MicroCT Specifications

We have a Reflection Target for general purposes suitable for materials with a minimum spot size of 3µm.

We have a Rotating Target for larger denser material with a minimum spot size of 10µm.

The machine uses inspect-X: a software developed by Nikon for scan acquisition and reconstruction of volumes from the projections.

Typical output from the scanner is .tif stacks of image files (cross-sectional slices revealing internal structures of the specimen), though other outputs (DICOM, .VOL, etc.) are available upon request. 

Our x-ray facilities are located at our La Plata Works facility in Sheffield, UK. In these facilities is our associated Imaging Lab with high powered workstations capable of rendering big datasets. 

There is also a wide range of additional equipment in the lab including high-end graphics tablets, digital microscopes, 3D display screens and more. 

The resolution of scans depends on the distance from the object to the source of the x-rays. 

For larger specimens (~30cm across) resolution will be in the region of 60 - 100 microns, while for the smallest specimens (1 - 2cm or less) resolution is possible down to around 7 microns.

Maximum object dimensions is tricky to define in absolute terms. For a single scan, approximately 30cm in each of xyz dimensions is the maximum size. The cabinet is large enough to hold larger objects which may be scanned in multiple scans (up to 35cm in diameter and 90cm in height, object depending). 

Maximum weight is 30kg. 

 The system is manufactured to IRR99 and is lead-shielded to <0.5µSv/hr with multiple interlocks to prevent accidental exposure to radiation.

The room is a ‘supervised area’ with radiation levels monitored once a month.

The Radiation Protection Supervisor for x-rays is Jake Kean. Full documentation on safety protocols, including Local Rules, is available on request.

For Academic Researchers Only.

All users agree to acknowledge Neo Jurassica  in any publications arising from data collected at the Facility. This includes: 

a) Mentioning the Facility by name (“CT data from Neo Jurassica, Sheffield, U.K.”) in the methods section.

b) Acknowledging Neo Jurassica or one of our technicians that assisted in data collection as a named author, within the acknowledgment section.