Source: Peiman Shahbeigi-Roodposhti and Sina Shahbazmohamadi, Biomedical Engineering Department, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut

It's a little-known fact that the discovery and (inadvertent) use of X-rays garnered the first ever Nobel Prize in Physics. The famous X-ray image of Dr. Röntgen's wife's hand from 1895 that sent shock waves through the scientific community looks like most modern day 2D medical X-ray images. Though it is not the newest technology, X-ray absorption imaging is an indispensable tool and can be found in the world's top R&D and university labs, hospitals, airports, among other places. Arguably the most advanced uses of X-ray absorption imaging involve attaining information like the kind found in a 2D medical X-ray but realized in 3D through a computed tomography (CT or micro-CT). By taking a series of 2D X-ray projections, advanced software is capable of reconstructing data to form a 3D volume. The 3D information can, and most likely will include information from the inside of the probed object without having to be cut open. Here, a micro-CT scan will be obtained, and the major factors impacting image quality will be discussed.