Computed Microtomography
Non-destructive three-dimensional analysis of internal material structure.
O que é MICROCT
How Micro-CT Reconstructs Internal 3D Structure Without Cutting the Sample
Micro-CT (Computed Microtomography) is a non-destructive imaging technique that acquires a series of X-ray transmission images of a sample as it rotates through a full revolution, then reconstructs those projections into a three-dimensional volume with voxel resolution typically in the low-micrometer range. The reconstructed volume can be virtually sliced in any plane to reveal internal porosity, cracks, inclusions, layer structure or component assembly without physically sectioning the sample, and quantitative analysis of the volume yields metrics such as porosity percentage, pore size distribution and wall thickness. Because the sample is preserved intact, it can be re-examined or subjected to further testing after scanning.
What sets us apart
We don't hand over a spectrum. We hand over the interpretation.
Any lab can return peaks and numbers. Our report reads the data. Three differences define what we deliver — illustrated below with a real, anonymized case.
Multiple techniques, one integrated report
We don't hand back five loose reports. We cross-reference every technique's results into a single reading — each signal checked against the others — to reach an answer, not a pile of data.
- Contamination investigation — identifying and tracing the source of a foreign species.
- Performance degradation — explaining why a batch behaves outside expectations.
- New supplier validation — proving equivalence before switching.
3 LDPE batches · 4 techniques converge, NMR reveals the difference
In semicrystalline polymer systems, thermomechanical processing variables influence chain conformational dynamics¹. Solid-state NMR resolves chemical environments at the nanometer scale², sensitive to changes not detectable by XRD or FTIR³.
Technical justification anchored in the literature
Every technique choice and every inference in the report is backed by peer-reviewed literature — with citations in the text. The conclusion isn't loose opinion: it's a traceable argument, defensible in an audit and in front of the client.
- Numbered citations linking claim to source
- Official standards and methods referenced per analyte
- Auditable reasoning end to end
Conclusion and expert opinion
The report closes with a clear position, signed by the Principal Investigator: what the data shows, what can't yet be claimed, and the next step. It includes an honest caveat on the limits of inference — what separates a technical opinion from a guess.
- Explicit technical position, not just results
- Inference limits declared honestly
- Next-step recommendation signed by the P.I.
Four techniques confirmed equivalence; only the solid-state NMR revealed the subtle conformational change not distinguishable by conventional QC — a molecular signature consistent with the atypical filtration behavior.
Without the industrial line's parameters, no direct causal correlation can be established — a complementary step is recommended for elucidation.
Aplicações de mercado
Onde a MICROCT entrega resultados
Market Applications
Pharma
- Tablet internal structure
- Coating thickness analysis
- Porosity distribution
- Non-destructive tablet analysis
- Pharmaceutical packaging integrity
Materials
- 3D defect analysis
- Composite structure evaluation
- Internal void characterization
- Quality control inspection
- Material density mapping
Cosmetics
- Foam structure analysis
- Cream homogeneity assessment
- Powder compaction studies
- Product integrity testing
- 3D texture characterization
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about Computed Microtomography (Micro-CT)
How does micro-CT create a 3D image without cutting the sample?
- Micro-CT rotates the sample (or the X-ray source/detector) to capture many 2D X-ray projection images from different angles, then reconstructs them computationally into a full three-dimensional volume — the same principle as a medical CT scan, but at micrometer-scale resolution.
What resolution can micro-CT achieve, and how does it compare to nano-CT?
- Micro-CT typically resolves features in the range of roughly 1 to 50 micrometers, sufficient for internal defects, porosity, and layer structure in most tablets, materials and devices. Nano-CT extends this to sub-micron resolution for finer internal features, at the cost of a smaller field of view and longer scan times.
Can micro-CT quantify porosity, not just visualize it?
- Yes — because micro-CT reconstructs a full 3D volume, image analysis software can segment and quantify pore or void volume, size distribution, and spatial connectivity throughout the sample, not just show a qualitative cross-section.
Is micro-CT destructive to the sample?
- No — micro-CT is non-destructive, since it images the sample's existing internal structure using X-rays without cutting, polishing, or otherwise altering it, so the same physical sample remains available for further testing afterward.
What kinds of internal defects or features can micro-CT detect?
- Micro-CT can visualize and quantify internal voids, cracks, delamination between layers, coating thickness and uniformity, and the 3D distribution of different-density components within a single sample — information a 2D cross-section or surface technique cannot provide.
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