Latest advances of X-ray imaging and biomedical applications beamline at SSRF

Latest advances of X-ray imaging and biomedical applications beamline at SSRF 1 corresp first-author Corresponding author, xiehonglan@sinap.ac.cn Corresponding author, xiehonglan@sinap.ac.cn xiehonglan@sinap.ac.cn 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 corresp Corresponding author, tqxiao@sinap.ac.cn Corresponding author, tqxiao@sinap.ac.cn tqxiao@sinap.ac.cn Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF), Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201204, China Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF), Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201204, China On May 6, 2009, the X-ray imaging and biomedical application beamline (BL13W1) at Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF) officially opened to users, with 8–72.5 keV X-rays. The experimental station is equipped with four sets of X-ray CCD detectors of different pixel size (0.19–24 μM) for on-line phase-contrast imaging and micro-CT imaging with 0.8 μm spatial resolution and 1 ms temporal resolution. An in vivo micro-CT experiment for a living insect was realized in 4 s. An X-ray fluorescence detector is equipped for X-ray fluorescence mapping imaging and X-ray fluorescence micro-CT imaging with 50 μm spatial resolution. In order to meet different requirements from the users, several experimental methods, such as X-ray spiral micro-CT, X-ray local micro-CT, X-ray fast micro-CT, X-ray grating-based differential micro-CT, X-ray fluorescence micro-CT and X-ray quantitative micro-CT have been developed, and nearly 60 papers related to those developments for this beamline have been published. Moreover, the beamline has realized the remote fast CT reconstruction, providing a great convenience for the users to process experimental data at their offices. As of August 2014, the beamline has offered the user beamtime of (23145 h), from which 232 user papers have been published, including 151 SCI papers and 55 papers with SCI impact factor > 3. The quantity and quality of the user paper outcome keep a steady increase. Some typical user experimental results are introduced. X-ray imaging X-ray in-line phase-contrast imaging X-ray micro-CT CT reconstruction X-ray fluorescence CT I. INTRODUCTION 1 The beamline of X-ray imaging and biomedical applications (BL13W1) at Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF) devotes itself to dynamic in-line X-ray phase-contrast imaging (IL-PCI), X-ray microscopic computerized-tomography (Micro-CT) and other new techniques of X-ray imaging, such as X-ray fluorescence computed tomography (XFCT), grating-based differential phase-contrast imaging (GDPC), fast micro-CT, local micro-CT and spiral micro-CT. The beamline has two categories of applications, (1) low dose, non-destructive, high resolution, dynamic or 3-dimensional (3D) X-ray phase-contrast imaging for the inner microstructure of soft tissues and low Z materials [ 1 1 - 3 3 1-3 ]; and (2) non-destructive, high resolution, 3D X-ray absorption imaging for the inner microstructure of palaeontology, archaeology and geology samples. Its construction began on Dec. 25, 2004 and was completed in April of 2009, achieving all the design goals, as shown in Table 1 Table 1 . Since then, it has become a powerful experimental platform for interdisciplinary studies in biomedicine, materials science, archaeology and other fields in China. 1 1 Specifications 1 1 1 1 1 1 Design goals 1 1 Test results 1 1 Energy range (keV) 1 1 1 1 1 1 10–60 1 1 8–72.5 keV 1 1 Energy resolution (Δ E/E ) 1 1 1 1 1 1 < 5×10 -3 1 1 < 3×10 -3 1 1 Maximal beam size (mm@32 m@20 keV) 1 1 1 1 1 1 45 (H)×5 (V) 1 1 48 (H)×5.3 (V) 1 1 Photon flux density (phs/s mm 2 ) @20 keV@200 mA 1 1 1 1 1 1 1d9 1 1 1.9×10 10 1 1 Spatial resolution (μm) 1 1 Phase-contrast imaging 1 1 Dynamic 1 1 ࣘ20 @5 frame/s 1 1 15 @6.5 frame/s 1 1 1 1 1 1 Static 1 1 ࣘ 5 1 1 3.0 1 1 1 1 Absorption contrast imaging 1 1 1 1 ࣘ 3 1 1 1.5 1 1 1 1 Phase-contrast CT imaging 1 1 1 1 ࣘ 20 1 1 9.5 1 1 1 1 Absorption-contrast CT imaging 1 1 1 1 ࣘ 10 1 1 9.5 As of August 2014, the beamline kept a high efficiency and a low-fault operation ( Table 2 Table 2 ), running a total beamtime of (28246 h) with a low average fault rate of 1.3%. About 82% (23145 h) of the beamtime were provided to about 3200 users from 782 proposals in biomedicine, materials science, archaeology, environmental and earth sciences, physics, industry applications and so on. The approval rate of beamtime applications was 25%, and 232 papers were published by the users. The other (5101 h) of beamtime were used for in-house research and methodology developments, from which 51 papers were published. 1 1 Items 1 1 2009 1 1 2010 1 1 2011 1 1 2012 1 1 2013 1 1 2014(Jan.-Aug.) 1 1 Total 1 1 Provide beamtime (h) 1 1 3388 1 1 5248 1 1 5384 1 1 5370 1 1 5400 1 1 3456 1 1 28246 1 1 User beamtime (h) 1 1 2500 1 1 4408 1 1 4375 1 1 4641 1 1 4497 1 1 2724 1 1 23145 1 1 In-house beamtime (h) 1 1 888 1 1 840 1 1 1010 1 1 728 1 1 903 1 1 732 1 1 5101 1 1 Approved user proposals 1 1 94 1 1 141 1 1 148 1 1 149 1 1 151 1 1 99 1 1 782 1 1 User publications 1 1 4 1 1 24 1 1 35 1 1 51 1 1 56 1 1 60 1 1 232 1 1 Fault rate (%) 1 1 2.60 1 1 1.69 1 1 2.47 1 1 0.10 1 1 0.70 1 1 0.10 1 1 1.30 II. BEAMLINE 1 A sketch layout of the beamline is shown in Fig. 1 Fig. 1 . The light source is a hybrid-type wiggler of eight periods in periodic length of 14 cm. The maximum K -value is 24.8 at minimum gap (17 mm) of the wiggler magnet. Energy range of the synchrotron radiation is 8–72.5 keV, corresponding to the gaps from 17 mm to 35 mm. A white beam slit is placed at 20 m away from the source point. The maximum aperture is 30 mm×4 mm. The high heatload of 10 kW is a big challenge for the beamline. In order to reduce heatload on the downstream Be window and double crystal monochromator, a 6-axis highly-oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) filter was developed ( Fig. 2 Fig. 2 ). It consists of six water-cooled filter banks, each having two beam apertures blocked with two HOPG foils and being mounted to an individual actuator. HOPG was chosen as the filter material because it has a high thermal conductivity and a smooth natural surface to keep a good coherence of the beam for phase-contrast imaging. Several filter foils of different thickness can be combined into the beam for different wiggler gaps, beam currents and energy ranges, to keep a high flux output on samples in the entire photon energy range. The constant-exit double crystal cryogenically-cooled monochromator is placed at 28 m from the source point. In the monochromator, two sets of Si (111) and