Multiscale X-ray Imaging Lab (MXI Lab)

We focus on two primary research areas:

1. Bio-imaging of intact human organs (ex vivo) at near-cellular resolution, advancing our understanding of our body in health, ageing and disease, to help cure or mitigate disease from neuro-degeneration to cancer.

2. Materials imaging, with an emphasis on additive manufacturing and laser material processing to innovate new materials, processes and components- from next-generation joint replacements to more sustainable transport solutions.

Our work

Our lab integrates multi-modal imaging, computational simulation, and AI-driven analysis to study complex, three-phase materials at the microstructural level (nano- to micro-metre scale). We develop high-precision experimental rigs capable of simulating the dynamic behaviour of both biological and engineered materials. These are deployed on synchrotron beamlines, allowing us to see internal structures in 3D and in real time, with unprecedented resolution. This has two main applications: Hierarchical Phase-Contrast Tomography (HiP-CT) imaging of biological samples and multi-modal imaging of advanced manufacturing processes.

For biological imaging, we co-developed HiP-CT in collaboration with the European Synchrotron (ESRF). This breakthrough technique enables resolving soft-tissue structures down to near cellular resolution in intact human organs. This allows researchers to see things such as human organs in unprecedented detail, meaning a deeper understanding of how organs work at a cellular level. This data can lead to improved diagnostics and medicines.

Our materials research leverages multi-modal synchrotron X-ray imaging to investigate additive manufacturing (3D printing) processes in real time. By visualizing the internal dynamics of high-power laser welding, additive manufacturing and material formation, we uncover insights that drive the development of more efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective manufacturing technologies.

People (Academic and Co-directors)

Professor Peter Lee
Professor of Materials Science, RAEng Chair in Emerging Technologies, Co-Director of MXI Lab

Dr Chu Lun Alex Leung
Associate Professor in Advanced Manufacturing, RAEng/IPG Photonics Senior Research Fellow, Co-Director of MXI Lab

Dr Claire Walsh
Principal Research Fellow, Director of the Human Organ Atlas Hub, Co-Director of MXI Lab

Funding and Partnerships

We are actively working with over 80 collaborators worldwide, from both academic and industrial settings.  

We are supported by a variety of funders including UK Research and Innovation (e.g. EPSRC, MRC, BBSRC, Innovate UK), Royal Academy of Engineering, the European Commission, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Wellcome Trust, National Institute of Health, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research and industry (e.g. Parker Meggitt, IPG Photonics Inc, Rolls-Royce plc, Ford Motor Company, Renishaw plc, the European Space Agency and Carpenter Additive).

Publication highlights

Fan, X., Fleming, T. G., Clark, S. J., Fezzaa, K., Getley, A. C., Marussi, S., Wang, H., Leung, C. L. A., … & Lee, P. D. (2025). Magnetic modulation of keyhole instability during laser welding and additive manufacturing. Science, 387(6736), 864-869.

Brunet, J., Cook, A. C., Walsh, C. L., Cranley, J., Tafforeau, P., Engel, K., … & Lee, P. D. (2024). Multidimensional analysis of the adult human heart in health and disease using hierarchical phase-contrast tomography. Radiology, 312(1), e232731.

Guo, D., Lambert-Garcia, R., Hocine, S., Fan, X., Greenhalgh, H., Shahani, R., … & Lee, P. D., Leung, C. L. A. (2024). Correlative spatter and vapour depression dynamics during laser powder bed fusion of an Al-Fe-Zr alloy. International Journal of Extreme Manufacturing, 6(5), 055601.

Zhang, K., Chen, Y., Marussi, S., Fan, X., Fitzpatrick, M., Bhagavath, S., … & Leung, C. L. A., Lee, P. D. (2024). Pore evolution mechanisms during directed energy deposition additive manufacturing. Nature communications, 15(1), 1715.

Brunet, J., Walsh, C. L., Wagner, W. L., Bellier, A., Werlein, C., Marussi, S., … & Tafforeau, P. (2023). Preparation of large biological samples for high-resolution, hierarchical, synchrotron phase-contrast tomography with multimodal imaging compatibility. Nature protocols, 18(5), 1441-1461.

Walsh, C. L., Tafforeau, P., Wagner, W. L., Jafree, D. J., Bellier, A., Werlein, C., … & Lee, P. D. (2021). Imaging intact human organs with local resolution of cellular structures using hierarchical phase-contrast tomography. Nature methods, 18(12), 1532-1541.

Work with Us

We are a large lab and regularly have openings for Post Doctoral Research Fellows and PhD studentship. Please use the links below to view our current opportunities:

• Research Fellows
• PhD Studentships at UCL Mechanical Engineering

Our Locations

MXI Lab operates across three sites: UCL Department of Mechanical Engineering, Research Complex at Harwell (RCaH), and the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF).