3D Lab
X-ray-based 3D scans and high-performance workstations
The 3D Laboratory at the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin analyses biological, palaeontological and geological objects using X-ray-based 3D techniques or reflected-light 3D scanners. It serves as a key research facility for scientific projects at the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, as well as for the digitisation of selected collection items.
In addition to various devices for three-dimensional scanning, the laboratory has twelve high-performance workstations. Researchers use these to scientifically analyse the raw data generated using specialised 3D volume processing software.
The laboratory is used by numerous research groups. The projects range from questions of evolutionary biology and taxonomic and palaeontological studies to geological applications, such as in impact research.
What is the 3D lab suitable for?
The 3D laboratory is particularly suitable for:
- non-destructive analysis of internal and external structures
- three-dimensional visualisation of complex morphological features
- comparative studies of fossil and modern organisms
- examination of soft tissue following contrast enhancement
- digitisation projects on collection items
- Interdisciplinary research at the interface of biology, palaeontology, geology and materials science
Contact
Kristin Mahlow-Tillack
Contact person
Email: kristin.mahlow@mfn.berlin
Telephone: +49 30 889140-8336
Prof. Dr Johannes Müller
Head of Laboratory
Email: johannes.mueller@mfn.berlin
Telephone: +49 30 889140-8805
Marcel Gärtner
Laboratory Assistant
Email: marcel.gaertner@mfn.berlin
Use and collaboration
The 3D laboratory is open to museum staff, students, PhD students, postdoctoral researchers and visiting scholars. It may be used as part of joint research projects and by prior arrangement.
External researchers may also use the facilities, provided there is a thematic link to the museum’s research questions and capacity is available. In addition, the laboratory offers services to external users.
For enquiries regarding use, sample processing or collaboration, please contact the relevant contact person.
Features
Phoenix Nanotom S – X-ray tomograph
X-ray-based examination and three-dimensional imaging of internal and external structures
- Maximum object size: 10 cm
- Resolution: up to 1 µm
Comet YXLON FF85 – X-ray tomograph
X-ray-based examination and three-dimensional imaging of internal and external structures
- Maximum object size: 50x70 cm (WxH)
- Resolution: up to 1 µm
Comet Yxlon Cheetah EVO – flat-panel X-ray scanner
X-ray-based examination and two-dimensional imaging of internal structures
- Maximum object size: 30x30 cm (WxL)
- Resolution: up to 0.5 µm
- The scanner features a laminography option, which allows depth information to be added to 2D X-ray images
Artec Spider, Artec EVA and Artec Leo – Handheld scanners
For three-dimensional capture of external surface structures.
- Portable devices for use directly within the collections
- Object sizes
- Spider: approx. 5 cm to 1.5 m
- EVA: approx. 20 cm to 6 m
- Leo: approx. 20 cm to 10 m
Soft tissue contrast enhancement
Processing of biological samples for virtual representation of soft tissues using X-ray analysis. The laboratory is available only to internal museum users and cannot be booked as an external service.
- diceCT staining (iodine)
- Tungstic acid staining (PTA) for muscle and cartilage analyses
Laboratory procedures and analytical methods
- Micro-X-ray tomography (micro-CT)
- Contrast-enhanced soft tissue imaging (diceCT, PTA staining)
- 3D volume reconstruction
- 3D surface scanning
- 2D X-ray analyses, visualisation and segmentation of complex structures using Amira, Dragonfly or Volume Graphics