What is "nanotomography"

n. (context physics chemistry English) The nanoscale tomography of a material (especially of a nanoparticle), especially by the use of scanning electron techniques

Nanotomography, much like its related modalities tomography and microtomography, uses x-rays to create cross-sections from a 3D-object that later can be used to recreate a virtual model without destroying the original model, applying Nondestructive testing. The term nano is used to indicate that the pixel sizes of the cross-sections are in the nanometer range

Although a lot of research is done to create nano-CT scanners, currently there are only a few available commercially. The SkyScan-2011 1 has a range of about 150 to 250 nanometers per pixel with a resolution of 400 nm and a field of view (FOV) of 200 micrometers. The Xradia nanoXCT 2 has a spatial resolution of better than 50 nm and a FOV of 16 micrometers.

At the Ghent University, the UGCT team developed a nano-CT scanner based on commercially available components. The UGCT facility is an open nano-CT facility giving access to scientists from universities, institutes and industry. More information can be found at UGCT-website.