Multi-scale X-ray Research Articles

Latest advancements in imaging techniques in OA.

The osteoarthritis (OA) research community has been advocating a shift from radiography-based screening criteria and outcome measures in OA clinical trials to a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based definition of eligibility and endpoint. For conventional morphological MRI, various semiquantitative evaluation tools are available. We have lately witnessed a remarkable technological advance in MRI techniques, including compositional/physiologic imaging and automated quantitative analyses of articular and periarticular structures. More recently, additional technologies were introduced, including positron emission tomography (PET)-MRI, weight-bearing computed tomography (CT), photon-counting spectral CT, shear wave elastography, contrast-enhanced ultrasound, multiscale X-ray phase contrast imaging, and spectroscopic photoacoustic imaging of cartilage. On top of these, we now live in an era in which artificial intelligence is increasingly utilized in medicine. Osteoarthritis imaging is no exception. Successful implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) will hopefully improve the workflow of radiologists, as well as the level of precision and reproducibility in the interpretation of images.

Characterization of foamed concrete with different additives using multi-scale micro-computed tomography

In this study, microstructural characterization of various foamed concrete specimens was conducted using multi-scale X-ray microcomputed tomography (micro-CT). Foamed concrete specimens with cement only and fine sand or supplementary cementing materials (SCMs), such as fly ash and silica fumes, were prepared, which can improve the mechanical properties of the foamed concrete. Various water/binder ratios were also considered for each specimen, and pore and solid structures of the foamed specimens were analyzed. Micro-CT images with pixel sizes of 24.97μm (upper scale) and 0.65μm (lower scale) were combined to investigate the material characteristics. The effects of SCMs on the material characteristics was examined and correlated with the compressive strength of the specimens. The specimens for the upper-scale analysis were used to measure the physical properties of the materials, whereas the detailed microstructural characteristics of the specimens were investigated using a lower-scale micro-CT with relatively small samples. The results from the micro-CT at different scales demonstrated that the solid structures in the foamed concrete significantly affected the material strength based on the SCM type and water/binder ratio.

Multi-Scale X-Ray Computed Tomography Analysis to Aid Automated Mineralogy in Ore Geology Research

Ore characterization is crucial for efficient and profitable production of mineral products from an ore deposit. Analysis is typically performed at various scales (meter to microns) in a sequential fashion, where sample volume is reduced with increasing spatial resolution due to the increasing costs and run times of analysis. Thus, at higher resolution, sampling and data quality become increasingly important to represent the entire ore deposit. In particular, trace metal mineral characterization requires high-resolution analysis, due to the typical very fine grain sizes (sub-millimeter) of trace metal minerals. Automated Mineralogy (AM) is a key technique in the mining industry to quantify process-relevant mineral parameters in ore samples. Yet the limitation to two-dimensional analysis of flat sample surfaces constrains the sampling volume, introduces an undesired stereological error, and makes spatial interpretation of textures and structures difficult. X-ray computed tomography (XCT) allows three-dimensional imaging of rock samples based on the x-ray linear attenuation of the constituting minerals. Minerals are visually differentiated though not chemically classified. In this study, decimeter to millimeter large ore samples were analyzed at resolutions from 45 to 1 μm by AM and XCT to investigate the potential of multi-scale correlative analysis between the two techniques. Mineralization styles of Au, Bi-minerals, scheelite, and molybdenite were studied. Results show that AM can aid segmentation (mineralogical classification) of the XCT data, and vice versa, that XCT can guide (sub-)sampling (e.g., for heavy trace minerals) for AM analysis and provide three-dimensional context to the two-dimensional quantitative AM data. XCT is particularly strong for multi-scale analysis, increasingly higher resolution scans of progressively smaller volumes (e.g., by mini-coring), while preserving spatial reference between (sub-)samples. However, results also reveal challenges and limitations with the segmentation of the XCT data and the data integration of AM and XCT, particularly for quantitative analysis, due to their different functionalities. In this study, no stereological error could be quantified as no proper grain separation of the segmented XCT data was performed. Yet, some well-separated grains exhibit a potential stereological effect. Overall, the integration of AM with XCT improves the output of both techniques and thereby ore characterization in general.

