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.
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.
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.
Bruker SkyScan 1172
The Skyscan 1172 is a microfocus desktop X-ray microtomograph, optimized for small samples and a plug-and-play scanning experience.
Bruker SkyScan 1272
The Skyscan 1272 is a high-resolution desktop X-ray microtomograph, optimized for small samples.
Nikon XT H 450
The 450 kV device offers precise dimensional metrology and quality control for very large and dense components.
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.
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
High speed radiography imaging…
Researchers at the core facility used in situ tensiometer imaging to measure the force required to pull materials through a liquid surface and determine precise contact angle values.
Using time-resolved radiography, the evolution of the contact angle was captured in real time.
Featured sample: ultra‑light hydrophobic silica aerogels (90% porosity), among the lightest solids on Earth.
News
Stochastic full-scale pore network generation for porous building materials: case study on ceramic brick
Abstract – Building envelopes commonly comprise porous building materials, with their functional performance governed by their microstructure, including the underlying pore structure. In recent years,
Strain mapping around fibre breaks in single- and multi-fibre composites: quantifying microscale deformation and damage via digital volume correlation
Abstract In this study, digital volume correlation (DVC) is applied to high-resolution synchrotron tomograms of glass fibre-reinforced epoxy composites, in both single- and multi-fibre configurations,
Wettability of hydrophobic silica aerogel granules and powders
Abstract The state of the art for characterizing the wettability of silica aerogel granules and powders heavily relies on the use of static contact angle
Design and Implementation of a Novel Fiber Deposition System to Enable Laser Sintering of Chopped Fiber Reinforced Polymers
Abstract In this research, the design and implementation of a novel chopped fiber deposition system for the laser sintering (LS) process is discussed. The system
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
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.