Preparing for a MicroCT Scan
It is recommended that new users contact the facility to discuss their research objectives before trying to prepare their samples or plan in-situ experiments. The composition and size of your sample, how the sample is prepared, and the microCT scanning parameters all have interconnected dependencies that ultimately affect the quality of the collected images and, therefore, research outcomes.
Below are a few things to consider when determining whether a sample is appropriate for use in the microCT:
Scanning Preparation #1. Identify scanning priorities
There are three major scanning outcomes that a researcher using microCT can prioritize:
It is important to understand that no scan can prioritize all three outcomes due to the intertwining relationships between spatial resolution, temporal resolution and signal-to-noise ratio. Here are some basic guidelines on how to identify which outcomes are key for an experiment.
Scanning Preparation #2: Sample Composition
The contrast (i.e. image quality) of a microCT image is directly tied to sample composition. Some samples can prove problematic for microCT imaging and may require special preparation or rethinking:
Scanning Preparation #3: Sample Dimensions
The dimensions of a sample (e.g. geometry, diameter, height, and weight) are limited due to physical constraints of the microCT system or in-situ stage. The sample dimensions page outlines these system limits.
The page also outlines recommended configurations due to how the sample dimensions can affect scanning priorities. More detailed descriptions and considerations of each sample dimension can be found by selecting one of the links below.
Scanning Preparation #4: Experimental Apparatus
If in-situ apparatus is needed for experimentation, the equipment essentially needs to follow the same guidelines outlined in the sample composition and sample dimension steps. But, there are a few other unique considerations for experimental apparatus that need to be taken into account. Any experimental apparatus needs to be approved for use in the microCT enclosure before experimentation can start.