A Multi-Scale and Multi-Technique Approach for the Characterization of the Effects of Spatially Fractionated X-ray Radiation Therapies in a Preclinical Model

Simple SummaryThis study aims at using a multi-technique approach to detect and analyze the effects of high dose rate spatially fractionated radiation therapies and to compare them to seamless broad beam irradiation targeting healthy and glioblastoma-bearing rat brains and delivering three different doses per each irradiation geometry. Brains were analyzed post mortem by multi-scale X-ray phase contrast imaging–computed tomography, histology, immunohistochemistry, X-ray fluorescence, and small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering to achieve detailed visualization, characterization and classification in 3D of the radio-induced effects on brain tissues. The original results bring new insights to the understanding of the response of cerebral tissue and tumors treated with high dose rate spatially fractioned radiotherapies and put the basis for channeling studies of in-vivo applications for monitoring RT effects.The purpose of this study is to use a multi-technique approach to detect the effects of spatially fractionated X-ray Microbeam (MRT) and Minibeam Radiation Therapy (MB) and to compare them to seamless Broad Beam (BB) irradiation. Healthy- and Glioblastoma (GBM)-bearing male Fischer rats were irradiated in-vivo on the right brain hemisphere with MRT, MB and BB delivering three different doses for each irradiation geometry. Brains were analyzed post mortem by multi-scale X-ray Phase Contrast Imaging–Computed Tomography (XPCI-CT), histology, immunohistochemistry, X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), Small- and Wide-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS/WAXS). XPCI-CT discriminates with high sensitivity the effects of MRT, MB and BB irradiations on both healthy and GBM-bearing brains producing a first-time 3D visualization and morphological analysis of the radio-induced lesions, MRT and MB induced tissue ablations, the presence of hyperdense deposits within specific areas of the brain and tumor evolution or regression with respect to the evaluation made few days post-irradiation with an in-vivo magnetic resonance imaging session. Histology, immunohistochemistry, SAXS/WAXS and XRF allowed identification and classification of these deposits as hydroxyapatite crystals with the coexistence of Ca, P and Fe mineralization, and the multi-technique approach enabled the realization, for the first time, of the map of the differential radiosensitivity of the different brain areas treated with MRT and MB. 3D XPCI-CT datasets enabled also the quantification of tumor volumes and Ca/Fe deposits and their full-organ visualization. The multi-scale and multi-technique approach enabled a detailed visualization and classification in 3D of the radio-induced effects on brain tissues bringing new essential information towards the clinical implementation of the MRT and MB radiation therapy techniques.

Monitored Tomographic Reconstruction-An Advanced Tool to Study the 3D Morphology of Nanomaterials.

Detailed and accurate three-dimensional (3D) information about the morphology of hierarchically structured materials is derived from multi-scale X-ray computed tomography (XCT) and subsequent 3D data reconstruction. High-resolution X-ray microscopy and nano-XCT are suitable techniques to nondestructively study nanomaterials, including porous or skeleton materials. However, laboratory nano-XCT studies are very time-consuming. To reduce the time-to-data by more than an order of magnitude, we propose taking advantage of a monitored tomographic reconstruction. The benefit of this new protocol for 3D imaging is that the data acquisition for each projection is interspersed by image reconstruction. We demonstrate this new approach for nano-XCT data of a novel transition-metal-based materials system: MoNi4 electrocatalysts anchored on MoO2 cuboids aligned on Ni foam (MoNi4/MoO2@Ni). Quantitative data that describe the 3D morphology of this hierarchically structured system with an advanced electrocatalytically active nanomaterial are needed to tailor performance and durability of the electrocatalyst system. We present the framework for monitored tomographic reconstruction, construct three stopping rules for various reconstruction quality metrics and provide their experimental evaluation.

