3D Materials Analytics

  • Visualization of iron sulfide growth in submarine volcanic ash

    What we do

    We use X-rays to non-destructively inspect the three-dimensional distribution of matter inside the object of investigation

  • Visualization of a corn sprout

    What we do

    We use X-rays to non-destructively inspect the three dimensional distribution of matter inside the object of investigation

  • Visualization of oxide and sulfide inclusions in an amphibole megacryst

    What we do

    We use X-rays to non-destructively inspect the three dimensional distribution of matter inside the object of investigation

  • Visualization of a starfish skeleton

    What we do

    We use X-rays to non-destructively inspect the three dimensional distribution of matter inside the object of investigation

  • Visualization of voids in an amphibole megacryst

    What we do

    We use X-rays to non-destructively inspect the three dimensional distribution of matter inside the object of investigation

3D X-ray microscopy & 3D X-ray microtomography

Our methods are based on the detection and subsequent localization of the degree of attenuation of the incident X-rays in the sample. The attenuation of X-rays by matter depends on both the chemical elements it consists of as well as the material density. The information about the varied X-ray absorption is encoded as grey values in the black-and-white images. The volume reconstruction facilitates, e.g.., visualization of fabric compounds as 3D models, or preparation of virtual thin sections in any desired direction.

澳门皇冠_皇冠足球比分-劲爆体育

What kind of result do I get?

The result of our non-destructive 3D X-ray analysis is the reconstructed spatial distribution of X-ray attenuation within the object, in the form of a digital image stack or as an image volume. Each image consists of voxels (volumetric pixels) and allows quantitative analyses of volume and surface properties, or size distributions of different fabric compounds, etc. In addition, the transmission images can be supplied. Any analysis of the tomography data is possible in the context of scientific cooperation.

澳门皇冠_皇冠足球比分-劲爆体育

Area responsible

Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Bach

Application Scientist

Dr Wolf-Achim Kahl

Lab Manager 3D X-Ray Microscope
MAPEX Center for Materials and Processes
University of Bremen 

GEO-Building, Room 5070
Klagenfurter Stra?e 2-4, D-28359 Bremen
Tel   +49 421 218 65408
Fax   +49 421 218 65429
Email: wakahlprotect me ?!uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de
https://www.hmi.uni-bremen.de/Kahl/kahl_home.html

Our key instruments

3D X-ray microscope ZEISS Xradia 520 Versa

Zeiss Xradia 520 Versa
3D X-ray microscope

  • Max.. 10W, 160 kV
  • resolution 0.3 to 25 ?m per voxel
  • Sample size ca. <1-50 mm
澳门皇冠_皇冠足球比分-劲爆体育
View of ProCon CT-ALPHA

ProCon CT-ALPHA
Micro X-ray computed tomograph

  • Max.. 50W, 190 kV
  • resolution 1-35 ?m per voxel
  • Sample size 1-100 mm
澳门皇冠_皇冠足球比分-劲爆体育
Phoenix-xray v|tome|x m

Phoenix-xray v|tome|x m
Micro X-ray computed tomograph

  • 2 tubes: 320 W, 240 kV/15 W, 180 kV
  • resolution (2 tubes): >3 ?m / <1 ?m
  • Sample size: 1-60 mm
澳门皇冠_皇冠足球比分-劲爆体育
View of the Walk-in X-ray radiation protection cabin with integrated experimental platform

Walk-in X-ray radiation protection cabin with integrated experimental platform
X-ray computed tomography / Talbot Lau Grating Interferometer

  • Max.. 75W, 150 kV
  • resolution down to 3 ?m per voxel
  • Sample size max. 250 x 220 mm
澳门皇冠_皇冠足球比分-劲爆体育
View of the Atom Probe Lab

Atom Probe (LEAP 5000 XR Cameca)
Specimen preparation using a ThermoFisher Dual Beam Helios G4 Cxe plasma focused ion beam

  • Max.. 75W, 150 kV
  • resolution down to 3 ?m per voxel
  • Sample size max. 250 x 220 mm
7T MRT System Bruker BioSpec 70/20 USR Avance III Elektronik

7T MRT System
Bruker BioSpec 70/20 USR Avance III Elektronik

  • MR imaging and spectroscopy in biology and materials science

More available instruments

Current instrumentation belonging to MAPEX-CF can be found in the Instrument Database of the MAPEX Center for Materials and Processes.

Research Highlights

Reactive transport modelling of autogenous self-healing: Impact of portlandite content and degree of hydration article
3D Materials Analytics|

Reactive transport modelling of autogenous self-healing: Impact of portlandite content and degree of hydration

Daniel Lahmann, Wolf-Achim Kahl, Sylvia Ke?ler

Cement and Concrete Research 197 (2025): 107965 

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2025.107965

Autogenous self-healing of cracked concrete remains a highly uncertain phenomenon in building practice, with the influence of the binder composition and…


Figure from the publication
3D Materials Analytics|

Timing of carbon uptake by oceanic crust determined by rock reactivity

Elmar Albers, Svenja J?ns, Axel Gerdes, Andreas Klügel, Christoph Beier, Simone A. Kasemann, Wolfgang Bach

Geology 51 (2023): 875

https://doi.org/10.1130/G51238.1

Carbonate formation during the alteration of oceanic crust is a global CO2 sink. Its timing and controls are not well understood,…


Dispersal of endolithic microorganisms in vesicular volcanic rock: Distribution, settlement and pathways revealed by 3D X-ray microscopy pic
3D Materials Analytics| MAPEX Research Highlights|

Dispersal of endolithic microorganisms in vesicular volcanic rock: Distribution, settlement and pathways revealed by 3D X-ray microscopy

Hinrich A. Schmid-Beurmann, Wolf-Achim KahlWolfgang Bach, Magnus Ivarsson, Michael Ernst B?ttcher, J?rn Peckmann

Terra Nova 35 (2023): 396–403

https://doi.org/10.1111/ter.12663

Pleistocene basanitic rocks of Vesteris Seamount in the Greenland Sea had been found to exhibit an endolithic habitat…