Si (311) crystals can be exchanged on-line. III. ENDSTATION 1 The endstation consists of two flexible experimental tables of 2.5 m and 5.0 m in length. The rail on the tables is used to adjust the sample–detector (CCD) distance. The sample stage allows translation in three dimensions with a resolution of better than 1 μm, and rotation in three axes with the max speed of θ z = 90°/s. Ionization chambers are used to monitor intensity of incident X-ray. Four kinds of X-ray CCD detectors of different spatial resolutions from 0.19 μm/pixel to 24 μm/pixel for different samples can be used. Field of view (FOV) of the X-ray CCD detectors can be up to 45 mm (H) × 5 mm (V) at the maximal beam size on the sample. Table 3 Table 3 shows the pixel size and field of view of X-ray CCD detectors on the BL13W1 endstation. Dynamic imaging experiments with spatial-temporal resolution of 9 μm/pixel @ 20 frame/s. Micro-CT experiments with spatial resolution of 0.37 μm/pixel have been realized. An X-ray fluorescence detector with the spatial resolution of 50 μm is used for developing X-ray fluorescence micro-CT (XFCT) method and X-ray fluorescence mapping method. The users can perform dynamic absorption or phase-contrast imaging, absorption or phase-contrast micro-CT, XFCT etc. on the endstation. 1 1 X-ray CCD detectors 1 1 1 1 Objective lens 1 1 Pixel size /μm 1 1 Field of view /mm 1 1 Scintillator (thickness /μm) 1 1 Optique Peter, PCO2000 1 1 http://html.publish.founderss.cn/rc-pub/api/common/picture?pictureId=10345413&type= http://html.publish.founderss.cn/rc-pub/api/common/picture?pictureId=10345424&type= http://html.publish.founderss.cn/rc-pub/api/common/picture?pictureId=10345420&type= 1 1 1x 1 1 7.4 1 1 155 1 1 Yag:Ce (100) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1.25x 1 1 5.92 1 1 125 1 1 Yag:Ce (100) 1 1 1 1 1 1 2x 1 1 3.7 1 1 7.6 × 5 1 1 Yag:Ce (100) 1 1 1 1 1 1 4x 1 1 1.85 1 1 3.8 × 3.8 1 1 Yag:Ce (50) 1 1 1 1 1 1 10x 1 1 0.74 1 1 1.5 × 1.5 1 1 Yag:Ce (50) 1 1 1 1 1 1 20x 1 1 0.37 1 1 0.8 × 0.8 1 1 Yag:Ce (20) 1 1 1 1 1 1 40x 1 1 0.19 1 1 0.4×0.4 1 1 Yag:Ce (20) 1 1 Hamamatsu Flash4.0 1 1 http://html.publish.founderss.cn/rc-pub/api/common/picture?pictureId=10345427&type= http://html.publish.founderss.cn/rc-pub/api/common/picture?pictureId=10345434&type= http://html.publish.founderss.cn/rc-pub/api/common/picture?pictureId=10345432&type= 1 1 AA50 1 1 0.65 1 1 1.331.33 1 1 GdOS:Tb (10) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2.25 1 1 2.32.3 1 1 GdOS:Tb (10) 1 1 1 1 1 1 AA40 1 1 6.5 1 1 135 1 1 LSO:Ce (10) 1 1 Photonic Science, VHR 1 1 http://html.publish.founderss.cn/rc-pub/api/common/picture?pictureId=10345437&type= http://html.publish.founderss.cn/rc-pub/api/common/picture?pictureId=10345443&type= http://html.publish.founderss.cn/rc-pub/api/common/picture?pictureId=10345440&type= 1 1 1 1 9 1 1 365 1 1 GdOS:Tb 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 13 1 1 455 1 1 GdOS:Tb 1 1 Princeton Instruments, Quad-RO 4320 1 1 http://html.publish.founderss.cn/rc-pub/api/common/picture?pictureId=10345446&type= http://html.publish.founderss.cn/rc-pub/api/common/picture?pictureId=10345451&type= http://html.publish.founderss.cn/rc-pub/api/common/picture?pictureId=10345448&type= 1 1 1 1 24 1 1 45×5 1 1 GdOS:Tb IV. METHODOLGY DEVELOPMENT 1 According to the users’ demands, 13 X-ray imaging methods were developed, as shown in Table 4 Table 4 . 1 1 Requirements from user experiments 1 1 Techniques and methods developed for user experiments 1 1 To speed up experimental data processing and to make it more convenient to users 1 1 A fast CT reconstruction system; 1 6 To improve image quality and to obtain quantitative 3D structural information of samples 1 1 A remote fast CT reconstruction system; 1 1 A lab for image processing 1 1 Phase retrieval methods for IL-PCI; 1 1 Grating-based differential phase-contrast imaging(GDPC); 1 1 Multi-energy micro-CT combined with data constraint model; 1 1 Ring artifacts correction for CT reconstruction 1 1 To reduce CT data-collection time and dose on samples 1 1 Fast micro-CT based on equal sloped tomography (EST) reconstruction algorithm; 1 1 Fast micro-CT based on compressed sensing (CS) reconstruction algorithm 1 1 To image elemental distributions of samples 1 1 X-ray fluorescence CT (XFCT), X-ray fluorescence mapping 1 1 D structural distributions of long samples 1 1 Spiral micro-CT 1 1 D structural distributions of large samples 1 1 Local micro-CT We have realized local and remote fast micro-CT reconstruction. The fast micro-CT reconstruction for a set of 1000 projections takes only 5 min. The remote fast micro-CT reconstruction system has been opened to users, bringing much convenience for users to treat experimental data at their offices. X-ray quantitative phase-contrast micro-CT has been realized and some achievements of phase retrieval methods of IL-PCI have been published [ 4 4 - 6 6 4-6 ]. XFCT, GDPC, spiral micro-CT and local micro-CT method have been built. X-ray multi-energy micro-CT combined with data-constrained modeling (DCM) for quantitative analysis of materials has been developed. Other X-ray imaging methods, such as low dose and fast micro-CT imaging based on equally sloped tomography (EST) and coherent X-ray diffraction imaging (CDI), are being developed. Moreover, the BL13W1 provides users with the ring artifacts correction software for micro-CT reconstruction. A. Quantitative phase-contrast micro-CT 2 Three methods have been developed for quantitative in-line phase-contrast micro-CT: (1) phase retrieval with a single distance propagation-based phase-contrast computed tomography (PPCT) data, (2) phase retrieval with two distances PPCT data, and (3) phase retrieval based on phase-attenuation duality (PAD), respectively [ 4 4 - 6 6 4-6 ]. Performance of different single sample-to-detector distance (SDD) phase retrieval algorithms was studied [ 7 7 ]. An approach was developed to determine the absorption correction factor (ACF) accurately for the Modified Bronnikov algorithm (MBA) to direct reconstruct 3D-refractive index from single SDD X-ray PPCT data [ 1 1 ]. It takes into account the wavelength, SDD and phase-attenuation duality of PPCT. The method was evaluated with a sample of nylon, polystyrene and PMMA fibers. Fig. 3(a) Fig. 3(a) shows the reconstructed result, Fig. 3(b) Fig. 3(b) shows histogram of Fig. 3(a) Fig. 3(a) , and the results indicate that three materials are well distinguished. Compared with phase retrieval with a single distance, phase retrieval with two SDD images can improve the precision apparently in quantitative X-ray in-line phase contrast imaging. However, a critical point that determines the retrieval efficiency