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Laser Ablation Tomography (LAT™) is a tomography technology that combines laser ablation and fluorescence microscopy to produce cross sectional images and three-dimensional models. The method is used in numerous scientific fields, namely biology, geology, and materials science.

LAT™ scans produce cross-sectional images of samples that can be manipulated to generate 3D renderings, which can be processed to determine structural parameters of interest.

Process
The LAT™ process uses a high peak-power laser to repeatedly vaporize a thin surface layer of a sample. The emitted light is routed through an optical system for filtering and imaging. The data is processed and reconstructed into a high-resolution model that can be viewed, manipulated, or virtually dissected. Depending on the aspects in which a client is interested, 3D processing algorithms are used to extract and quantify relevant data associated with these features. With resolution as fine as 800 nanometers at 18 million voxels per slice, Laser Ablation Tomography can provide excellent level of detail while simultaneously capturing the larger context.

Avizo, a visualization and analysis software,

Biology
LAT™ technology can provide key insight into important contemporary scientific and engineering applications, such as designing bio-inspired materials, next generation crops, or studying pathogens. By acquiring data at an unprecedented rate with virtually no sample preparation requirements, LAT™ can characterize specimens in minutes rather than hours or days, facilitating more rapid scientific discovery. Additionally, the combined fluorescent and hyperspectral imaging enables queries into composition as well as structure.


 * High Throughput Phenotyping:Phenotyping of biological specimens is becoming increasingly important throughout the agricultural industry. Optimization of crops is a multi-billion dollar industry.  However, there is a bottleneck in phenotyping due to an inability to rapidly acquire and analyze structural parameters of interest.


 * LAT™ technology stands as the only tool capable of high-speed 3D analysis that is well suited for high-throughput phenotyping, delivering cellular resolution and precise compositional and structural quantification.


 * Penn State researchers are utilizing LAT™ technology to simultaneously improve the quality of data and accelerate discovery of genetic traits associated with fitness in high-stress environments.

Geology

 * Natural Resource Exploration


 * LAT™ can characterize samples for natural resource exploration. With fluorescent imaging, material composition, porosity, permeability, and microstructure can be differentiated easily.


 * Determining total organic content, thermal maturity, and mineralogy are possible applications of LAT™. With the desire to characterize these properties on-site and with the ability to determine organic content in drill cuttings, LAT™ Scans provide near real-time date for fracking operations.

Material Analysis
Aided by recent advancements in design technology and 3D printing, scientists are designing next-generation materials for new high-tech applications in virtually all industries. Fabricating these complex three dimensional structures is now possible, facilitating the creation of materials with exotic properties. Understanding the nature of these structures is critically important to research and development efforts, underscoring the need for rapid, robust feedback.

LAT™ presents a novel approach to quickly gather and model complex structural data. Whether for additive manufacturing or improving design, LAT™ can provide comprehensive datasets on demand.

Advantages
Speed, etc.