High-throughput microCT scanning of small specimens: preparation, packing, parameters and post-processing

Area of Science:

• Paleontology
• Museum Science
• Imaging Technology

Background:

• High-resolution X-ray microcomputed tomography (microCT) allows 3D digital imaging of objects.
• microCT is valuable for studying museum collections due to its ability to visualize internal features non-destructively.
• Current microCT studies are limited by the digitization challenges of numerous specimens.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a high-throughput method for scanning hundreds of small museum specimens in a single container.
• To optimize microCT scanning by exploring packing materials and specimen arrangements to minimize movement and image degradation.
• To demonstrate the protocol's application on vertebrate fossils for tracking climate change impacts.

Main Methods:

• Scanning hundreds of small specimens (<2 cm) together in a single container.
• Investigating packing materials and multiple specimens per capsule to ensure image quality.
• Applying the protocol to vertebrate fossils from the Queensland Museum.

Main Results:

• A protocol for high-throughput microCT scanning of numerous small specimens was developed.
• Methods to minimize specimen movement and maintain image quality were explored and validated.
• The protocol was successfully applied to vertebrate fossils for evolutionary and climate change research.

Conclusions:

• The developed high-throughput microCT method significantly increases the efficiency of digitizing museum collections.
• This approach facilitates large-scale comparative analyses of phenotypic data, adding value to global collections.
• The system is adaptable for various wet and dry materials, broadening access to microCT data for diverse scientific disciplines.