of this method is optimization of SDD z 1 and z 2 . We investigated the problem systematically based on computer simulation and related experiments. The results show that the highest retrieving precision could be obtained while z 2 =3 z 1 , as shown in Fig. 4 Fig. 4 [ 5 5 ]. Extending validity of the phase-attenuation duality (PAD) method, the PPCT at 60 keV of synchrotron radiation for a sample with both light and dense components was investigated. The results show that the PAD-based PPCT is effective in imaging simultaneously the weak and strong absorption components. Compared with the direct PPCT technique, the PAD-based PPCT technique demonstrates its excellent capability in material discrimination and characterization ( Fig. 5 Fig. 5 ) [ 6 6 ]. B. Spiral micro-CT 2 The maximum beam size of BL13W1 is 45 mm×5 mm. For a long sample, it is difficult to obtain 3D images in one single CT scan. SR-based spiral micro-CT (SRS micro-CT) is able to obtain volumetric projection data of a long sample in one continuous scan, which is advantageous in its short acquisition time, high spatial resolution and less moving artifacts. An SRS micro-CT system has been built on BL13W1 [ 8 8 ]. SRS micro-CT of bamboo was performed. The 3D image and slices were of high spatial resolution, as shown in Fig. 6 Fig. 6 . The length of scanned bamboo was 10.54 mm, which is 2.73 times of vertical beam size. The inner fiber structures can be seen clearly. C. X-ray Fluorescence CT 2 X-ray fluorescence computed tomography (XFCT) allows non-destructive reconstruction of elemental distribution in a sample. The XFCT system was established and experiment results were obtained [ 9 9 , 10 10 ]. In this system, horizontal scanning geometry is used, with an energy-sensitive detector coupled to a multichannel analyzer to register the fluorescence signals simultaneously. A water-cooled X-ray CCD camera is used for direct imaging and alignment purposes. The XFCT system has been opened to public service. XFCT was applied to the reconstruction of a naturally dried cirrhotic liver of the Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat to investigate the distributions of Fe and Zn [ 11 11 ] ( Fig. 7 Fig. 7 ). Recently, ordered-subsets expectation maximization (OSEM) algorithm has been introduced into XFCT to speed up the data acquisition process. We are now studying accelerating X-ray fluorescence CT based fast scanning and OSEM ( Fig. 8 Fig. 8 ). D. Local micro-CT 2 An improved algorithm, pseudo-global tomography, is proposed to solve the local CT reconstructing problem. In order to compensate the lost part of projections in the local CT, an effective strategy is applied to reduce DC-shift and low-frequency artifacts caused by projection truncation. With the new algorithm, one is able to reconstruct the correct inner structure of the sample among all the region of interest (ROI) areas regardless of the location of the ROI in the sample without prior knowledge of it, as shown in Fig. 9 Fig. 9 [ 12 12 ]. E. Grating-based differential phase-contrast imaging 2 For low- Z materials, X-ray grating-based differential phase contrast imaging is of higher sensitivity than conventional X-ray imaging [ 13 13 ]. A set of X-ray grating-based imaging system, with one phase grating and one transmission grating, was installed on this beamline. Using the double-grating system, the complex coherence factor was measured and the transverse coherence length and source size were analyzed [ 14 14 ]. The reconstructed slices of absorption coefficient, decrement of the real part of refractive index and scattering coefficient of a mouse brain were obtained ( Fig. 10 Fig. 10 ) [ 15 15 ]. Without any staining, various tissues, such as caudate putamen (CPu), lateral ventricle (LV) and corpus callosum (cc), were distinguished in the reconstructed slices. F. Fast micro-CT based on EST 2 In order to reduce the absorbed dose and speed up the data collection time for micro-CT, we developed a low dose and fast imaging system based on equally sloped tomography (EST). In traditional filtered back projection (FBP)-based micro-CT, a large number of projections are needed to ensure high spatial resolution, which results in long exposure time and high absorbed dose. EST-based micro-CT can be applied to solve these problems. In method, the projections are equally sloped angled, not equally spatial angled. The reconstruction results of a cement material by FBP from 1000 projections and EST from 250 projections are shown in Fig. 11 Fig. 11 . It can be seen that a comparable image quality is achieved by EST with only 1/4 of the projections by FBP. Based on EST, In vivo micro-CT with 75% dose reduction and high pressure micro-CT with incomplete angle range of projections (samples in the diamond-anvil cell) have been realized on BL13W1. An In vivo micro-CT experiment for a living insect was realized in 4 s. The radiation dose on the sample was 1.69 Gy and the dose absorbed by the insect was 0.67 Gy. If we used equal angle tomographic method such as the FBP algorithm, at least 720 projections would be needed for this case, and the radiation dose would be 3.6 times higher. The EST-based micro-CT imaging system will open to users soon. G. Multi-energy micro-CT combined with DCM 2 A data-constrained modelling (DCM) method with multi-energy CT data sets was developed for characterizing sub-resolution compositional microstructures, enabling one to obtain quantitative compositional fractions on each image voxel. The approach has been successfully applied to characterize and predict the microstructure of a range of different materials, including distributions of zinc corrosion product and mineral phases in hydrocarbon reservoir limestone [ 16 16 , 17 17 ]. Microscopic 3D chemical distributions of a corroded zinc wire are shown in Fig. 12 Fig. 12 . This result is important for understanding the cathodic and anodic processes that occur during corrosion, and is vital when attempting to control the overall rate of corrosion. Also, 3D distributions of dolomite and calcite in a limestone sample were obtained. H. Local and remote fast micro-CT reconstruction 2 Fast CT reconstruction system was established at BL13W1. The CT reconstruction can be completed in 5 min, and remote data processing and transfer is realized. The system includes two parts: GPU parallel computing server and CT reconstruction software. The configuration of Nvidia Tesla C2050 with 448 GPU cores is 112 times faster than a 4-core CPU. The fast CT reconstruction software X-TRACT SSRF was developed by international cooperation of SSRF with CSIRO of Australia. Now it opens to users with about 100 registered users. These users can visit