Tomographic Imaging Fusion for Material Composition Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging technologies in non-destructive testing, such as X-ray and radar tomography, face limitations in accurately determining material composition and structure due to artefacts, distortions, and insufficient information from single modality approaches, which can lead to suboptimal image quality and increased exposure times.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that combine X-ray and radar tomography data to generate improved images by using complementary information from both modalities, where raw data from X-ray tomography provides information on density and absorption, and radar tomography provides information on permittivity, allowing for iterative reconstruction and reduced exposure times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If X-ray tomography is used to generate images, then material composition determination is based on absorption capacity, but the absorption capacity depends on both material and X-ray spectrum making precise material specification difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines X-ray tomography and radar tomography to create a fused image that integrates absorption capacity information from X-ray with permittivity information from radar, enabling precise material specification that neither modality can achieve alone
2Measurement precision
If radar tomography is used to generate images, then permittivity distribution is obtained, but artefacts and distortions occur due to diffraction or refraction of microwaves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses X-ray tomography data as an intermediary to correct artefacts in radar images. The X-ray image serves as a reference model that helps identify and correct diffraction and refraction distortions in the radar-based permittivity distribution
3Device complexity
If single modality tomography is used, then image reconstruction is simpler, but image quality is suboptimal and exposure time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the approach by using multiple imaging modalities with different physical parameters (X-ray absorption, radar permittivity) to reconstruct images. This multi-parameter approach improves image quality and reduces exposure time while maintaining manageable reconstruction complexity through iterative optimization
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach results in higher-quality images with reduced artefacts and lower exposure times, enabling better material and structural analysis by integrating information from different observation technologies, thus overcoming the limitations of single-modality imaging.
Implementation Method 1
determination of material composition is based on different absorption capacities of different materials
Implementation Method 2
radar tomography to generate images comprising a permittivity distribution according to different materials being observed
Implementation Method 3
radar based images often comprise artefacts or distortions e.g. due to inevitable diffraction or refraction of microwaves
Implementation Method 4
radar based images often comprise artefacts or distortions e.g. due to inevitable diffraction or refraction of microwaves
Data Source
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AI summary
An embodiment of an apparatus 100 for generating an image 101 of an observed object, wherein the apparatus 100 is configured to receive first raw data 102 generated observing the object using a first observation technology 104 based on tomographic methods. The apparatus 100 is further configured to receive second raw data 103 generated observing the object using a second observation technology 105 based on tomographic methods differing from the first observation technology 104. Further, the apparatus 100 is configured to generate the image 101 using first raw data 102 and second raw data 103.