Development of Multi-Scale X-ray Fluorescence Tomography for Examination of Nanocomposite-Treated Biological Samples

Research in cancer nanotechnology is entering its third decade, and the need to study interactions between nanomaterials and cells remains urgent. Heterogeneity of nanoparticle uptake by different cells and subcellular compartments represent the greatest obstacles to a full understanding of the entire spectrum of nanomaterials' effects. In this work, we used flow cytometry to evaluate changes in cell cycle associated with non-targeted nanocomposite uptake by individual cells and cell populations. Analogous single cell and cell population changes in nanocomposite uptake were explored by X-ray fluorescence microscopy (XFM). Very few nanoparticles are visible by optical imaging without labeling, but labeling increases nanoparticle complexity and the risk of modified cellular uptake. XFM can be used to evaluate heterogeneity of nanocomposite uptake by directly imaging the metal atoms present in the metal-oxide nanocomposites under investigation. While XFM mapping has been performed iteratively in 2D with the same sample at different resolutions, this study is the first example of serial tomographic imaging at two different resolutions. A cluster of cells exposed to non-targeted nanocomposites was imaged with a micron-sized beam in 3D. Next, the sample was sectioned for immunohistochemistry as well as a high resolution "zoomed in" X-ray fluorescence (XRF) tomography with 80 nm beam spot size. Multiscale XRF tomography will revolutionize our ability to explore cell-to-cell differences in nanomaterial uptake.

Correlative Microscopy: a tool for understanding soil weathering in modern analogues of early terrestrial biospheres

Correlative imaging provides a method of investigating complex systems by combining analytical (chemistry) and imaging (tomography) information across dimensions (2D-3D) and scales (centimetres-nanometres). We studied weathering processes in a modern cryptogamic ground cover from Iceland, containing early colonizing, and evolutionary ancient, communities of mosses, lichens, fungi, and bacteria. Targeted multi-scale X-ray Microscopy of a grain in-situ within a soil core revealed networks of surficial and internal features (tunnels) originating from organic-rich surface holes. Further targeted 2D grain characterisation by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDS), following an intermediate manual correlative preparation step, revealed Fe-rich nodules within the tunnels. Finally, nanotomographic imaging by focussed ion beam microscopy (FIB-SEM) revealed coccoid and filamentous-like structures within subsurface tunnels, as well as accumulations of Fe and S in grain surface crusts, which may represent a biological rock varnish/glaze. We attribute these features to biological processes. This work highlights the advantages and novelty of the correlative imaging approach, across scales, dimensions, and modes, to investigate biological weathering processes. Further, we demonstrate correlative microscopy as a means of identifying fingerprints of biological communities, which could be used in the geologic rock record and on extra-terrestrial bodies.

A Multiscale X-Ray Tomography Study of the Cycled-Induced Degradation in Magnesium-Sulfur Batteries.

Rechargeable Mg/S batteries have the potential to provide a compelling battery for a range of applications owing to their high capacity and gravimetric energy density, safety, and low-cost construction. However, the Mg/S energy storage is not widely developed and deployed due to technical challenges, which include short cycle lifespan and lack of suitable electrolyte. To study the microstructure degradation of Mg/S batteries, multiscale X-ray tomography, an inherently nondestructive method, is performed on dismantled Swagelok Mg/S cells comprising a graphene-sulfur cathode and a super-P separator. For the first time, 3Dmicrostructure visualization and quantification reveal the dissolution (volume fraction decreases from 13.5% to 0.7%, surface area reduces from 2.91 to 1.74 µm2 µm-3 ) and agglomeration of sulfur particles, and the carbon binder densification after 10 cycles. Using tomography data, the image-based simulations are then performed. The results show that the insoluble polysulfides can inevitably block the Mg2+ transportation via shuttle effect. The representative volume should exceed 8200 µm3 to represent bulk cathode. This work elucidates that the Mg/S cell performance is significantly affected by microstructural degradation, and moreover demonstrates how multiscale and multimodal characterization can play an indispensable role in developing and optimizing the Mg/S electrode design.