the website https://ct.ssrf.ac.cn, and download the client software X-TRACT SSRF. I. Ring artifacts correction for CT reconstruction 2 Caused by non-uniform response of detector elements and instabilities of light source, ring artifacts in CT slices greatly influence three-dimensional reconstruction and quantitative analysis. A correction algorithm based on polar-coordinate transform and Fourier transform is proposed for elimination of the ring artifacts [ 18 18 ]. Experimental results indicate that this algorithm not only eliminates the ring artifacts effectively, but also keeps the image edges and increases the signal-to-noise ratio ( Fig. 13 Fig. 13 ). The ring artifacts correction software for micro-CT reconstruction is based on the correction algorithm, it has been developed and opened to the users. V. APPLICATIONS 1 Experimental results of typical applications of BL13W1 will be introduced in this section. A. Biomedicine 2 BL13W1, of large beam size, high energy level and high coherence, achieves high resolution imaging for inner microstructure of soft tissues and low Z materials, and dynamic imaging for living animals in biomedicine. Users have carried out researches in different areas, including tumour diagnosis and treatment, nervous system, imaging methodology of phase contrast, safety of synchrotron radiation-based medical imaging, biomedical materials, scar of dermal tissue, acupuncture points, pharmaceutics etc [ 19 19 - 27 27 19-27 ]. Synchrotron radiation angiography provides a novel solution to directly monitor the success of middle cerebral artery occlusion. Twenty adult SD rats for middle cerebral artery occlusion models with different suture head silicone coating were prepared randomly, and the In vivo imaging experiment was performed on BL13W1 [ 28 28 ]. Silicone-coated suture is superior to uncoated suture for producing consistent brain infarction. Additionally, silicone coating length is an important variable controlling the extent of ischemic lesion: infarcts affected predominantly the caudate-putamen with large variability ( < 2 mm), both the cortex and caudate-putamen (2–3.3 mm), and most of the hemisphere, including the hypothalamus ( > 3.3 mm), as shown in Fig. 14 Fig. 14 . TIEG1 (TGF β inducible early gene 1) can induce apoptosis of cancer cells, but its role in inhibiting invasion and metastasis has not been reported and is unclear. The decreased TIEG1 expression is associated with increased EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) expression in breast cancer tissues and cell lines [ 29 29 ]. TIEG1 significantly inhibits breast cancer cell invasion, suppresses mammary tumorigenesis in xenografts in mice, and decreases lung metastasis by inhibition of EGFR gene transcription and the EGFR signaling pathway. The microangiography experiment fo r blood vessels was performed at BL13W1. The results show that TIEG1 binds the EGFR promoter to inhibitor its transcription, hence the reduction of VEGF and the neovascularization ( Fig. 15 Fig. 15 ). The regenerative treatment of large osseous defects remains a formidable challenge in orthopedic surgery today. Particularly, strategies to control the appropriate degradation rate adapting to the tissue reconstruction are essential for tissue regeneration. The osteoinductive growth factor, recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) was incorporated into calcium/magnesium-doped silica-based scaffolds [ 30 30 ], disulfide-containing PEG-based scaffolds [ 31 31 ], calcium silicate/calcium phosphate cement scaffolds [ 32 32 ], gelatin sponges based implant loaded with nanoparticle [ 33 33 ] for bioactivity and biodegradation promotion. The in vivo effects of scaffolds in rabbit radius or femur critical defect model were investigated by synchrotron radiation-based micro-computed tomography (SR micro-CT) imaging. The results indicate that the scaffolds underwent gradual resorption and replacement by new bone and induced reunion of bone marrow cavity in 12 weeks, much better than the effect of self-repairing group ( Fig. 16 Fig. 16 ). Both osteoinduction and appropriate degradation played a crucial role in accelerating and promoting bone augmentation and effective proangiogenesis. B. Archaeology and Paleontology 2 In archaeology, to protect important culture heritage, noninvasive characterization of 3D CT can acquire high-resolution inner structure of a sample. Eye bead, an article of western Asia style, is an evidence of East-West culture communication during the Warring State Period (475BC-221BC), but its production technology needs exploration. SR-μCT was used for the first time to obtain 3D images of an eye bead samples ( Fig. 17 Fig. 17 ). The ablate air bubble was found that will not appear in the normal glass phase, and the inlay production technology of eye bead was testified according to micro analysis [ 34 34 ]. By using scanning electron microscope and SR-μCT, crustacean fossils mainly focusing on a few phosphatocopines with nearly complete preservation of stalked eyes, antennula and limbs were examined successfully [ 35 35 ]. C. Materials science 2 BL13W1 provides hard X-rays of 8–72.5 keV to reveal inner microstructure of the samples nondestructively. And its high flux ensures observation of dynamic process of materials structure. Users performed studies on dendrite growth behaviour in the solidification process of metallic alloy [ 36 36 , 37 37 ], hydrogen evolution in the electrochemistry reaction [ 38 38 ], intermetallic compound (IMC) growth behaviour and evolution rule of the bubbles in soldering process at the brazing interface [ 39 39 , 40 40 ], etc. SR micro-CT can be used for characterizing the 3D structure of materials, such as 3D dendrite structure of alloy [ 41 41 ], composites and their distribution of cement in the different hydratation stages, the influence of foaming technology on the porous structure of polymer [ 42 42 ], the change of volume and density for materials in extreme condition of high pressure. Fast micro-CT based on EST or CS reconstruction algorithms can realize the evolution researches of 3D structures for materials. Combining synchrotron-based computed tomography with scanning electron microscopy-ultramicrotomy, the distribution of micrometer-sized inorganic particles within a polymer matrix was studied [ 43 43 ]. It was found that the inorganic particles distributed in a polymeric matrix can form independently, but interpenetrate clusters of varying size and fractal dimension with the largest fractal dimension of 2.36 ( Fig. 18 Fig. 18 ). Microstructure evolution of metal-ceramic materials Al-SiC was observed ( Fig. 19 Fig. 19 ) and related sintering kinetics parameters