[en] X-ray phase contrast enables weakly-attenuating structures to be imaged, with bright synchrotron sources adding the ability to capture time sequences and analyse sample dynamics. Here, we describe the translation of dynamical differential phase contrast imaging from the synchrotron to a compact x-ray source, in order to achieve this kind of time sequence imaging in the laboratory. We formulate broadly-applicable set-up guidelines for the single-grid, single-exposure imaging technique using a divergent source, exploring the experimental factors that restrict set-up size, imaging sensitivity and sample size. Experimental images are presented using the single-grid phase contrast technique with a steel attenuation grid and a liquid-metal-jet x-ray source, enabling exposure times as short as 0.5 s for dynamic imaging. Differential phase contrast images were retrieved from phantoms, incorporating noise filtering to improve the low-count images encountered when imaging dynamics using short exposures. (paper)

[en] Clearance of liquid from the airways at birth is a poorly understood process, partly due to the difficulties of observing and measuring the distribution of air within the lung. Imaging dynamic processes within the lung in vivo with high contrast and spatial resolution is therefore a major challenge. However, phase contrast X-ray imaging is able to exploit inhaled air as a contrast agent, rendering the lungs of small animals visible due to the large changes in the refractive index at air/tissue interfaces. In concert with the high spatial resolution afforded by X-ray imaging systems (<100 μm), propagation-based phase contrast imaging is ideal for studying lung development. To this end we have utilized intense, monochromatic synchrotron radiation, together with a fast readout CCD camera, to study fluid clearance from the lungs of rabbit pups at birth. Local rates of fluid clearance have been measured from the dynamic sequences using a single image phase retrieval algorithm

[en] High speed synchrotron X-ray imaging and ultrafast tomography were used to study in situ and in real time the fragmentation and growth dynamics of dendritic microstructures of an Al-15%Cu alloy in solidification under ultrasound. An ultrasound of 30 kHz with vibration amplitude of 29 µm was applied into the alloy melt and produced a strong swirling acoustic flow of ~0.3 m/s. Efficient dendrite fragmentation occurred due to the acoustic flow and the dominant mechanism is the thermal perturbation remelting plus mechanical fracture and separation effect. Acoustic flow fatigue impact and phase collision effects were found to play a minor role in causing dendrite fragmentation. Just 10 s of ultrasound application at the early stage of solidification produced ~100% more dendrite fragments compared to the case without ultrasound, resulting in 20~25% reduction in the average grain size in the solidified samples. Furthermore, the dendrite morphology and tip growth velocity were mainly affected by the initial dendrite fragment number density and their distribution. The systematic and real-time datasets obtained in near operando conditions provided valuable 4D information for validation of numerical models and assistance in developing optimisation strategy for ultrasound melt processing in industry.