The High-Resolution X-ray Computed Tomography Facility at the University of Texas at Austin (UTCT) is an NSF-supported shared multi-user facility. The UTCT offers scientific researchers across the earth, biological and engineering sciences access to a completely nondestructive technique for visualizing features in the interior of opaque solid objects, and for obtaining digital information on their 3-D geometries and properties.

Interested in scanning materials at our facility? See the Scanning FAQ or download the Scan Agreement Form.

Examples of High-Resolution X-ray CT

Garnet-kyanite schist, pseudocolored 3D reconstructions from CT scans.

News and Happenings

UTCT's new high-resolution CT scanner arrives this spring!

UTCT is further expanding our imaging capabilities with the acquisition of an Xradia MicroXCT scanner, scheduled for delivery in April. This scanner is capable of single micron resolution, thus effectively covering the smaller specimen size ranges (<1 cm) previously beyond our capabilities, and can accomodate samples up to a few centimeters in diameter. The MicroXCT scanner also features Xradia's Phased Enhanced Detector technology, which provides higher contrast between materials within a sample without the need for contrast enhancement agents. 'Watch this space' for sample imagery once the new scanner is up and running!

Selected Recent Publications
Benedix, G.K., Ketcham, R.A., Wilson, L., McCoy, T.J., Bogard, D.D., Garrison, D.H., Herzog, G.F., Xue, S., Klein, J., and Middleton, R. (2008) The formation and chronology of the PAT 91501 impact-melt L chondrite with vesicle-metal-sulfide assemblages. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 79, 2417-2428.

Rowe, T., Rich, T.H., Vickers-Rich, P., Springer, M., and Woodburne, M.O. (2008) The oldest platypus and its bearing on divergence timing of the platypus and echidna clades. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 105, 1238-1242. Supplemental material: http://digimorph.org/specimens/Teinolophos_trusleri/

Udawatta, R.P., Gantzer, C.J., Anderson, S.H., and Garrett, H.E. (2008) Agroforestry and grass buffer effects on pore characteristics measured by high-resolution X-ray computed tomography. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 72, 295-304.

Hawkins, A.T., Selverstone, J., Brearley, A.J., Beane, R.J., Ketcham, R.A., and Carlson, W.D. (2007) Origin and mechanical significance of honeycomb garnet in high-pressure metasedimentary rocks from the Tauern Window, Eastern Alps. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 25, 565-583.