Influence of rheocasting and rare earth metals on the 3D-microstructure of ZK60 Mg-alloy measured by multiscale X-ray computed tomography

Light weighting has been a key issue to meet stringent requirements on greenhouse gas emissions. One possible way of weight reduction is the substitution of heavier components with lighter metals like Magnesium. In this work, the internal architecture of cast and hot rolled ZK60 alloys with and without addition of 1.5 wt% rare earth metals (RE) has been investigated. The alloys were produced by permanent mould indirect chill cast (PMICC), while the material with 1.5 wt% RE was manufactured by additional rheocasting (RC). A multi-resolution procedure using X-ray computed tomography (XCT) was performed to investigate the alloys in size ranges from meso- (cast blocks) to micro-scale (microstructure). The voxel resolutions used were between (115 μm)3 down to (0.8 μm)3. Morphometric parameters such as volume, volume fraction, connectivity, structure separation, structure thickness etc. were calculated to characterize the 3D-microstructure of the various alloys. The alloys showed no detectable cracks in the as-cast condition, while macroscopic defects such as clusters of high-density Zr-rich particles as well as casting pores were identified. The Zr-rich particles as well as other primary intermetallic phases tended to agglomerate at the bottom of the ingots for all investigated alloys. The addition of RE increased the homogeneity of the microstructure in terms of spatial distribution as well as the global and local interconnectivities of intermetallic phases in the PMICC alloy. RC achieved a more homogeneous distribution of Zr-rich particles. Furthermore, RC led to changes of the solidification topology and increased the distance between the higher-density phases. Hot rolling reduced the fraction of pores formed during the casting process. However, pores were not detected in the ZK60 PMICC alloys after forming, while ZK60 + 1.5 wt% RE PMICC and RC showed the presence of voids that were not completely removed by hot rolling until the thickness was reduced about 60%.

Contrasting thermally-induced structural and microstructural evolution of alumino-silicates with tubular and planar arrangements: Case study of halloysite and kaolinite

Materials with the similar chemical structures but different morphological organization exhibit considerable differences in thermally induced chemo-morphological evolution. With recent advancements in multi-scale X-ray scattering measurements, it is now possible to non-invasively probe the structural and microstructural evolution of such materials. In this study, we investigate the chemo-morphological evolution of halloysite and contrast the results with those for kaolinite. Halloysite and kaolinite have tubular and planar morphologies, respectively. Both materials are alumino-silicates comprised of silica tetrahedral (T) and alumina octahedral (O) sheets organized in a TO structure. Four distinct stages in the structural evolution were identified. Stages I, II, III, and IV correspond to temperature ranges of 25–125 °C, 125–400 °C, 400–625 °C, and 625–875 °C. Major structural changes correspond to the removal of interlayer/adsorbed water in stage I, the existence of the halloysite structure without interlayer water in stage II, dehydroxylation of halloysite in stage III, and the conversion of ordered halloysite to amorphous meta-halloysite in stage IV. Additionally, heating halloysite up to 875 °C resulted in slight widening of the nanotubes, as the average pore radius increased from 6.4 nm to 6.6 nm. Heating also resulted in an increase of wall thickness of the nanotubes from ∼120 nm (25 °C) to 161 nm (875 °C). The increase in the halloysite nanotube diameter was attributed to the expansion of the structure and an increase in the surface roughness. The pore sizes in halloysite nanotubes were also confirmed using N2 adsorption-desorption and nano-X-ray computed tomography (nano-XCT) measurements. The interlayer basal spacing in halloysite changed from 9.8 Å to 7.2 Å after the removal of interlayer water. At temperatures in the range of 625–875 °C, heating halloysite causes a small widening of nanotube pores and a minor increase in the surface area. In contrast, the interlayer spacing in kaolinite collapses on heating which reduces the nanoscale porosity. These studies demonstrate the differences in the chemo-morphological evolution of alumino-silicates with tubular and planar morphologies.

