Search

In this paper, we have studied an additively manufactured metallic component, intended for ultra-high vacuum application, the exit-snout of the MACHINA transportable proton accelerator beam-line. Metal additive manufacturing components can exhibit heterogeneous and anisotropic microstructures. Two non-destructive imaging techniques, X-ray computed tomography and Neutron Tomography, were employed to examine its microstructure. They unveiled the presence of porosity and channels, the size and composition of grains and intergranular precipitates, and the general behavior of the spatial distribution of the solidification lines. While X-ray computed tomography evidenced qualitative details about the surface roughness and internal defects, neutron tomography showed excellent ability in imaging the spatial density distribution within the component. The anisotropy of the density was attributed to the material building orientation during the 3D printing process. Density variations suggest the possibility of defect pathways, which could affect high vacuum performances. In addition, these results highlight the importance of considering building orientation in the design for additive manufacturing for UHV applications. Graphical Abstract

In recent years, research and technology made considerable progress in increasing the speed and the safety of the entire digitization process of ancient collections. Despite this, imaging ancient, fragile or un-opened documents remains a formidable challenge. We employ an alternate digitization technique for handwritten documents, exploiting x-ray tomography: Virtual X-ray Reading. Thanks to the high penetration of x-rays, we can acquire 3-dimensional (3D) tomographic images of a multi-page document without opening it. The x-ray contrast necessary for the readability is produced by the chemical composition and the consequent strong x-ray absorption of the iron gall inks - largely used for European handwritten documents. We present the development of this technology, from the chemical investigations of the inks to the tomography of an unopened Venetian testament and of an 18th century, 200-page, handwritten book.

We present the results of the broad scientific investigation campaign of an important Celestial globe by Vincenzo Coronelli, part of the Marciana National Library collection (Venice). Coronelli was one of the finest globe-makers and cartographers of the 17th century and he manufactured a large number of Terrestrial and Celestial globes of different sizes, such as the two impressive and entirely manuscript 4-meter globes commissioned for Louis XIV. Using multiple techniques, we studied the materials and the construction techniques of the first printed reproduction of the French Celestial globe, donated to the Serenissima Republic in 1689 and still in Venice. We present and discuss the results of the multispectral imaging analysis, of the chemical investigations X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), Scanning electron microscopy - Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (SEM-EDS) and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and of the stratigraphic analysis by polarised-light microscopy. Moreover, we explain in detail the results of the X-ray tomographic analysis performed in situ. Thanks to this comprehensive campaign, we examined the production process of this unique globe, from the pigment to the woodworking approach of the Master globe-maker Coronelli.

The diagnostic investigations are an important resource in the studies on Cultural Heritage to enhance the knowledge on execution techniques, materials and conservation status of a work of art. In this field, due to the great historical and artistic value of the objects, preservation is the main concern; for this reason, new technological equipment has been designed and developed in the Physics Departments of the Universities of Ferrara and Bologna to enhance the non-invasive approach to the study of pictorial artworks and other objects of cultural interest. Infrared (IR) reflectography, X-ray radiography and computed tomography (CT), applied to works of art, are joined by the same goal: to get hidden information on execution techniques and inner structure pursuing the non-invasiveness of the methods, although using different setup and physical principles. In this work transportable imaging systems to investigate large objects in museums and galleries are presented. In particular, 2D scanning devices for IR reflectography and X-ray radiography, CT systems and some applications to the Cultural Heritage are described.