Mission

Mission
     The Washington State High-Resolution X-Ray Computed Tomography Laboratory (WAX-CT) at Washington State University promotes the advanced characterization simulation and design of solids including, metals, ceramics, geological and biomaterials. The WAX-CT actively collaborates on research and teaching with local as well as international academic institutions and industries. The WAX-CT also promotes scientists, faculty and student exchanges.

Research

The major thrust of the research activities at the WAX-CT is the characterization and modeling of microstructures and defects in solids and structures. The three dimensional topology of defects (such as cracks and voids) and microstructures (such as grains and particles) in crystalline and geological materials can be constructed via computed tomography and understood in terms of material  fundamentals and characteristics. Current studies include development of improved advanced theoretical models for the prediction of deformation, fatigue, strain localization, liquefaction and fracture processes in materials. Current research activities include :

• Damage Detection and Life Analysis of Composites

• Damage Detection in Rapidly Solidified Materials

• Bifurcation and Instabilities in Geomaterials

• Powder Metallurgy and Materials Fabrication for Petroleum Industry

• Modeling Grain Shape Anisotropy in Multi-Phase Alloys

• Evaluations of Remodeling of Canellous born and evaluation and design of blended polymer

• Granular Dilatancy

• Modeling of Grain Boundaries in Crystalline Material

• Deformation and Damage in irradiated Materials

• Localization and damage in metals under cyclic fatigue

Education

        The WAX-CT promotes distant learning and active research through the uses the internet for meetings and for carrying out "long distance" real time experiments in which researchers conduct the experiments, collect and process data from their own computer terminals.

Service

• Scanning of specimens

• Analysis of microstructure features

• On site training and Supervision of personnel

• Conducting of short courses on non-destructive evaluation

• Hand on use by trainees

Clients

      Researchers and practitioners from local as well as international academic institutions, industries, and government agencies