Welcome to the KU Leuven XCT Core Facility!
The KU Leuven XCT Core Facility offers X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT) infrastructure and services to study the internal structure and behavior of materials and biological tissues at different length scales.
Our Infrastructure
At KU Leuven XCT Core Facility we have an extensive infrastructure of XCT scanners, in-situ stages & software.

TeScan Unitom HR
The Unitom HR is a modular and flexible sub-micron resolution XCT system. The system aims at making high resolution and high contrast images.

TeScan Unitom XL
The Unitom XL is a multi-resolution micro-CT, optimized for high throughput and contrast, diverse sample types, and flexibility for your research.

Bruker SkyScan 1272
The Skyscan 1272 is a high-resolution desktop X-ray microtomograph, optimized for small samples.

Bruker SkyScan 1172
The Skyscan 1172 is a microfocus desktop X-ray microtomograph, optimized for small samples and a plug-and-play scanning experience.

GE Nanotom M
The Nanotom M with its high-power nanofocus tube and stabilised ultra-precision mechanics invades the sub-micron range in voxel size.

GE Nanotom S
The Nanotom S with its high-power nanofocus tube and stabilised ultra-precision mechanics invades the sub-micron range in voxel size.

Nikon XT H 225 ST
The 225 kV system offers high power combined with high measurement accuracy suitable to a vast range of materials and sample sizes.

Nikon XT H 450
The 450 kV device (unique in Belgium) offers precise dimensional metrology and quality control for very large and dense components.
KU Leuven XCT Core Facility Research lines
Nondestructive testing (NDT), quality control, and the study of material behaviour and its functional properties under specified environmental conditions, aiming for production process and material optimization. Covering a resolution range of 400 nm up to several hundred micrometers to unravel the internal structure, morphology, microstructural changes or damage development in materials based on high quality 3D and 4D (time-resolved) XCT images.
Application fields: complex materials, composites, geopolymers, agricultural products and food, dental materials, building materials and biological tissues. Scientists using the equipment and software of the KU Leuven XCT Core Facility profit from the synergy that the collaboration with experienced users in the field provides.
Featured image
Congratulations To Our Award Winner!
We proudly celebrate Chengnan Shi for winning the Best Paper Award at the 6th Central European Symposium on Building Physics (CESBP 2025) held in Budapest, Hungary from September 11–13, 2025. Out of over 160 full paper submissions, only four were selected for this recognition.
News

Impact of Disinfection and Sterilization on 3D-Printing Resin Performance for Surgical Guides in Cardiac Ablation Surgery
Abstract Patient-tailored, 3D-printed surgical guides offer significant potential to improve precision and therapeutic efficacy in cardiac ablation surgery. However, reliable post-sterilization material performance presents a critical

Multiscale image-based modelling of composite materials
Abstract By control of their constituents, interfaces and architectures, composite materials can display a much broader suite of beneficial material properties than is possible for

A time-resolved X-ray microcomputed tomography study of fermenting gluten-starch model doughs containing wheat and oat flour water extracts enriched in proteins
A B S T R A C T Water-extractable (WE) cereal flour constituents significantly influence bread loaf volume. However, the underlying mechanisms and the contribution

In situ biaxial tensile testing of composites: coupling X-ray computed tomography and digital volume correlation with finite element simulations
Abstract The mechanical behaviour of fibre-reinforced composites under multiaxial loading is critical for their structural performance but remains challenging to characterise at the microscale. This

Panoptic segmentation for complete labeling of fruit microstructure in 3D micro-CT images with deep learning
Abstract Metabolic processes in plant organs involving transport of water, metabolic gasses, and nutrients depend on the three-dimensional (3D) microscopic tissue morphology. However, imaging and

7th Symposium on X-ray Computed Tomography organized by the KU Leuven XCT Core Facility, to take place on May 6, 2025
Dear all, We are excited to announce the 7th Symposium on X-ray Computed Tomography organized by the KU Leuven XCT Core Facility, to take
Why Choose Us
Infrastructure
We offer an extensive infrastructure of XCT scanners, in-situ stages & software.
Team
We have a team of experts ready to help you. We are located just outside Leuven, easily accessible by car, or public transport. Our specialists aim to provide a seamless service.