Advancing X-ray micro computed tomography in Africa: Going far, together

X-ray micro computed tomography (microCT) is a high resolution non-destructive materials imaging technology and is emerging as a powerful tool for industrial and scientific research applications. The aim of this review paper is to present the capabilities and potential of this technique within an Af...

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Main Authors: Anton du Plessis, Stephan G le Roux, Muofhe Tshibalanganda
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2019-05-01
Series:Scientific African
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468227619302819
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author Anton du Plessis
Stephan G le Roux
Muofhe Tshibalanganda
author_facet Anton du Plessis
Stephan G le Roux
Muofhe Tshibalanganda
author_sort Anton du Plessis
collection DOAJ
description X-ray micro computed tomography (microCT) is a high resolution non-destructive materials imaging technology and is emerging as a powerful tool for industrial and scientific research applications. The aim of this review paper is to present the capabilities and potential of this technique within an African context. This is done using a representative sample: all work done at the Stellenbosch CT facility during 2018 is used as an overview of the type of work done at such a facility in Africa. Besides the plethora of academic research topics, the most important industrial applications are also discussed, which assisted to keep the Stellenbosch CT facility financially operational. This provides a wider understanding of the opportunities and capabilities of this technique and how it can benefit African researchers and local industries. The question “what is it used for?”, and more specifically “what is it used for in Africa?” is therefore answered. The availability of such X-ray tomography facilities helps to fast-track research by providing local expertise and support in Africa for advancing African science. This model is not only applicable to microCT but applies to any collaborative scientific endeavor in Africa, with success rates depending on the efficient sharing of resources, providing expert skills and advancing African science in Africa. There is an African proverb “if you want to go fast – go alone; if you want to go far – go together”. Clearly, African science will go far by working together in such facilities. Keywords: X-ray, Tomography, microCT, Africa, Nondestructive testing, Imaging
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spelling doaj.art-c231cd6389154097881998193aea83212022-12-21T18:53:14ZengElsevierScientific African2468-22762019-05-013Advancing X-ray micro computed tomography in Africa: Going far, togetherAnton du Plessis0Stephan G le Roux1Muofhe Tshibalanganda2Physics Department, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa; CT Scanner Facility, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa; Corresponding author.CT Scanner Facility, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South AfricaCT Scanner Facility, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South AfricaX-ray micro computed tomography (microCT) is a high resolution non-destructive materials imaging technology and is emerging as a powerful tool for industrial and scientific research applications. The aim of this review paper is to present the capabilities and potential of this technique within an African context. This is done using a representative sample: all work done at the Stellenbosch CT facility during 2018 is used as an overview of the type of work done at such a facility in Africa. Besides the plethora of academic research topics, the most important industrial applications are also discussed, which assisted to keep the Stellenbosch CT facility financially operational. This provides a wider understanding of the opportunities and capabilities of this technique and how it can benefit African researchers and local industries. The question “what is it used for?”, and more specifically “what is it used for in Africa?” is therefore answered. The availability of such X-ray tomography facilities helps to fast-track research by providing local expertise and support in Africa for advancing African science. This model is not only applicable to microCT but applies to any collaborative scientific endeavor in Africa, with success rates depending on the efficient sharing of resources, providing expert skills and advancing African science in Africa. There is an African proverb “if you want to go fast – go alone; if you want to go far – go together”. Clearly, African science will go far by working together in such facilities. Keywords: X-ray, Tomography, microCT, Africa, Nondestructive testing, Imaginghttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468227619302819
spellingShingle Anton du Plessis
Stephan G le Roux
Muofhe Tshibalanganda
Advancing X-ray micro computed tomography in Africa: Going far, together
Scientific African
title Advancing X-ray micro computed tomography in Africa: Going far, together
title_full Advancing X-ray micro computed tomography in Africa: Going far, together
title_fullStr Advancing X-ray micro computed tomography in Africa: Going far, together
title_full_unstemmed Advancing X-ray micro computed tomography in Africa: Going far, together
title_short Advancing X-ray micro computed tomography in Africa: Going far, together
title_sort advancing x ray micro computed tomography in africa going far together
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468227619302819
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