ECTS credits:
3 ECTS
Course parameters:
Language: English
Level of course: PhD course
Time of year: Autumn 2022
No. of contact hours/hours in total incl. preparation, assignment(s) or the like: 40 (5x8 hours) / 75 (total, including reading material, conducting project and writing report)
Capacity limits: 6 participants
Objectives of the course:
This graduate course is for PhD students, and other researchers if space permits, who wish to use laboratory-based X-ray micro-computed tomography (µCT) in their research. The course provides the student with an introduction to the basics of X-ray CT followed by experimental exercises composed of user training on the X-ray microscope Zeiss Xradia 620 Versa. Furthermore, simple tools for data analysis will be introduced, including computer exercises on the use of these tools for quantification and visualization of CT data. Data from CT measurements of bone, as an example of a material structured over several length scales, will be supplied for these exercises. Finally, each student will have a project day with an expert user to work on their own sample. The resulting data should be visualized and analyzed, and the project described in a report for assessment of the student’s learning outcome.
Learning outcomes and competences:
At the end of the course, the student should be able to:
- describe the basics of X-ray CT, including experimental concepts and the idea behind filtered back projection for image reconstruction
- conduct a simple X-ray CT experiment
- analyze CT data in terms of simple quantification and visualization
- describe/consider how apply X-ray CT within his/her own research
Compulsory programme:
Participation in all course components, including lectures, experimental, and computer exercises.
Course contents:
Below is a preliminary outline of the course, subject to changes:
1 day of lectures and tour of the AXIA facility (axia.au.dk)
1 day experimental exercises with the X-ray microscope Zeiss Xradia 620 Versa
2 days computer exercises
1 individual project day with an expert user
Prerequisites:
Bachelor degree or similar within natural science, technology, or medicine
Name of lecturers:
Nina Kølln Wittig
Henrik Birkedal
Type of course/teaching methods:
Lectures, experimental exercises, computer exercises
Literature:
Withers et al., X-ray computed tomography, Nat Rev Methods Primers 1 (17), 2021 (https://doi.org/10.1038/s43586-021-00020-7)
S. R. Stock, MicroComputed Tomography Methodology and Applications, CRC Press
Course homepage:
Course assessment:
Report describing the student’s individual project, including a description of the experiment and analysis flow, presentation of the obtained results, and a discussion thereof including perspectives on how µCT can contribute to the student’s overall research. The report will be evaluated on a pass/fail basis.
Provider:
iNANO, Aarhus University
Special comments on this course:
None
Time:
14-18 November 2022
Place:
iNANO, Aarhus University
Registration:
Deadline for registration is 21 October 2022 and is open for researchers from all Danish research institutions. Participants are accepted on a first come, first serve basis. Please note that the maximum number of participants is limited. Therefore, preference is given to students who need the instrumentation in their research. However, if registration has closed due to oversubscription, please send an email to nkw@inano.au.dk expressing your interest. Information regarding admission will be sent out no later than 24 October 2022.
If you have any questions, please contact Nina Kølln Wittig, e-mail: nkw@inano.au.dk
