"The pursuit of knowledge requires accepting that there will always be more to learn."
(Scroll to the bottom for the answer.)
These words feel especially fitting this time of year, as many students graduate and take their next step into school, training, or a new career. Graduation may mark the end of one chapter, but it also begins a new phase of learning.
That same mindset applies to CT. Every scan has something to teach us, whether it is a better way to prepare a sample, choose scan settings, interpret results, or connect structure to performance. The more we learn, the more clearly we see how much more there is to understand.
In this newsletter, we recap our recent webinar on multi-scale CT imaging, share some networking strategies, and talk about some CT myths.
If you have topics you would like us to cover in future webinars or newsletters, I’d love to hear from you.
- Angela
"The pursuit of knowledge requires accepting that there will always be more to learn."
(Scroll to the bottom for the answer.)
These words feel especially fitting this time of year, as many students graduate and take their next step into school, training, or a new career. Graduation may mark the end of one chapter, but it also begins a new phase of learning.
That same mindset applies to CT. Every scan has something to teach us, whether it is a better way to prepare a sample, choose scan settings, interpret results, or connect structure to performance. The more we learn, the more clearly we see how much more there is to understand.
In this newsletter, we recap our recent webinar on multi-scale CT imaging, share some networking strategies, and talk about some CT myths.
If you have topics you would like us to cover in future webinars or newsletters, I’d love to hear from you.
- Angela
In case you missed it...
Trying to connect what you see at one scale with what actually drives performance in your material? Ted’s recent webinar explores how X-ray CT can help bridge that gap by combining different CT approaches to reveal both larger structures and fine internal details.
Using real examples, from tiny defects to full assemblies, the session shows how multiscale CT data can support better evaluation, verification, and refinement of materials. Ted also covers practical considerations for applying these methods, including system selection, sample preparation, and common issues to watch for.
Missed the live session? You can still watch the recording. Visit the webinar page for more information.
Beyond the Agenda: Getting More from Technical Meetings
Summer conference season is a great time to connect with other CT users, exchange ideas, and learn how different groups are tackling similar imaging challenges. Whether you work in research, manufacturing, or quality control, some of the most useful insights often come from informal conversations between sessions.
A few simple strategies can make networking feel more natural:
Start with the sample or challenge. Ask what someone is working on or what imaging problem they are trying to solve. Technical conversations often flow more easily from real-world challenges than from job titles.
Spend time at poster sessions. Graduate students and post-docs are often close to the experimental details and can offer practical insight into what worked, what didn’t, and what they would try next.
Bring one or two questions. A simple question about scan setup, reconstruction choices, artifacts, or sample preparation can open the door to a deeper conversation.
Follow up while the conversation is fresh. A short email or LinkedIn message referencing what you discussed can turn a quick exchange into a lasting connection.
Look beyond your exact application area. Useful CT ideas often transfer across fields, from batteries and additive manufacturing to pharmaceuticals, electronics, and life science imaging.
For more guidance, Networking for Nerds by Alaina G. Levine is a helpful resource that frames scientific networking as relationship-building rather than self-promotion. The PLOS Computational Biology article “Ten Simple Rules for Attending Your First Conference” is another practical read, especially for students and early-career researchers.
Some of the best CT workflows start as conversations over coffee between sessions.
To be efficient, inspired, and informed.
Let’s Dive Into Some CT Myths
CT Reality: It’s one of the most common assumptions in CT, but higher resolution does not automatically produce better insight. Chasing the smallest voxel size can increase noise, extend scan times, and amplify artifacts without improving the visibility of the features that actually matter. The best scan is usually the one optimized for the application, not simply the highest resolution possible.
CT Myth: More projections always improve reconstruction quality.
CT Reality: After a certain point, additional projections may only increase scan time and reconstruction size while providing marginal improvement. The optimal number depends on sample complexity, geometry, and the required resolution.
CT Myth: Noise is always bad.
CT Reality: Some noise is unavoidable. The goal is not perfectly smooth data, but reliable contrast and feature visibility without over-filtering important structures.
Real Scientists, Not Actors
A collection of priceless and embarrassing moments curated by Sam Robles.
Dorothy Mary Crowfoot Hodgkin (1910–1994) was a British chemist and pioneer in X-ray crystallography whose work transformed the understanding of complex biological molecules. Using crystallographic techniques, she determined the structures of several important compounds, including penicillin, vitamin B12, and insulin, helping establish the foundation for modern structural biology and pharmaceutical science. Hodgkin was awarded the 1964 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for her work on the structures of biologically important substances. She currently remains the only British woman scientist to have received a Nobel Prize in a scientific field.
"The pursuit of knowledge requires accepting that there will always be more to learn ."
That's a wrap. Please let us know how we can help you learn more about X-ray CT. We love to hear from you!
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