The Wark Leveraging Xradia’s Non-Destructive Imaging Solutions

Advancing Studies in Minerals Processing, Materials, Nanoscience With Multi-Length Scale 3D Imaging
PLEASANTON, CA–(Marketwire – Nov 28, 2011) – Australia’s renowned Ian Wark Research Institute (The Wark™), at the University of South Australia (UniSA), is leveraging non-destructive 3D X-ray microscopy solutions from Xradia to further groundbreaking research in minerals processing, colloids and nanostructures, and bio and polymer interfaces, across a broad range of industries, including advanced materials, manufacturing, energy, health, and environmental sciences. Extending progressive techniques such as Xradia’s multi-length scale imaging capabilities to postgraduate students and scientists worldwide, The Wark will advance both the study and development of new techniques and processes used in mining, manufacturing, life sciences, energy and other major industry sectors.

At the Xradia X-ray microscope are (L to R) Minister for Science and Information Economy, The Hon Jay Weatherill; Laureate Professor John Ralston, Director of the Australian National Fabrication Facility-SA Node, & Director, Ian Wark Research Institute, University of South Australia; and Professor Joe Shapter, ANFF-SA partner at Flinders University of SA. Source: University of South Australia; photographer Sam Noonan.

The Wark is a major contributor to UniSA’s research in the areas of chemical sciences and physical chemistry, both of which received the highest rankings of 5 in the 2010 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) assessment, confirming outstanding performance well above world standard in these areas. The Wark also plays a central role in the AU$73M Materials and Minerals Science Learning and Research Hub which is currently under construction at UniSA’s Mawson Lakes Campus. The Wark has installed Xradia’s MicroXCT-400 and UltraXRM-L200 systems at this campus to expand the facility’s capabilities for non-destructive imaging used in studying mineral processing, bio and polymer interfaces, and colloids and nanostructures. In early 2012, the Xradia facility will be re-located into a purpose built laboratory in this new building.

Xradia solutions provide 3D imaging for quantitative analysis of samples at length scales not addressed by traditional industrial computed tomography (CT) and electron microscopy techniques. Together, Xradia’s 3D X-ray microscope families, the VersaXRM, which includes the MicroXCT systems, and the UltraXRM, furnish 3D magnification needed to study samples ranging from sub-millimeter to tens of millimeters with resolution down to 700 nanometers as well as samples up to a millimeter in size with resolution down to 50 nanometers. Bridging the “resolution gap” left by conventional destructive techniques proves pivotal in volumetric imaging crucial to studying porosity and microstructure in materials, life and geosciences.

“This technology provides researchers with a new 3D perspective on their samples without the need for destructive analysis. This extends research capabilities to 4D, or the allowance for time- or condition-dependent study. Additionally, ability to achieve high resolution even at large working distances combined with this non-destructive aspect also enables in situ studies of the same sample in a variety of conditions,” says Laureate Professor John Ralston, Director of ANFF-SA & Director, Ian Wark Research Institute, University of South Australia. “Along with Xradia’s advanced high resolution and high contrast imaging, the ability to combine the MicroXCT and UltraXRM to perform multi-length scale imaging enables researchers to achieve efficiencies in their research efforts, as they scout a large section of a sample at low resolution, and then zoom into a specific area for detailed imaging at nanometer levels of the sample’s structure and properties. This is a powerful combination of tools.”

Vahan Tchakerian, Vice President of Global Sales and Field Operations at Xradia, Inc., noted, “We are proud to support an organization like The Wark that has a strong track record and commitment to world class research, and are impressed with the role the institute plays in attracting the best and brightest to South Australia. We are very excited to see the work that will come out of The Wark at UniSA, and believe we will be able to point to them as a state of the art facility from which all of our customers may be able to learn.”

About the Ian Wark Research Institute
The Wark is named in recognition of eminent Australian scientist, Sir Ian William Wark, and is a multi-disciplinary institute with a prized international reputation for fundamental and applied research and postgraduate education. The Institute currently comprises over 150 staff and postgraduate students, representing 40 different nationalities. It has an annual total operating budget over AU$20M with an extensive range of state-of-the-art instrumentation, currently worth in excess of AU$45M.

The Wark develops new technologies for use in industry, as well as improvements to existing processes. A major function of the Institute is the education of graduate students and The Wark has a highly prized international reputation in postgraduate education with an outstanding graduate employment record. Learn more at www.unisa.edu.au/iwri/

About Xradia
Xradia designs and manufactures 3D X-ray microscopes (XRM) for industrial and research applications. Xradia’s solutions offer impressive high contrast and high resolution imaging capabilities for a large range of sample sizes and shapes. Xradia’s two lab product families, the UltraXRM and VersaXRM, together offer a multi-length scale solution delivering full volume 3D imaging with resolution down to 50 nm. The company’s synchrotron solutions, UltraXRM-S and UltraSPX-S, offer resolution down to 30 nm. Additional information can be found at www.xradia.com .

Xradia is a registered trademark, and UltraXRM, VersaXRM and MicroXCT are trademarks of Xradia Inc. The VersaXRM family of X-ray microscopes includes the VersaXRM-500, and the MicroXCT-200 and MicroXCT-400. Other trademarks that may be mentioned in this release are the intellectual property of their respective owners.

The Wark™ is a registered trademark of the Ian Wark Research Institute, at the University of South Australia.

www.xradia.com