ATRC Imaging Suite Equipment
Zeiss X-ray Computed Tomography
Size and spatial distribution of aggregates in a concrete sample
Sokhansefat, G. et al., Cement and Concrete Composites, 2019, 98, 150-161
Resolution: 100 nm–70 µm/pixel
This instrument can take non-destructive 3D scans of the internal structure of materials. Some of its application include characterizing porosity and micro rock structures, understanding crack propagation in ceramics, metals and building materials. This instrument can achieve a minimum scan pixel size of 100 nm. It has a large chamber for different in-situ testing stages to be constructed such as load, pressure, or adding fluid. This makes it possible to characterize material evolution in 4D (time-based).
Skyscan 1172 X-ray Computed Tomography (CT)
Resolution: 1–25 µm/pixel
This instrument provides non-destructive elemental analysis with the flexibility to work across a wide range of sample types and shapes. There is minimal sample preparation, and no coating is required. It can detect spot sizes from 2 mm down to 50 micron. It has a large vacuum chamber that accommodates samples up to 270 mm (W) by 270 mm (D) by 100 mm (H).
A 3D model of the segmented micro computed tomography data of a fly ash particle.
Hu et al., Fuel, 2014, 116, 229–236
Orbis Micro X-ray Fluorescence Microscope (XRF)
Elemental map of a concrete sample
Moradllo, M. K. et al., Cement and Concrete Research, 2017, 92, 128–141
Resolution: Down to 50 µm/pixel
This instrument provides non-destructive elemental analysis with the flexibility to work across a wide range of sample types and shapes. There is minimal sample preparation, and no coating is required. It can detect spot sizes from 2 mm down to 50 micron. It has a large vacuum chamber that accommodates samples up to 270 mm (W) by 270 mm (D) by 100 mm (H).Aspex Explorer Automated Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) technology
Magnification: 7x–240,000x
This SEM is designed for the automated imaging and elemental analysis of surfaces and particulate. It can be trained to find different areas of interest and investigate them without human intervention. The system is optimized for sizing and measuring the elemental composition of particles from 0.5 micron to over 100 micron. It is capable of scanning ~10,000 particles per hour when collecting both size and compositional data or ~30,000 particles per hour without EDS when collecting only sizing data.
This SEM is designed for the automated imaging and elemental analysis of surfaces and particulate. It can be trained to find different areas of interest and investigate them without human intervention. The system is optimized for sizing and measuring the elemental composition of particles from 0.5 micron to over 100 micron. It is capable of scanning ~10,000 particles per hour when collecting both size and compositional data or ~30,000 particles per hour without EDS when collecting only sizing data.
Aichele et al., Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 2015, 479, 46– 51.
Aboustait, M. et al., Construction and Building Materials, 2016, 106, 1–10