grains inside a rock. Olivine grains throughout a sample of the carbonaceous chondrite Northwest Africa (NWA) 11346 were each characterized by size, shape, composition, zoning intensity, and crystallographic orientation. The addition of 3D crystallographic mapping to calibrated 3D densitometric analysis—used to calculate chemical composition—demonstrates a fully non-destructive petrographic method and provides unique insight. For instance, in our case, using crystallographic data to delineate individual grains and then measuring the 3D size, shape, and composition of each distinguishes variably reset relict grains from those later crystallized after a melting event. Intersection in a 2D slice could not have led to this interpretation because the integration of three-dimensional size, rounding, composition, location, and crystallographic orientation measured from each grain forms the key patterns. Multimodal laboratory X-ray imaging has strong potential to advance 3D petrography.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Computed Tomography (CT) Analysis of 3D Printed Lattice Structures

LATTICE structures are increasingly used in product design across different industries, including the Department of Energy (DOE), due to their high strength and lightweight properties. These structures possess qualities such as high stiffness, energy absorption, large surface area, and structural support. To ensure lattice structures' quality and symmetry, it is crucial to have defect-free structures. However, in some cases, traditional non-destructive evaluation methods may not be practical due to encasing lattice structures in material. To analyze the lattice structures' quality, this project will employ CT imaging to gain access to the encased structures and perform a detailed analysis of each section. Three 3D printed complex lattice cubes were created, with two exposed and one encased in material, for this project. The CT X-ray cabinet will be used to scan all three cubes, and the data collected will be reconstructed and evaluated using complex interpretation software. This analysis will allow for a detailed examination of the structure's porosity, inclusions, cracks, wall thickness, and symmetry in each section.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Brady’s Geothermal Field Computed Tomography Core Characterization

We present a publicly accessible database centered around multi-scale Computed Tomographic (CT) imaging of samples from the BCH-03 well, supplemented by a wide range of supporting geological analyses (Brown, et al., 2022). The data include detailed petrologic descriptions of core samples, core-scale medical CT scans, high-resolution micro-CT scans, thin section photomicrographs, elemental abundance data from X-ray diffraction, velocity wave measurements, and helium porosimetry of the matrix.

computed tomography↗
DOE OSTI2020

The Sealing Mechanisms of a Fracture in Opalinus Clay as Revealed by in situ Synchrotron X-Ray Micro-Tomography

The detailed mechanisms of the sealing of a single fracture, from hydration to almost complete closure by increase of confining pressure, as monitored from in situ synchrotron X-ray microtomography during the flow of carbonated water, is here shown for the first time. Different mechanisms play the key role at different stages in the evolution of the fracture. Hydration mechanically weakens the surfaces of the fracture and induces a first closure due to microcracking at the asperity contacts, increasing their size and creating choke points. Increase in confining stress promptly hydraulically seals the fracture by closing the main choke point, with a relative small deformation of the sample. Finally, the more pervasive mechanical deformation observed at higher stresses almost completely seals the whole fracture. The evolution of the sample has been described and quantified using 4D image processing, focusing on the evolution of aperture and digital volume correlation. Hydraulic properties of the sample at different stages have been modeled via Stokes flow simulation, and the results compared to the morphometric analysis, finding positive correlations with the average fracture aperture variation along the flowpath in function of confining pressure. Opalinus Clay is found to be a rock markedly prone to sealing in case of flow with carbonated water; this behavior is the result of the large fraction of clays and of its microstructure, lacking both cementing phases and large stiff particles. CO2 in this sample has no evident role in the evolution of the fracture; chemically induced weathering on the surface has not been detected, in contrast with the behavior observed in samples with carbonates as cementing phase.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Three-Dimensional Imaging and Quantification of Gas Storativity in Nanoporous Media via X-rays Computed Tomography

This study provides the engineering science underpinnings for improved characterization and quantification of the interplay of gases with kerogen and minerals in shale. Natural nanoporous media such as shale (i.e., mudstone) often present with low permeability and dual porosity, making them difficult to characterize given the complex structural and chemical features across multiple scales. These structures give nanoporous solids a large surface area for gas to sorb. In oil and gas applications, full understanding of these media and their sorption characteristics are critical for evaluating gas reserves, flow, and storage for enhanced recovery and CO 2 sequestration potential. Other applications include CO 2 capture from industrial plants, hydrogen storage on sorbent surfaces, and heterogeneous catalysis in ammonia synthesis. Therefore, high-resolution experimental procedures are demanded to better understand the gas–solid behavior. In this study, CT imaging was applied on the sub-millimeter scale to shale samples (Eagle Ford and Wolfcamp) to improve quantitative agreement between CT-derived and pulse decay (mass balance) derived results. Improved CT imaging formulations are presented that better match mass balance results, highlighting the significance of gas sorption in complex nanoporous media. The proposed CT routine implemented on the Eagle Ford sample demonstrated a 17% error reduction (22% to 5%) when compared to the conventional CT procedure. These observations are consistent in the Wolfcamp sample, emphasizing the reliability of this technique for broader implementation of digital adsorption studies in nanoporous geomaterials.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS1985

Quantitative computed tomography for spinal mineral assessment: current status

Quantitative CT (QCT) is an established method for the noninvasive assessment of bone mineral content in the vertebral spongiosum and other anatomic locations. The potential strengths of QCT relative to dual photon absorptiometry (DPA) are its capability for precise three-dimensional anatomic localization providing a direct density measurement and its capability for spatial separation of highly responsive cancellous bone from less responsive cortical bone. The extraction of this quantitative information from the CT image, however, requires sophisticated calibration and positioning techniques and careful technical monitoring.

Lumbar Vertebrae/radiography↗
NASA NTRS1999

Modeling of polychromatic attenuation using computed tomography reconstructed images

This paper presents a procedure for estimating an accurate model of the CT imaging process including spectral effects. As raw projection data are typically unavailable to the end-user, we adopt a post-processing approach that utilizes the reconstructed images themselves. This approach includes errors from x-ray scatter and the nonidealities of the built-in soft tissue correction into the beam characteristics, which is crucial to beam hardening correction algorithms that are designed to be applied directly to CT reconstructed images. We formulate this approach as a quadratic programming problem and propose two different methods, dimension reduction and regularization, to overcome ill conditioning in the model. For the regularization method we use a statistical procedure, Cross Validation, to select the regularization parameter. We have constructed step-wedge phantoms to estimate the effective beam spectrum of a GE CT-I scanner. Using the derived spectrum, we computed the attenuation ratios for the wedge phantoms and found that the worst case modeling error is less than 3% of the corresponding attenuation ratio. We have also built two test (hybrid) phantoms to evaluate the effective spectrum. Based on these test phantoms, we have shown that the effective beam spectrum provides an accurate model for the CT imaging process. Last, we used a simple beam hardening correction experiment to demonstrate the effectiveness of the estimated beam profile for removing beam hardening artifacts. We hope that this estimation procedure will encourage more independent research on beam hardening corrections and will lead to the development of application-specific beam hardening correction algorithms.

NASA Discipline Musculoskeletal↗