were obtained, different mechanisms of ceramic and metallic materials with microwave-dielectric loss and eddy current losses were analyzed. Further analysis of the mechanism of interfacial polarization and micro-focus were carried out. The experimental results [ 44 44 ] help to reveal the mixed-interaction mechanisms of microwave sintering of metal-ceramic materials and offer some significant references for actual production. Using a special tensile testing device, high-resolution in situ observations showed the fracture process for randomly oriented short carbon fiber/epoxy (SCF/EP) composites. Based on this method, the response to mechanical load of two samples containing untreated SCFs or oxidation-treated SCFs were compared ( Fig. 20 Fig. 20 ). An increase of about 6% in the proportion of broken fibers to other types of damaged fiber in the sample with oxidation-treated fibers, was observed. Also, the oxidation treatment reduced the ineffective lengths of the composite fibers by about 20%, hence the improved mechanical properties of the composites [ 45 45 ]. D. Pharmaceuticals 2 Structure of a pharmaceutical plays an important role in its function and effectiveness. Osmotic drug delivery systems (ODDS), delivering active agents by constant inner osmotic pressure, provide desired drug concentrations at the absorption site, maintaining the plasma drug level within the therapeutic range for a period of time, reducing the dosing frequency. The dynamic internal structural change in felodipine release process was investigated, and the remaining tablet core was correlated well with the percentages of felodipine ( Fig. 21 Fig. 21 ) [ 46 46 , 47 47 ]. This provides the new insight to the structure-based design of ODDS. SR micro-CT was also used to monitor blend homogeneity of binary mixtures composed of microcrystalline cellulose and starch [ 48 48 ]. E. Phytology 2 Identification of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) is an important way for quality control of TCMs. Compared with conventional microscopic identification methods, synchrotron radiation X-ray phase contrast micro-tomography (SR-XPCMT) provides clearer and finer microstructures of TCMs with better spatial and temporal resolutions nondestructively. Many investigations on different kinds of TCMs have been done since 2009 [ 49 49 - 51 51 49-51 ], including root and rhizome, fruit, flower, leaf, and so on. Fig. 22 Fig. 22 shows 3D structure of a part of main root of a wild ginseng and volume distribution of the calcium oxalate cluster crystals. The distribution, quantity and volume of the calcium oxalate cluster crystals were obtained. The results show that SR-XPCMT is promising methods for identifying TCMs, especially for valuable and difficult-slicing samples. Due to its nondestructive naturer, SR-XPCMT provides the feasibility of quantitative study on microstructures of TCMs. In addition, the complex structure of bamboo nodes was revealed by the synchrotron X-ray microtomography [ 52 52 ] and the cavitation and water-refilling processes in plants were observed with X-ray phase contrast microscopy [ 53 53 ]. F. Other fields 2 In space science, ground calibration with high energy X-rays of BL13W1 was performed for the Gamma-Ray Burst polarimeter-POLAR, which will be the first space instrument for precise polarization measurement of Gamma-Ray Burst. Moreover, the X-ray radiation dose effects of typical optoelectronic and large-scaled processor for 20–70 keV aerospace X-rays was studied to provide reference data of ionization radiation effect for typical large-scaled processor for aerospace. Researches in environmental science, physics, energy resources, and industrial applications were carried out on this beamline. The 3D structural characteristics and aggregation processes of farmland soil aggregates were studied, and the results revealed that different ways of fertilization in a long period could change morphology of the soil aggregate [ 54 54 ]. The compaction process of rods under tapping using CT method was researched to testify that the corresponding relaxation time versus tapping intensity follows an Arrhenius behaviour, which is reminiscent of the slow dynamics in thermal glassy systems [ 55 55 ]. The physical structure of Yangquan coal sample was characterized and the 3D visualization of compositions and volume fractions was realized. The results are relevant in quantitative modelling of coal-bed gas transportation and coal processing [ 56 56 ]. In the industrial applications, with 55 keV X-ray of BL13W1, 3D internal geometry of stainless steel diesel nozzle was obtained. This research has significant effect on improving the design of nozzle size and structure, and increase of the combustion efficiency [ 57 57 ]. VI. SUMMARY 1 After five years’ user operation, the user community of the beamline has been built with 2/3 of them being biomedicine and material science users. And its biomedical and material science applications have gotten some remarkable achievements. Micro-CT and dynamic imaging are dominating methods. Driven by user requirements, quantitative CT imaging techniques have been developed, especially for phase retrieval in propagation based phase contrast imaging. Other X-ray methods, such as local micro-CT, a low-dose and fast micro-CT imaging method based on EST reconstruction algorithm and X-ray phase-contrast imaging with grating interferometer, are also being developed. Two new X-ray imaging beamlines, i.e. X-ray fast imaging beamline and X-ray nano-CT beamline, have been proposed in the Phase-II project of SSRF. References T Davis , D Gao , T E Gureyev , et al . Phase-contrast imaging of weakly absorbing materials using hard X-rays . Nature , 1995 , 373 : 595 - 598 . DOI: 10.1038/373595a0 http://doi.org/10.1038/373595a0 Phase-contrast imaging of weakly absorbing materials using hard X-rays S W Wilkins , T E Gureyev , D Gao , et al . Phase-contrast imaging using polychromatic hard X-rays . Nature , 1996 , 384 : 335 - 338 . DOI: 10.1038/384335a0 http://doi.org/10.1038/384335a0 Phase-contrast imaging using polychromatic hard X-rays R Fitzgerald . Phase-sensitive X-ray imaging . Phys Today , 2000 , 53 : 23 - 26 . DOI: 10.1063/1.1292471 http://doi.org/10.1063/1.1292471 Phase-sensitive X-ray imaging R C Chen , H L Xie , L Rigon , et al . Phase retrieval in quantitative X-ray microtomography with a single sample-to-detector distance . Opt Lett , 2011 , 36 : 1719 - 1721 . DOI: 10.1364/OL.36.001719 http://doi.org/10.1364/OL.36.001719 Phase retrieval in quantitative X-ray microtomography with a single sample-to-detector distance R C Chen , L Rigon and R Longo . Comparison of single distance phase retrieval algorithms