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Our Nikon X-ray CT scanner offers a micro-focus source & an inspection volume for small-to-medium-sized parts. Also bookable by external computed tomography users at good rates. Central London-based.
Find our more about our Micro-X-ray CT Scanner:
- Uses and example outputs of our scanner
- How to access/book a scanning slot - and costs
- Scanner specification (technical info)
Contrast-enhanced micro-CT scan of the skull & cranial muscles of Mustela lutreola (European mink)
Using our Nikon XT H 225 CT scanner
Our micro-CT scanning facility is suitable for a range of biological, geological and engineering applications. Our users have scanned a variety of specimens, from primates and birds to fossils and to embryos. Some examples can be seen on this webpage.
Whether you are interested in quantifying bone, soft tissue or minerals, our flexible, state-of-the-art equipment can generate 3D volumetric data for you.
This CT scanner is adaptable to various needs and resolutions with different source configurations and flat panels. It is relatively easy to operate and comes complete with a CT wizard to help with the data acquisition process.
Micro-CT scan of the skull of a parakeet
Accessing our Nikon XT H 225 CT scanner
Our scanner sits in UCL's Centre for Integrative Anatomy (CIA) which is part of UCL's Department for Cell and Developmental Biology within UCL's DIvision of Biosciences.
It is sited in a dedicated room in UCL's Anatomy Building (room B16) in Bloomsbury, central London (nearest tube stations: Warren Street, Euston Square, and Euston (plus main trainlines).
You can book to use the scanner, whether you are a UCL member or from an external organisation, by:
1. Registering yourself as a user (you will need a username and password) by contacting UCL's Confocal Support on (UCL internal) x40904 or by emailing Dr Chris Thrasivoulou, Dr Michael Redd or Alan Greig.
[If you are already registered as a user, go straight to step 2.]
2. Heading to the Confocal Booking System, select your username from the dropdown menu, enter your password, and select Nikon_CT_scanner from the Confocal dropdown menu
3. Choosing your booking slot. There, you will also find options for selecting operational help and training for up to 2 hours (which can be extended up to 3 hours, when required for certain samples).
4. Price per hour of use:
| Rates Charged (excluding VAT at 20%*) | Registered Charity | UCL (internal) | Academia (external) | Industry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scanner use, per hour | £31.80 | £50 | £66.76 | £66.76 |
| Training (2-3 hours) | £150 | £150 | £150 | £150 |
*Note to table: If the user/organisation has a VAT exemption, then attach a valid VAT examption certificate to the Purchase Order.
Micro-CT scan of the skull of Toxicodryas blandingii (Blanding's cat snake)
Specification of our Nikon XT H 225 CT scanner:
- Maximum voltage - 225 kV
- Maximum resolution - 3 micron spot size
- Maximum specimen size - 20 cm x 20 cm x 20 cm
- Maximum sample weight - 15 kg
- Maximum CT swept diameter - 280 mm
- Maximum FID - 970 mm (nominal); moveable FID
- ASTM E2597 flat panel detector
- Detector - 2880 x 2880 pixel matrix; 150 micron pixel size; 30 fps
- Target options consist of: reflection, transmission and multi-metal