NanoXCT

NanoXCT project phases

The overall project plan of the NanoXCT extends to a complete duration of 36 months, dividing the project into 4 phases. Each phase ends with a milestone and represents the chronological structure of the project: 

Phase 1) Specifications: 
In the first phase of the project the specifications for the required demonstrator, the required software modules and the showcases for characterizing nano-scale structures will be defined (WP2). The end-users will define the industrial needs and the test components for the different application areas. Finally the sample specimens together with conventional NDT data are collected. 

Milestone M1: “Specifications defined” marks end of phase 1.

Phase 2) Development of Methods and Techniques as 1st Concepts: 
In order to reduce the risks inherent in each component NanoXCT aims at a two stage implementation of the core phase. In the first stage (Phase 2) the first concepts of the core components will be developed. Using the results and the lessons learnt by the first implementation, a second stage is planned to integrate the pre-liminary results in further refined component prototypes. Phase 2 affects the workpackages WP4-WP8

Milestone M2: “1st component prototypes available” marks end of phase 2.

Phase 3) Feedback and Redesign of Methods for LabDemonstrators: 
This is the second part of the core phase,in which the core components of the demonstrator will be developed. WP3 aims at developing methods for chemical and structural analysis of the specimen. It covers X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, phase contrast imaging and multi energy computed tomography. WP3 is strongly related to WP8 software development concerning data reconstruction, evaluation, enhancement and visualization. WP3 implements the X-ray source concepts of a bright, high power nano focus X-ray source. WP5 addresses the limited field of view problem with a novel detector concept. WP6 develops the XRF component. In WP6 the NanoXCT device concept will be defined and implemented. WP6 develops a high precision manipulation system and the layout of the prototype to reach the defined specs. WP8 designs application specific software routines for NanoXCT data reconstruction, data evaluation, data enhancement as well as visualization. 

Milestone M3: “Components developed and tested” marks end of phase 3.

Phase 4) Integration:
Integration of all software and hardware techniques into the laboratory scale NanoXCT device demonstration system and preparation of the showcases:

• Nano structure characterization
• Chemical analysis using NanoXCT
• Demonstration on specimens provided by the end users

Milestone M4: “Software + hardware demonstrator available” => end of phase 4.

Phase 5) Demonstration + Evaluation:
For the defined showcases the prototype system will be demonstrated. This includes the complete NanoXCT concept ranging from data acquisition to data evaluation and ending with data visualization. 

Milestone M5: “Implementation done. Demonstration on showcases” project end.