NRL Scientists Develop Enhanced 3-D Technique for Materials Analysis
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Scientists at the Naval Research
Laboratory (NRL), in collaboration with scientists at the University
of Virginia, have developed an experimental technique that combines
serial sectioning and computer-aided reconstruction for the
analysis of the internal microscopic structure or
of materials. Using this method of materials characterization
opens a new avenue for visualizing the true three-dimensional
nature of microstructures, which is critical to the entire materials
field, according to Dr. George Spanos of NRL's Materials Science
and Technology Division (MSTD).
The serial sectioning technique consists of incremental polishing through a thin layer (0.2 µm) of material, chemically etching the polished surface, applying reference marks, and performing optical or scanning electron microscopy on selected areas, Dr. Spanos explains. After computer-aided registry to properly align the micrographs from each section, the series of images are viewed as both video sequences that "step through" the material slice-by-slice, and as three dimensional reconstructions using advanced computer visualization techniques.
Scientists in the materials field
have typically used conventional optical and electron microscopy
to characterize microstructures. However, these techniques usually
provide only single two-dimensional views of materials. Researchers
thirty years ago realized that three-dimensional information
would be very helpful in their understanding of materials. However,
at that time, the computer technology to make this type of analysis
worthwhile was not readily available. It is the advances in computer
technology, according to Dr. Spanos, that have enabled scientists
today to develop this enhanced three-dimensional analysis technique.
The team of scientists working on this project, headed by Dr.
Spanos, includes Drs. Milo Kral and Peter Moore both of MSTD
and Mr. Charles Williams of NRL's Visualization Laboratory.
This new three-dimensional reconstruction technique is an important tool that allows scientists to have a better understanding of microstructural development, and in turn improves their control of the mechanical and physical properties of advanced materials used in the Fleet.
About the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory
The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory provides the advanced scientific capabilities required to bolster our country's position of global naval leadership. The Laboratory, with a total complement of approximately 2,500 personnel, is located in southwest Washington, D.C., with other major sites at the Stennis Space Center, Miss., and Monterey, Calif. NRL has served the Navy and the nation for over 90 years and continues to advance research further than you can imagine. For more information, visit the NRL website or join the conversation on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.
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