Figure 1: Images of a Chukar Partridge and a Pheasant 1,2 With nearly 11,000 species of living birds comprising a vast spectrum of shapes, colors, and sizes, there are immense challenges to fully quantify and analyze avian phenotypic disparity. From a functional perspective, there are several weight-saving adaptations that are reflected in …
Micro-CT’s non-destructive, high resolution 3D imaging makes it one of the most important tools for morphological avian research as well as biomimetic studies. One area of research focuses on understanding evolutionary change, in particular in studies of that most ecologically adaptable avian feature, the beak. Other research is directed towards the immense …
Figure 1: 3D Printed Support Structures After Mechanical Load Testing As an accessory to the SkyScan instrumentation suite, Bruker offers several interesting accessories that can further support your research goals. In addition to accessory stages for cooling or heating of thermally conductive samples, Bruker has a range of mechanical testing stages for compression or tension testing of …
Syllis gracilis (a species of marine bioluminescent polychaete worms): false-colour volume rendering of virtually dissected proventricle. The length of the proventricle and the number of its muscle rows are important diagnostic systematic characters in the family. The strong muscle fibres of the proventricle are very visible, and through virtual dissection their three-dimensional …
Figure 1: Micro-CT volumetric rendering of a triggerfish imaged using the SkyScan 1273 To best match the wide range of sample sizes encountered in cataloging natural specimens, the SkyScan 1273 was used for this work to examine a small triggerfish as part of a larger subset of samples. The SkyScan 1273 accommodates …
Figure 1: Micro-CT volumetric rendering of a strawberry seed imaged As we move into the height of summer, the season’s new crops begin to blossom, including a popular summer treat–the strawberry. Often known for its tart flavor and bright red hues, we often overlook all the little seeds present on the surface of …
Microcomputer tomography (microCT) as a tool in Pinus tree breeding: pilot studies Pinus breeding programs yield high numbers of seeds, but a non-destructive method to determine seed viability was needed. The Pinus species has a long reproductive cycle — up to 28 months — so determining when fertilization occurs is helpful when …
Picture composition of volume rendering reconstructions of honey bee workers in their daily activities: foraging and sipping nectar on a daisy flower (Aster sp.). To point out the internal structures the insect and the flower have been “virtually” cut by using the free Skyscan’s software CTVox. Colors were obtained varying the color …
Figure 1: Volumetric rendering of a chemically dried cicada imaged using the SkyScan 1275 The Importance of Sample Preparation With a large emergence of the local cicada population along the East coast predicted this year, we decided to re-visit a past specimen and once again examine a cicada with our image of the …
Structure of cuttlefish bone in 3D, field of view here is roughly 0.5 mm. This structure is extremely lightweight while maintaining good strength and structural integrity despite the pressures exerted on it during deep dives of the cuttlefish. “Looking deep into nature: A review of micro-computed tomography in biomimicry, CT Scanner Facility, Stellenbosch …