Scientists at Manchester University have developed a camera that can be used to take 3D colour X-ray images, in near real time, without the need for a synchrotron X-ray source. It is claimed that the X-ray system, developed by Prof Robert Cernik and colleagues from the university’s School of Materials, can identify chemicals and compounds such as cocaine, semtex, precious metals or radioactive materials, even when concealed in large objects. The method could also be extended to detect strain in fabricated components such as aircraft wings and it can be used to image corrosion processes and chemical changes.