by considering different object composition and the effect of statistical and structural noise . Opt Express , 2013 , 21 : 7384 - 7399 . DOI: 10.1364/OE.21.007384 http://doi.org/10.1364/OE.21.007384 Comparison of single distance phase retrieval algorithms by considering different object composition and the effect of statistical and structural noise Y Q Ren , C Chen , R C Chen , et al . Optimization of image recording distances for quantitative X-ray in-line phase contrast imaging . Opt Express , 2011 , 19 : 4170 - 4181 . DOI: 10.1364/OE.19.004170 http://doi.org/10.1364/OE.19.004170 Optimization of image recording distances for quantitative X-ray in-line phase contrast imaging H Q Liu , Y Q Ren , H Guo , et al . Phase retrieval for hard X-ray computed tomography of samples with hybrid compositions . Chinese Optics Letters , 2012 , 10 : 121101 . DOI: 10.3788/COL201210.121101 http://doi.org/10.3788/COL201210.121101 Phase retrieval for hard X-ray computed tomography of samples with hybrid compositions Y D Wang , G Y Peng , Y J Tong , et al . Effects of some factors on X-ray spiral micro-computed tomography at synchrotron radiation . Acta Phys Sin , 2012 , 61 : 054205 . (in Chinese) DOI: 10.7498/aps.61.054205 http://doi.org/10.7498/aps.61.054205 Effects of some factors on X-ray spiral micro-computed tomography at synchrotron radiation B Deng , Q Yang , H L Xie , et al . First X-ray fluorescence CT experimental results at SSRF X-ray imaging beamline . Chin Phys C , 2011 , 35 : 402 - 404 . DOI: 10.1088/1674-1137/35/4/015 http://doi.org/10.1088/1674-1137/35/4/015 First X-ray fluorescence CT experimental results at SSRF X-ray imaging beamline Q Yang , B Deng , W W Lv , et al . Fast and accurate X-ray fluorescence CT imaging by ordered-subsets expectation maximization algorithm . J Synchrotron Radiat , 2012 , 19 : 210 - 215 . DOI: 10.1107/S0909049511052253 http://doi.org/10.1107/S0909049511052253 Fast and accurate X-ray fluorescence CT imaging by ordered-subsets expectation maximization algorithm B Deng , Q Yang , G H Du , et al . The progress of X-ray fluorescence computed tomography at SSRF . Nucl Instrum Meth B , 2013 , 305 : 5 - 8 . DOI: 10.1016/j.nimb.2013.04.045 http://doi.org/10.1016/j.nimb.2013.04.045 The progress of X-ray fluorescence computed tomography at SSRF W H Chen , Y D Wang , H Q Liu , et al . Pseudo-global tomography for local micro-computed tomography with high-brightness synchrotron X-rays . Chin Opt Lett , 2014 , 12 : 023401 - 023405 . DOI: 10.3788/col201412.023401 http://doi.org/10.3788/col201412.023401 Pseudo-global tomography for local micro-computed tomography with high-brightness synchrotron X-rays M Willner , J Herzen , S Grandl , et al . Quantitative breast tissue characterization using grating-based X-ray phase-contrast imaging . Phys Med Biol , 2014 , 59 : 1557 - 1571 . DOI: 10.1088/0031-9155/59/7/1557 http://doi.org/10.1088/0031-9155/59/7/1557 Quantitative breast tissue characterization using grating-based X-ray phase-contrast imaging J C Qi , L L Ye , R C Chen , et al . Measurement of X-ray coherence of third generation synchrotron radiation . Acta Phys Sin , 2014 , 63 : 104202 . (in Chinese) DOI: 10.7498/aps.63.104202 http://doi.org/10.7498/aps.63.104202 Measurement of X-ray coherence of third generation synchrotron radiation J C Qi , Y Q Ren , G H Du , et al . Multiple contrast micro-computed tomography system based on X-ray grating imaging . Acta Optica Sinica , 2013 , 33 : 1034001 . (in Chinese) DOI: 10.3788/aos20133.1034001 http://doi.org/10.3788/aos20133.1034001 Multiple contrast micro-computed tomography system based on X-ray grating imaging Y D Wang , Y S Yang , I Cole , et al . Investigation of the microstructure of an aqueously corroded zinc wire by data-constrained modelling with multi-energy X-ray CT . Mater Corros , 2013 , 64 : 180 - 184 . DOI: 10.1002/maco.201106341 http://doi.org/10.1002/maco.201106341 Investigation of the microstructure of an aqueously corroded zinc wire by data-constrained modelling with multi-energy X-ray CT Y D Wang , Y S Yang , T Q Xiao , et al . Synchrotron-based data-constrained modeling analysis of microscopic mineral distributions in limestone . Inter J Geoscience , 2013 , 4 : 344 - 351 . DOI: 10.4236/ijg.2013.42032 http://doi.org/10.4236/ijg.2013.42032 Synchrotron-based data-constrained modeling analysis of microscopic mineral distributions in limestone G Q Zhang , H Zhou , Y He , et al . Ring artifacts correction of computerized tomography image based on polar-coordinate transform . Acta Optica Sinica , 2012 , 32 : 0534001-1(6) . (in Chinese) DOI: 10.3788/aos201232.0534001 http://doi.org/10.3788/aos201232.0534001 Ring artifacts correction of computerized tomography image based on polar-coordinate transform X X Liu , J Zhao , J Q Sun , et al . Lung cancer and angiogenesis imaging using synchrotron . Phys Med Biol , 2010 , 55 : 2399 - 2409 . DOI: 10.1088/0031-9155/55/8/017 http://doi.org/10.1088/0031-9155/55/8/017 Lung cancer and angiogenesis imaging using synchrotron F L Yuan , Y T Wang , Y J Guan , et al . Real-time imaging of mouse lenticulostriate artery following brain ischemia . Front Biosci , 2013 , E5 : 517 - 524 . DOI: 10.2741/E633 http://doi.org/10.2741/E633 Real-time imaging of mouse lenticulostriate artery following brain ischemia P Liu , J Q Sun , J Zhao , et al . Microvascular Imaging Using Synchrotron Radiation . J Synchrotron Radiat , 2010 , 17 : 517 - 521 . DOI: 10.1107/S0909049510018832 http://doi.org/10.1107/S0909049510018832 Microvascular Imaging Using Synchrotron Radiation R B Tang , X Yan , W M Chai , et al . Microbubble-based synchrotron radiation phase contrast imaging: basic study and angiography applications . Phys Med Biol , 2011 , 56 3503 - 3512 . DOI: 10.1088/0031-9155/56/12/004 http://doi.org/10.1088/0031-9155/56/12/004 Microbubble-based synchrotron radiation phase contrast imaging: basic study and angiography applications R B Tang , W M Chai , W H Ying , et al . Anti-VEGFR2 conjugated PLGA microspheres as x-ray phase contrast agent for assessing VEGFR2 expression . Phys Med Biol , 2012 , 57 3051 - 3063 . DOI: 10.1088/0031-9155/57/10/3051 http://doi.org/10.1088/0031-9155/57/10/3051 Anti-VEGFR2 conjugated PLGA microspheres as x-ray phase contrast agent for assessing VEGFR2 expression D M Zhang , X H Yan , X Y Zhang , et al . Synchrotron radiation phase-contrast X-ray CT imaging of acupuncture points . Anal Bioanal Chem , 2011 , 401 803 - 808 . DOI: 10.1007/s00216-011-4913-7 http://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-011-4913-7 Synchrotron radiation phase-contrast X-ray CT imaging of acupuncture points J Z Hu , T D Wu , L Zeng , et al . Visualization of microvasculature by X-ray in-line phase