Tescan Announces Winner of the UniTOM XL Dynamic CT Beam Time Competition

The winning project of the Tescan UniTOM® XL Dynamic CT Beam Time Competition 2026 Call for Proposals has been decided.

The selected project is:

Time-resolved dissolution on carbonate rocks with spectral mineralogy analysis

The winning proposal was submitted by a research team from CNPEM/LNLS, Brazil, bringing together expertise in in situ fluid–porous media experiments, reservoir rock characterization, 3D and 4D imaging, image reconstruction, and X-ray micro- and nanotomography. 

The project will investigate how carbonate rocks dissolve under acidic fluid flow using time-resolved microCT imaging. By combining conventional tomography with spectral mineralogy analysis, the study aims to track changes in both pore structure and mineral composition over time. 

This approach is particularly relevant for understanding reactive transport in geological formations. In carbonate rocks, dissolution can alter pore connectivity, permeability pathways, and mineral distribution. Capturing these changes dynamically can provide deeper insight into processes connected to CO₂ storage, subsurface energy research, and fluid–rock interaction. 

Why dynamic CT matters for this project

The competition invited proposals that demonstrated a clear need for dynamic X-ray CT, also known as time-resolved or 4D CT. The winning project addresses this directly. 

Rather than imaging a sample only before and after exposure to acidic fluid, the team aims to observe the dissolution process as it develops. This time-resolved view can help researchers connect changes in pore geometry with mineral-specific reactions, supporting a more complete understanding of how carbonate rocks evolve under reactive flow conditions.

What the winning team receives

The selected project will receive up to one week of dedicated beam time on Tescan UniTOM® XL at the Tescan demo lab in Warrendale, Pennsylvania, USA.

The beam time includes collaboration with Tescan specialists on experiment planning and scan setup, as well as reconstruction support for imaging data, with details defined during the planning phase.

Supporting research that reveals change over time

Dynamic CT is increasingly important for research questions where structure, composition, and behavior evolve during the experiment. From geological reactions and in-situ flow to materials testing and industrial process studies, time-resolved tomography helps researchers see not only what changed, but how and when those changes occurred. 

Tescan congratulates Dr. Aluizio José Salvador, Dr. Iara Frangiotti Mantovani, Dr. Everton Lucas de Oliveira, Dr. Nathaly Lopes Archilha, and the wider CNPEM/LNLS team. We look forward to supporting their work on carbonate dissolution, spectral tomography, and 4D imaging of reactive geological systems.

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