X-ray computed tomography lab

Short description

It is a laboratory located on the second floor of the Physics and Astronomy Department (headquarter in Viale Berti Pichat 6/2, room D019), where research and teaching activities as well as advisory services are carried out.  

In the laboratory, X-ray tomographic analyses are carried out on medium-sized objects (up to about 50 cm), with a high spatial resolution acquisition system, consisting of several components and developed by researchers of the DIFA's "X-ray imaging Group". The excellent spatial resolution obtainable with this system (the typical voxel size varies from 40 to about 150 μm, depending on the object analysed) allows its application in very different fields: paleontological, paleoanthropological, medical, industrial and Cultural Heritage. The analyses can be carried out both in the laboratory and on-site, since the system is compact and easily transportable. 

The laboratory responds to requests from colleagues from the University as well as from outside. For paid services there is an approved tariff. 

Research themes

The research lines concern possible applications of the X-ray tomography technique in various fields: 

• anthropology 
• biology 
• medicine 
• cultural heritage 
• archeology 

• paleontology 
• geology 
• environmental sciences 

Instrumentation

• Microfocus X-ray tube (130 kV, 0.5 mA) 
• X-ray tube (120 kV, 7 mA) 
• Flat panel digital detector 
• Motorized translation axes for detector and X-ray tube 
• Rotary table 

• Tip-tilt platform

Advisory services

Consulting and feasibility tests are carried out for companies that develop similar technologies, for example for medical applications.

Teaching and training

The X-ray Computed Tomography Laboratory offers its resources to support: 

• Laboratory activities for the following courses of the University of Bologna: 1st Cycle Degree in Physics and 2nd Cycle Degree in Physics 
• Development of degree thesis