The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Xinray Systems LLC

Siemens Healthcare Gmbh

Xintek, Inc.

Nuray Technology Co., Ltd

Yuan Cheng

Otto Z Zhou

Jianping Lu

Jian Zhang

Yueh Zenas Lee

Frank Sprenger

Moritz Beckmann

Qi Qiu

Weili Lin

Houman Jafari

Walter Beyerlein

Jens Fürst

Soojin Oh

Markus Hemmerlein

Guang Yang

Jürgen Oelschlegel

Andreas Böhme

Hideo Shimoda

Derrek Spronk

George Zarur

An electron source includes a plurality of electron emission cathodes and at least one control electrode. A gate current regulator is provided for regulation of current flowing through the at least one control electrode.

Electron source

The present subject matter relates to inspection systems, devices and methods for x-ray inspection of objects. A conveyor can move an object to be inspected through an inspection zone along a direction of travel, one or more multibeam x-ray source arrays can provide multiple collimated x-ray beams through the inspection zone along a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel, and one or more x-ray detector arrays can detect x-ray beams passing through the inspection zone from the x-ray source array. X-ray signals detected by the x-ray detector array can be recorded to form multiple x-ray projection images of the object, and the multiple x-ray projection images can be processed into three-dimensional tomographic images of the object.

High speed, small footprint x-ray tomography inspection systems, devices, and methods

Multibeam field emission x-ray systems and related methods can include cathode elements, an anode assembly spaced from the plurality of cathode elements, and an extraction gate positioned between the plurality of cathode elements and the anode assembly. A potential difference can be applied between the extraction gate and at least one of the cathode elements to cause an emission of electrons from the respective cathode elements. Emission characteristics of the cathode elements can be measured, and the potential difference between the extraction gate and at least one of the cathode elements can be adjusted based on the emission characteristics measured.

Multibeam x-ray source with intelligent electronic control systems and related methods

Methods, systems, and computer program products for multiplexing computed tomography are disclosed. According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein can include illuminating an object with a plurality of x-ray beams from a plurality of viewing angles, wherein each x-ray beam has a distinct waveform; detecting the x-ray intensities of the plurality of pulsed x-ray beams as a function of time, and extracting individual projection image data from the detected x-ray intensities based on the distinct waveforms of the x-ray beams for combining the projection image data to generate three-dimensional tomographic image data of the object.

Methods, systems, and computer program products for multiplexing computed tomography

Computed tomography scanning systems and methods using a field emission x-ray source are disclosed. An exemplary micro-computed tomography scanner comprises a micro-focus field emission x-ray source, an x-ray detector, an object stage placed between the x-ray source and the detector, an electronic control system and a computer that control the x-ray radiation and detector data collection, and computer software that reconstructs the three dimension image of the object using a series of projection images collected from different projection angles. Exemplary methods obtain a computed tomography image of an object in oscillatory motion using the micro computed tomography scanner.

Computed tomography scanning system and method using a field emission x-ray source

An x-ray generating device includes a field emission cathode formed at least partially from a nanostructure-containing material having an emitted electron current density of at least 4 A/cm. High energy conversion efficiency and compact design are achieved due to easy focusing of cold cathode emitted electrons and dramatic reduction of heating at the anode. In addition, by pulsing the field between the cathode and the gate or anode and focusing the electron beams at different anode materials, pulsed x-ray radiation with varying energy can be generated from a single device. Methods and apparatus for independent control of electron emission current and x-ray energy in x-ray tubes are also provided. The independent control can be accomplished by adjusting the distance between the cathode and anode. The independent control can also be accomplished by adjusting the temperature of the cathode. The independent control can also be accomplished by optical excitation of the cathode. The cathode can include field emissive materials such as carbon nanotubes.

Method and apparatus for controlling electron beam current

Computed tomography device comprising an x-ray source and an x-ray detecting unit. The x-ray source comprises a cathode with a plurality of individually programmable electron emitting units that each emit an electron upon an application of an electric field, an anode target that emits an x-ray upon impact by the emitted electron, and a collimator. Each electron emitting unit includes an electron field emitting material. The electron field emitting material includes a nanostructured material or a plurality of nanotubes or a plurality of nanowires. Computed tomography methods are also provided.

Computed tomography system for imaging of human and small animal

Methods and apparatus are described for patterned deposition of nanostructure-containing materials by self-assembly and related articles. According to an exemplary embodiment self-assembly method for depositing nanostructure-containing materials includes forming a nanostructure-containing material. The nanostructure-containing material is chemically functionalized and dispersed in a liquid medium to form a suspension. At least a portion of a substrate having a surface that can attract the functionalized nanostructure-containing material is brought into contact with the suspension. The substrate is separated from the suspension. The nanostructure-containing material adheres to the portion of the substrate when separated from the suspension. According to another exemplary embodiment, hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions are formed on the surface of the substrate before bringing the substrate into contact with the suspension. The functionalized nanostructure-containing material is hydrophilic and adheres to the hydrophilic region of the substrate when separated from the suspension.

Methods and apparatus for patterned deposition of nanostructure-containing materials by self-assembly and related articles

Growing community of inventors

Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America

Yuan Cheng