Discover the DMEX Centre for X-ray Imaging at UPPA
Within the University of Pau and the Adour Region (UPPA), the DMEX Centre for X-ray Imaging ISO 9001-certified facility acts as a multidisciplinary user haven, attracting researchers and industry professionals from around the globe. With a suite of advanced X-ray tomographs, DMEX offers non-destructive, high-resolution imaging, making it an indispensable resource for the Earth and Environmental science community.
Pioneering In Operando Testing
Beyond ambient condition testing, DMEX excels in operando studies, offering a unique edge in examining materials under real-world conditions. Researchers can assess phenomena such as the microstructural impact of cyclic loading on battery electrodes or the growth dynamics of biofilms in reservoir rocks under representative pressure and temperature conditions. Beginning in November 2023, the facility has enhanced its capabilities with the world’s first commercial gantry-based micro-CT system. This new addition will broaden the range of study objects to include emulsions, foams, and other non-consolidated samples, further advancing in operando research.
Real-World Applications and Collaborations
The DMEX Centre is at the forefront of addressing global challenges, particularly in climate change mitigation and energy transition technologies. Collaborations with industry focus on carbon sequestration in the North Sea, while other partnerships investigate the safety of underground biogas storage. The centre also supports innovative start-ups such as Scale Vision, which aims to transform waste products from the fishing industry into sustainable building materials.
State-of-the-Art Imaging Capabilities
The DMEX Centre hosts three cutting-edge X-ray tomographs, each tailored to cover a wide spectrum of spatial resolutions—from as fine as 450 nanometers to as broad as 450 micrometers. This versatility allows for the examination of an array of sample sizes, from sub-millimeter specimens to those measuring up to a meter. The facility’s advanced imaging techniques include adsorption contrast, phase contrast, and hyperspectral imaging, with acquisition speeds reaching up to one tomogram in just 10 seconds.
Curious to learn more?
Interested in gaining access to the EXCITE2 facilities? Please enter your email address and be one of the first to be informed when we open the first EXCITE2 call for proposals. Other questions? Contact us here.
