Visualizing wood anatomy in three dimensions with high-resolution X-ray micro-tomography (μCT) – A review

IAWA Journal ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 408-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig R. Brodersen

High-resolution X-ray micro-tomography (μCT) has emerged as one of the most promising new tools available to wood anatomists to study the three-dimensional organization of xylem networks. This non-destructive method faithfully reproduces the spatial relationships between the different cell types and allows the user to explore wood anatomy in new and innovative ways. With μCT imaging, the sample can be visualized in any plane and is not limited to a single section or exposed plane. Conventional CT software aids in the visualization of wood structures, and newly developed custom software can be used to rapidly automate the data extraction process, thereby accelerating the rate at which samples can be analyzed for research. In this review the origins of xylem reconstructions using traditional methods are discussed, as well as the current applications of μCT in plant biology and an overview of pertinent technical considerations associated with this technique. μCT imaging offers a new perspective on wood anatomy and highlights the importance of the relationships between wood structure and function.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Maugeri ◽  
Mauro DiNuzzo ◽  
Marta Moraschi ◽  
Charles Nicaise ◽  
Inna Bukreeva ◽  
...  

Fractal analysis is a powerful method for the morphological study of complex systems that is increasingly applied to biomedical images. Spatial resolution and image segmentation are crucial for the discrimination of tissue structures at the multiscale level. In this work, we have applied fractal analysis to high-resolution X-ray phase contrast micro-tomography (XrPCμT) images in both uninjured and injured tissue of a mouse spinal cord. We estimated the fractal dimension (FD) using the box-counting method on tomographic slices segmented at different threshold levels. We observed an increased FD in the ipsilateral injured hemicord compared with the contralateral uninjured tissue, which was almost independent of the chosen threshold. Moreover, we found that images exhibited the highest fractality close to the global histogram threshold level. Finally, we showed that the FD estimate largely depends on the image histogram regardless of tissue appearance. Our results demonstrate that the pre-processing of XrPCμT images is critical to fractal analysis and the estimation of FD.


2014 ◽  
Vol 188 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Torsten Lauridsen ◽  
Kyriaki Glavina ◽  
Timothy David Colmer ◽  
Anders Winkel ◽  
Sarah Irvine ◽  
...  

2003 ◽  
Vol 255 (1) ◽  
pp. 351-359 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.J. Gregory ◽  
D. J. Hutchison ◽  
D. B. Read ◽  
P. M. Jenneson ◽  
W. B. Gilboy ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Tyler Pendleton ◽  
Luke Hunter ◽  
S. H. Lau

Abstract Conventional microCTs or 3D x-ray upgrades from existing 2D x-ray systems have two major drawbacks when they are used for failure analysis of advanced packages: Insufficient resolution to image small (1 to 5 microns) materials and the lack of imaging contrast to visualize cracks, whiskers, and defects within low Z materials. This paper discusses some of the failure analysis (FA) case studies of wireless modules using a high resolution micro x-ray CT (XCT). These examples show the value of high resolution XCT as a novel approach to some common package level defects, including some interesting case examples, where failure mechanisms have been uncovered which could not have been done, using conventional means. The non-invasive FA technique for RF modules technique has been shown to dramatically improve the FA engineers' chances of identifying defects over conventional 2D x-rays and avoid the need for physical and tedious cross sectioning of these devices.


2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (S1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc LABROUSSE ◽  
Delphine BLANCHOT ◽  
Xavier DUBERNARD ◽  
Nicla SETTEMBRE ◽  
Claude AVISSE ◽  
...  

2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 699-702 ◽  
Author(s):  
Russell Garwood ◽  
Mark Sutton

Computer reconstructions of Archimylacris eggintoni , a Carboniferous stem-group dictyopteran (‘roachoid’), are presented. A siderite-hosted specimen was scanned using high-resolution X-ray microtomography (µCT), and a ‘virtual fossil’ was created with a resolution of 17.7 µm. This has revealed the morphology in great detail, including adhesive limb structures indicative of climbing and specializations for rapid movement. The antennae are filiform, and the mandibles are comparable to those of certain extant cockroaches, suggesting a similar generalist, saprophagous diet. The reconstruction reveals a high degree of specialization, and provides insights into the mode of life of these common Palaeozoic insects. Further µCT study of insect fossils has the potential to supplement wing venation with new characters, and hence improve fossil insect phylogenies.


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