Correlative X-ray and Electron Tomography Workflow Enables Multi-Scale Analysis of Complex Particle Systems
In a recent collaborative study, researchers from the Institute of Micro- and Nanostructure Research (IMN) and their partners have developed and implemented a comprehensive correlative tomography workflow to investigate complex, hierarchical particulate materials. The study combines 360° electron tomography (ET), nano-computed X-ray tomography (nanoCT), and micro-computed X-ray tomography (microCT) with a versatile sample preparation strategy to analyze particle size, morphology, and pore architecture across multiple length scales.
A key innovation of the workflow lies in the use of custom-fabricated, tapered samples created via mechanical grinding and polishing. This tailored geometry enables seamless imaging across techniques: high-resolution nanoCT scans capture fine details of individual particles, while large-scale microCT scans deliver statistically significant insights across thousands of particles. Crucially, the design supports correlative imaging at identical sample locations without further preparation steps that could compromise structural integrity between scans.
By aligning data from different imaging modalities and scales, the approach enhances the accuracy and depth of quantitative analysis. Advanced tools such as machine learning-assisted segmentation, precise image registration, and multimodal data integration are central to extracting meaningful structure-property correlations in functional materials. The work highlights the critical role of cross-scale, 3D correlative microscopy in understanding and optimizing complex particle systems.
This interdisciplinary effort was supported by CRC 1411 and 4D+nanoSCOPE, and brought together expertise from multiple institutions:
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Fraunhofer IKTS (Prof. Silke Christiansen): microCT imaging and analysis
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Center for AI and Data Science, JMU Würzburg (Prof. Katharina Breininger) and Lucid Concepts AG, Zürich: AI-assisted segmentation and 3D data analysis
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Institute of Particle Technology, FAU (Prof. Nicolas Vogel): particle synthesis
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Institute for General Materials Properties, FAU (Prof. Peter Felfer): 3D interface analysis
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Institute of Separation Science and Technology, FAU (Prof. Matthias Thommes): textural characterization
The results of this study have been published in Tomography of Materials and Structures:
A. Götz, F. Lutter, D.S. Possart, D. Augsburger, U. Arslan, S. Pechmann, C. Rubach, M. Buwen, U. Sultan, A. Kichigin, J. Böhmer, N. Vorlaufer, P. Suter, T. Hildebrand, M. Thommes, P. Felfer, N. Vogel, K. Breininger, S. Christiansen, B. Apeleo Zubiri, E. Spiecker, Correlative X-ray and electron tomography for scale-bridging, quantitative analysis of complex, hierarchical particle systems, Tomography of Materials and Structures, 2025, 100069, in press. DOI: 10.1016/j.tmater.2025.100069