Laser Ablation Tomography (LATscan)
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Document Type
Oral Presentation
Department
Engineering
Faculty Mentor
Asheesh Lanba, PhD
Keywords
laser ablation, LATscan, 3D structural analysis, agriculture
Abstract
Laser ablation tomography (LATscan) is a new 3D structural analysis technique that provides researchers with data they did not have access to before. LATscan is a faster, higher resolution, material agnostic method that promises to fundamentally improve specimen analysis from medical research to agrochemical research. The technology uses an ultraviolet (UV) pulsed laser is used to continually ablate thin layers of samples while simultaneously imaging them. These images perfectly capture the cross-sections in their natural state prior to ablation. The color resulting from UV-induced fluorescence in the images allows for easy image segmentation to identify microscale anatomical and compositional features, and thus samples do not need staining. The images are then stacked to produce 3D models for volumetric microanalysis. The image resolution of the sections is comparable to optical microscopy modalities, and the distance between slices is only limited by the resolution of the stage feeding the sample into the laser ablation plane. This poster explains the technology, and presents results from a use-case study on soybean stems. Quantifying vascular features in soybean stems will allow researchers to better understand the relationship between genetics and drought-resilient crop. This understanding will result in water-efficient soybean crops that can grow in diverse environments.
Laser Ablation Tomography (LATscan) - slides
TM2021_StPeter-D_transcript.txt (12 kB)
Laser Ablation Tomography (LATscan) - transcript
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Laser Ablation Tomography (LATscan)
Laser ablation tomography (LATscan) is a new 3D structural analysis technique that provides researchers with data they did not have access to before. LATscan is a faster, higher resolution, material agnostic method that promises to fundamentally improve specimen analysis from medical research to agrochemical research. The technology uses an ultraviolet (UV) pulsed laser is used to continually ablate thin layers of samples while simultaneously imaging them. These images perfectly capture the cross-sections in their natural state prior to ablation. The color resulting from UV-induced fluorescence in the images allows for easy image segmentation to identify microscale anatomical and compositional features, and thus samples do not need staining. The images are then stacked to produce 3D models for volumetric microanalysis. The image resolution of the sections is comparable to optical microscopy modalities, and the distance between slices is only limited by the resolution of the stage feeding the sample into the laser ablation plane. This poster explains the technology, and presents results from a use-case study on soybean stems. Quantifying vascular features in soybean stems will allow researchers to better understand the relationship between genetics and drought-resilient crop. This understanding will result in water-efficient soybean crops that can grow in diverse environments.
