What is µ-computed tomography (µ-CT)?
Computed tomography (CT) is a process in which a sample is rotated in an X-ray beam. This produces images from different angles, from which a computer can calculate virtual sections through the specimen. The result is a 3-dimensional image stack that visualises the anatomy of the specimen being examined. The method is widely used in medicine. However, it is also increasingly used in basic zoological research, where the samples are much smaller, which requires a higher resolution of less than one µm (µ-CT). In contrast to histology, where the samples are cut, CT scans are non-destructive, which is particularly important when working with museum material.
What equipment is available at the LIB?
Two fully protected computer tomographs with different maximum sample sizes and resolutions are available at the LIB.
A laboratory is available for sample preparation and contrasting.
- Skyscan 1171
The Skyscan 1171 has an X-ray source with an output of between 40 and 130 kV. Samples up to 140 mm in diameter and 200 mm in length can be analysed.
- Skyscan 1272
The Skyscan 1272 is suitable for smaller samples up to 27 mm in diameter (75 mm in offset mode) and can theoretically achieve resolutions of up to around 0.5 µm. The X-ray source can generate between 20 and 100 kV.
What is µ-computed tomography used for at the LIB?
Researchers at the LIB use computed tomography data sets for a number of different applications such as the description of internal anatomy, for the virtual measurement of animals, as part of species descriptions or as a basis for functional morphological and biomechanical calculations such as finite element analysis or geometric morphometry. CT data sets also serve as the basis for 3D reconstructions.
Can external scientists use the CTs of the LIB?
In principle, this is possible as part of a co-operation or a Synthesys stay. Please get in touch.
Dr. Benjamin Wipfler
- Head of Morphology Laboratory
Phone: +49 228 9122 235
E-Mail: benjamin.wipfler@leibniz-lib.de