In a collaboration between the Department of Agroecology, the Department of Clinical Medicine, and the Department of Forensic Medicine, Aarhus University has acquired a state-of-the-art microCT scanner. Weighing a total of 6.5 tons, the scanner was officially inaugurated at an event on September 12 at Skejby Hospital and marks a significant advancement for interdisciplinary research in Denmark.

Technology that reveals the invisible

The microCT scanner uses X-ray technology to create detailed 3D images of various materials, ranging from soil samples to biological tissues. According to Lars Juhl Munkholm, professor at the Department of Agroecology, the scanner offers groundbreaking possibilities in agricultural research: “We can now examine soil structure at a very high resolution, enabling us to study water and gas transport, soil compaction, and root development in a whole new way.”

Photo: CT-Scanning of a soil sample created with the new MicroCT-scanner. 

A versatile scanner for various purposes

The scanner can handle large objects with a diameter of up to 60 cm and a height of 1 meter. This versatility has already attracted interest from both Danish and international researchers. Objects that have been scanned range from a minke whale fetus to fossils, forensic tissue samples, and soil samples from Danish agricultural land. Additionally, the scanner is used to develop new scanning techniques for forensic investigations, such as in cases of suspected violence.

Funding for the scanner has primarily come from the Carlsberg Foundation, with additional support from Aarhus University’s collaborating departments.

An important tool for the green transition

For the Department of Agroecology, the scanner will enable new insights into how soil structure affects greenhouse gas emissions, nutrient loss, and biodiversity, as well as how roots interact with the surrounding soil and vice versa. These insights will be crucial in addressing future agricultural challenges such as climate change and sustainability.

“We are particularly interested in mapping soil organic matter and understanding the mechanisms behind its decomposition, which can improve soil health and crop production,” adds Lars J. Munkholm.

With such a versatile research tool at hand, Aarhus University is now poised to become a leader in several key scientific disciplines. Whether it’s scanning soil samples or forensic evidence, the new microCT scanner will have a significant impact on research at Aarhus University.

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