Mesostructural simulation of discontinuous prepreg platelet based carbon fibre sheet moulding compounds informed by X-ray computed tomography

ABSTRACT Discontinuous prepreg platelet based carbon fibre sheet moulding compound (CF-SMC) materials offer huge potential for lightweight applications in the automotive industry. The composition of these materials and the flow behaviour during compression moulding result in a complex stochastic mesostructure, which presents a challenge in the modelling of the mechanical behaviour. The objective of the current work is to use the information obtained from multiscale X-ray computed tomography (XCT) scans to generate full-scale three-dimensional finite element models of tensile coupon specimens for the prediction of the elastic modulus. The models incorporate the stochastic distribution and discontinuous nature of the prepreg platelets. Defects such as porosity, resin-rich areas and fibre waviness can be observed by means of XCT. Porosity is found to be below 0.0076 vol.% and thus negligible. An average volume fraction of 6.48 vol.% of interlaminar resin-rich areas is considered in the mesostructural simulations. The predicted values of the tensile modulus are validated by experimental tensile tests on basis of a large series of specimens. The statistical analysis of variance methodology is employed to reach conclusive validation. The inherent stochasticity of prepreg platelet based CF-SMC materials is well captured with the proposed mesostructural simulation approach and the variability in their mechanical properties is accurately predicted.

Multi-scale X-ray phase-contrast tomography of murine heart tissue.

The spatial organization of cardiac muscle tissue exhibits a complex structure on multiple length scales, from the sarcomeric unit to the whole organ. Here we demonstrate a multi-scale three-dimensional imaging (3d) approach with three levels of magnification, based on synchrotron X-ray phase contrast tomography. Whole mouse hearts are scanned in an undulator beam, which is first focused and then broadened by divergence. Regions-of-interest of the hearts are scanned in parallel beam as well as a biopsy by magnified cone beam geometry using a X-ray waveguide optic. Data is analyzed in terms of orientation, anisotropy and the sarcomeric periodicity via a local Fourier transformation.

Multi-scale X-ray tomography and machine learning algorithms to study MoNi4 electrocatalysts anchored on MoO2 cuboids aligned on Ni foam

For a systematic materials selection and for design and synthesis of systems for electrochemical energy conversion with specific properties, it is essential to clarify the general relationship between physicochemical properties of the materials and the electrocatalytic performance and stability of the system or device. The design of highly performant and durable 3D electrocatalysts requires an optimized hierarchical morphology and surface structures with high activity. A systematic approach to determine the 3D morphology of hierarchically structured materials with high accuracy is described, based on a multi-scale X-ray tomography study. It is applied to a novel transition-metal-based materials system: MoNi4 electrocatalysts anchored on MoO2 cuboids aligned on Ni foam. The high accuracy of 3D morphological data of the formed micro- and nanostructures is ensured by applying machine learning algorithms for the correction of imaging artefacts of high-resolution X-ray tomography such as beam hardening and for the compensation of experimental inaccuracies such as misalignment and motions of samples and tool components. This novel approach is validated based on the comparison of virtual cross-sections through the MoNi4 electrocatalysts and real FIB cross-sections imaged in the SEM.

Comparison of Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry and multi-scale X-ray CT on characterizing the microstructure of heat-treated cement mortar

In this contribution, the microstructure features of cement mortar exposed to various temperatures (105 °C, 200 °C, 400 °C, 600 °C, 800 °C) was investigated by combining Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry (MIP) and multi-scale X-ray computed tomography. The influence of exposure temperature and resolution of X-ray CT on the determination of microstructure parameters of heat-treated mortar was focused. Based on results of MIP test, it was found the porosity and pore size increased slightly when the exposure temperature varied from 105 °C to 200 °C and significant pore coarsening and micro-damage occurred once the temperature exceeded 400 °C. Bimodal pore size distribution (PSD) of the heat-treated mortar specimens was observed when the temperature reached 400 °C. To interpret the results of MIP test, the microstructure of heat-damaged mortar specimens was imaged using X-ray CT with a reconstructed voxel size of ~4.0 μm3 and then local volume inside the specimen was focused and scanned with a reconstructed voxel size of 1.5 μm3. A method was proposed to select proper threshold based on the MIP results for segmenting the void space from the X-ray CT images. The fracture aperture, 2D/3D fractal dimension, connectivity and tortuosity of the heat-damaged mortar specimens were further determined at different scale. By analyzing the fracture aperture determined from X-ray CT images, it was found the bimodal PSD revealed by MIP test can be associated with the creation of thermal micro-fractures. The fractal dimension increased remarkably when exposure temperature was raised from 400 °C to 600 °C while it varied slightly from 600 °C to 800 °C. Linear dependences between the fractal dimension and the volume fraction/tortuosity of micro-scale pores and fractures were found. The scale-dependent fractal properties of the heat-treated mortar were revealed with the capillary pressure data measured by MIP. The fractal dimension of micro-scale pores and fractures measured by MIP exhibited good consistency with that determined based on by X-ray CT images with a reconstructed voxel size of 1.5 μm3.