contrast imaging in rat spinal cord . Phys Med Biol , 2012 , 57 : N55 - N63 . DOI: 10.1088/0031-9155/57/5/N55 http://doi.org/10.1088/0031-9155/57/5/N55 Visualization of microvasculature by X-ray in-line phase contrast imaging in rat spinal cord H Y Li , X Z Yin , J Q Ji , et al . Microstructural investigation to the controlled release kinetics of monolith osmotic pump tablets via synchrotron radiation X-ray microtomography . Int J Pharm , 2012 , 427 : 270 - 275 . DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2012.02.017 http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2012.02.017 Microstructural investigation to the controlled release kinetics of monolith osmotic pump tablets via synchrotron radiation X-ray microtomography C B Sheng , H Y Chen , B Wang , et al . NAD+ administration significantly attenuates synchrotron radiation X-ray-induced DNA damage and structural alterations of rodent testes . Int J Physiol Pathophysiol Pharmacol , 2012 , 4 : 1 - 9 . NAD+ administration significantly attenuates synchrotron radiation X-ray-induced DNA damage and structural alterations of rodent testes Y J Guan , Y T Wang , F L Yuan , et al . Effect of suture properties on Stability of middle cerebral artery occlusion evaluated by synchrotron radiation angiography . Stroke , 2012 , 43 : 888 - 891 . DOI: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.111.636456 http://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.111.636456 Effect of suture properties on Stability of middle cerebral artery occlusion evaluated by synchrotron radiation angiography H Y Lu , Y T Wang , X S He , et al . Netrin-1 hyperexpression in mouse brain promotes angiogenesis and long-term neurological recovery after transient focal ischemia . Stroke , 2012 , 43 : 838 - 43 . DOI: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.111.635235 http://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.111.635235 Netrin-1 hyperexpression in mouse brain promotes angiogenesis and long-term neurological recovery after transient focal ischemia C L Dai , H Guo , J X Lu , et al . Osteogenic evalu-ation of calcium/magnesium-doped mesoporous silica scaffold with incorporation of rhBMP-2 by synchrotron radiation-based mCT . Biomaterials , 2011 , 32 : 8506 - 8517 . DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2011.07.090 http://doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2011.07.090 Osteogenic evalu-ation of calcium/magnesium-doped mesoporous silica scaffold with incorporation of rhBMP-2 by synchrotron radiation-based mCT F Yang , J Wang , J Hou , et al . Bone regeneration using cell-mediated responsive degradable PEG-based scaffolds incorporating with rhBMP-2 . Biomaterials , 2013 , 34 : 1514 - 1528 . DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2012.10.058 http://doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2012.10.058 Bone regeneration using cell-mediated responsive degradable PEG-based scaffolds incorporating with rhBMP-2 J Zhang , H J Zhou , K Yang , et al . RhBMP-2-loaded calcium silicate/calcium phosphate cement scaffold with hierarchically porous structure for enhanced bone tissue regeneration . Biomaterials , 2013 , 34 : 9381 - 9392 . DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2013.08.059 http://doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2013.08.059 RhBMP-2-loaded calcium silicate/calcium phosphate cement scaffold with hierarchically porous structure for enhanced bone tissue regeneration L Y Cao , J Wang , J Hou , et al . Vascularization and bone regeneration in a critical sized defect using 2-N,6-O-sulfated chitosan nanoparticles incorporating BMP-2 . Biomaterials , 2014 , 35 : 684 - 698 . DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2013.10.005 http://doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2013.10.005 Vascularization and bone regeneration in a critical sized defect using 2-N,6-O-sulfated chitosan nanoparticles incorporating BMP-2 Y M Yang , L H Wang , S Y Wei , et al . Nondestructive analysis of dragonfly eye beads from the warring states period, excavated from a Chu Tomb at the Shenmingpu Site, Henan Province, China . Microsc Microanal , 2013 , 19 : 335 - 343 . DOI: 10.1017/S1431927612014201 http://doi.org/10.1017/S1431927612014201 Nondestructive analysis of dragonfly eye beads from the warring states period, excavated from a Chu Tomb at the Shenmingpu Site, Henan Province, China X G Zhang and B R Pratt . The First Stalk-Eyed Phosphatocopine Crustacean from the Lower Cambrian of China . Curr Biol , 2012 , 22 : 2149 - 2154 . DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2012.09.027 http://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2012.09.027 The First Stalk-Eyed Phosphatocopine Crustacean from the Lower Cambrian of China Q Dong , J Zhang , J F Dong , et al . In situ observation of columnar-to-equiaxed transition in directional solidification using synchrotron X-radiation imaging technique . Mater Sci Engineer A , 2011 , 530 : 271 - 276 . DOI: 10.1016/j.msea.2011.09.085 http://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2011.09.085 In situ observation of columnar-to-equiaxed transition in directional solidification using synchrotron X-radiation imaging technique Q Dong , J Zhang , J F Dong , et al . Anaxial columnar dendrites in directional solidification of an Al-15 wt.% Cu alloy . Mater Lett , 2011 , 65 : 3295 - 3297 . DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2011.07.013 http://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2011.07.013 Anaxial columnar dendrites in directional solidification of an Al-15 wt.% Cu alloy Y Xu , X M Ge , Y J Tong , et al . Kinetic Surface Roughening of Electrodeposited Amorphous PdP and NiP Films-A Comparative Study . Electrochem Commun , 2010 , 12 : 442 - 445 . DOI: 10.1016/j.elecom.2010.01.015 http://doi.org/10.1016/j.elecom.2010.01.015 Kinetic Surface Roughening of Electrodeposited Amorphous PdP and NiP Films-A Comparative Study H T Ma , L Qu , M L Huang , et al . In-situ study on growth behavior of Ag3Sn in Sn-3.5Ag/Cu soldering reaction by synchrotron radiation real-time imaging technology . J Alloy Compd , 2012 , 537 : 286 - 290 . DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2012.05.055 http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2012.05.055 In-situ study on growth behavior of Ag3Sn in Sn-3.5Ag/Cu soldering reaction by synchrotron radiation real-time imaging technology L Qu , N Zhao , H J Zhao , et al . In situ study on real-time growth behavior of Cu6Sn5 at Sn/Cu interface during soldering reaction . Scripta Mater , 2014 , 72-73 : 43 - 46 . DOI: 10.1016/j.scriptamat.2013.10.013 http://doi.org/10.1016/j.scriptamat.2013.10.013 In situ study on real-time growth behavior of Cu6Sn5 at Sn/Cu interface during soldering reaction M Y Wang , Y J Xu , T Jing , et al . Growth orientations and morphologies of a-Mg dendrites in Mg-Zn alloys . Scripta Mater , 2012 , 67 : 629 - 632 . DOI: 10.1016/j.scriptamat.2012.07.031 http://doi.org/10.1016/j.scriptamat.2012.07.031 Growth orientations and morphologies of a-Mg dendrites in Mg-Zn alloys Z Xing , M H Wang , G H Du , et al . Preparation of microcellular polystyrene/polyethylene alloy foams bysupercritical CO2 foaming and analysis by X-ray microtomography . J Supercrit Fluid , 2013 , 82 : 50 - 55 . DOI: 10.1016/j.supflu.2013.06.003 http://doi.org/10.1016/j.supflu.2013.06.003 Preparation of microcellular polystyrene/polyethylene alloy foams bysupercritical CO2 foaming and analysis by X-ray microtomography A E Hughes , A Trinchi , F F Chen , et al . Revelation of intertwining organic and inorganic fractal structures in polymer coatings . Adv Mater , 2014 , 26 : 4504 - 4508 . DOI: 10.1002/adma.201400561 http://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201400561 Revelation of intertwining organic and inorganic fractal structures in polymer coatings Y C Li , F Xu , X F Hu , et al . In situ investigation on the mixed-interaction mechanisms in the metal-ceramic system’s microwave sintering . Acta Mater , 2014 , 66 : 293 - 301 . DOI: 10.1016/j.actamat.2013.11.017 http://doi.org/10.1016/j.actamat.2013.11.017 In situ investigation on the mixed-interaction mechanisms in the metal-ceramic system’s microwave sintering X F Hu , L B Wang , F Xu , et al . In situ observations of fractures in short carbon fiber/epoxy composites . Carbon , 2014 , 67 : 368 - 376 . DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2013.10.007 http://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2013.10.007 In situ observations of fractures in short carbon fiber/epoxy composites X Z Yin , H Y Li , R H Liu , et al . Fractal structure determines controlled release kinetics of monolithic osmotic pump tablets . J Pharm Pharmacol , 2013 , 65 : 953 - 959 . DOI: 10.1111/jphp.12056 http://doi.org/10.1111/jphp.12056 Fractal structure determines controlled release kinetics of monolithic osmotic pump tablets X Z Yin , H Y Li , Z Guo , et al . Quantification of swelling and erosion in the controlled release of a poorly water-soluble drug using synchrotron X-ray computed microtomography . The AAPS Journal , 2013 , 15 : 1025 - 1034 . DOI: 10.1208/s12248-013-9498-y http://doi.org/10.1208/s12248-013-9498-y Quantification of swelling and erosion in the controlled release of a poorly water-soluble drug using synchrotron X-ray computed microtomography R H Liu , X Z Yin , H Y Li , et al . Visualization and quantitative profiling of mixing and segregation of granules using synchrotron radiation X-ray microtomography and three dimensional reconstruction . Int J Pharmaceut , 2013 , 445 : 125 - 133 . DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2013.02.010 http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2013.02.010 Visualization and quantitative profiling of mixing and segregation of granules using synchrotron radiation X-ray microtomography and three dimensional reconstruction Y L Xue , T Q Xiao , L H Wu , et al . Investigation of characteristic microstructures of wild ginseng by X-ray phase contrast microscopy . Acta Physica Sinica , 2010 , 59 : 5496 - 5507 . (in Chinese) Investigation of characteristic microstructures of wild ginseng by X-ray phase contrast microscopy L L Ye , Y L Xue , L H Ni , et al . Application of X-ray phase contrast micro-tomography to the identification of traditional . Chin medicine J Instrum , 2013 , 8 : C07006 . DOI: 10.1088/1748-0221/8/07/C07006 http://doi.org/10.1088/1748-0221/8/07/C07006 Application of X-ray phase contrast micro-tomography to the identification of traditional L L Ye , Y L Xue , H Tan , et al . X-Ray Phase Contrast Micro-Tomography and Its Application in Quantitative 3D Imaging Study of Wild Ginseng Characteristic Microstructures . Acta Optica Sinica , 2013 , 33 : 1234002(1-6) . (in Chinese) DOI: 10.3788/AOS201333.1234002 http://doi.org/10.3788/AOS201333.1234002 X-Ray Phase Contrast Micro-Tomography and Its Application in Quantitative 3D Imaging Study of Wild Ginseng Characteristic Microstructures G Y Peng , Z H Jiang , H L Xie , et al . Detection of complex vascular system in bamboo node by X-ray μ CT imaging technique . Holzforschung . 2014 , 68 : 223 - 227 . DOI: 10.1515/hf-2013-0080 http://doi.org/10.1515/hf-2013-0080 Detection of complex vascular system in bamboo node by X-ray μ CT imaging technique Y L Xue , T Q Xiao , G H Du , et al . Observation of cavitation and water-refilling processes in plants with X-ray phase contrast microscopy . Nucl Sci Tech , 2013 , 24 : 060101(1-6) . Observation of cavitation and water-refilling processes in plants with X-ray phase contrast microscopy H Zhou , X H Peng , E Perfect , et al . Effects of organic and inorganic fertilization on soil aggregation in an Ultisol as characterized by synchrotron based X-ray micro-computed tomography . Geoderma , 2013 , 195-196 : 23 - 30 . DOI: 10.1016/j.geoderma.2012.11.003 http://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2012.11.003 Effects of organic and inorganic fertilization on soil aggregation in an Ultisol as characterized by synchrotron based X-ray micro-computed tomography Y Fu , Y Xi , Y X Cao , et al . X-ray microtomography study of compaction process of rods under tapping . Phys Rev E , 2012 , 85 : 051311(1-8) . DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevE.85.051311 http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.85.051311 X-ray microtomography study of compaction process of rods under tapping H P Wang , Y S Yang , Y D Wang , et al . Data-constrained modelling of an anthracite coal physical structure with multi-spectrum synchrotron X-ray CT . Fuel , 2013 , 106 : 219 - 225 . DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2012.11.079 http://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2012.11.079 Data-constrained modelling of an anthracite coal physical structure with multi-spectrum synchrotron X-ray CT Z L Li , Z J Wu , Y Gao , et al . Measurement method for diesel nozzle internal geometry and size using high-energy synchrotron radiation X-ray . J Jilin University (Engineer Tech Edition) , 2011 , 41 : 128 - 132 . (in Chinese) Measurement method for diesel nozzle internal geometry and size using high-energy synchrotron radiation X-ray 10.13538/j.1001-8042/nst.26.020102 Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 11475248 and 11105213) 2014-09-26 2014-12-19 2015-04-12 2015-04-20 2021-04-11 2015 Nuclear Science and Techniques 2 26