3D multiscale-imaging of processing-induced defects formed during sintering of hierarchical powder packings

The characterization of the processing-induced defects is an essential step for developing defect-free processing, which is important to the assurance of structural reliability of brittle ceramics. The multiscale X-ray computed tomography, consisting of micro-CT as a wide-field and low-resolution system and nano-CT as a narrow-field and high-resolution system, is suitable for observing crack-like defects with small length and with very small crack opening displacement. Here we applied this powerful imaging tool in order to reveal the complicated three-dimensional morphology of defects evolved during sintering of alumina. The hierarchical packing structure of granules was the origin of several types of strength-limiting defects, which could not be eliminated due to the differential sintering of heterogeneous microstructures. This imaging technique of internal defects provides a link between the processing and the fracture strength for the development of structural materials.

Phase Fraction and Evolution of Additively Manufactured (AM) 15-5 Stainless Steel and Inconel 625 AM-Bench Artifacts.

A proper understanding of the structure and microstructure of additively manufactured (AM) alloys is essential not only to the prediction and assessment of their material properties, but also to the validation and verification of computer models needed to advance AM technologies. To accelerate AM development, as part of the AM-Bench effort, we conducted rigorous synchrotron-based X-ray scattering and diffraction experiments on two types of AM alloys (AM 15-5 stainless steel and AM Inconel 625). Taking advantage of the high penetration of synchrotron hard X-rays, we determined the phases present in these alloys under different build conditions and their statistically meaningful phase fractions using high-resolution X-ray diffraction. Using in situ multi-scale X-ray scattering and diffraction, we quantitatively analyzed the phase evolution and development of major precipitates in these alloys as a function of time during stress relief heat treatments. These results serve to validate AM microstructure models and provide input to higher-level AM processing and property models to predict the material properties and performances.

The architectural design of smart ventilation and drainage systems in termite nests.

Termite nests have been widely studied as effective examples for ventilation and thermoregulation. However, the mechanisms by which these properties are controlled by the microstructure of the outer walls remain unclear. Here, we combine multiscale X-ray imaging with three-dimensional flow field simulations to investigate the impact of the architectural design of nest walls on CO2 exchange, heat transport and water drainage. We show that termites build outer walls that contain both small and percolating large pores at the microscale. The network of larger microscale pores enhances permeability by one to two orders of magnitude compared to the smaller pores alone, and it increases CO2 diffusivity up to eight times. In addition, the pore network offers enhanced thermal insulation and allows quick drainage of rainwater, thereby restoring the ventilation and providing structural stability to the wet nest.

Damage mechanisms in elastomeric foam composites: Multiscale X-ray computed tomography and finite element analyses

To understand the mechanisms of damage initiation and propagation in glass microballoon (GMB)/silicone elastomer matrix syntactic foam composites, multiscale X-ray computed tomography images obtained during in situ compression were analyzed using quantitative image processing and digital volume correlation (DVC) techniques. High-resolution tomograms revealed that both the initiation and propagation of GMB collapse depended on the local clustering of GMBs, leading to the formation of pseudo-crush bands in the composite. This resulted in prominent bands of axial strain variation that grew to several millimeters in length as revealed by DVC. A new mechanism based on stress redistribution around collapsed GMBs is proposed to explain the damage propagation, which is supported by finite element analysis and successfully captures the effects of cluster orientation on the observed damage.

Multi-scale tomographic analysis of polymeric foams: A detailed study of the cellular structure

This manuscript presents a detailed characterization of the cellular structure of two types of polymeric foams by non-destructive multi-scale X-ray computed micro-tomography. This comparative study is conducted in two different polymeric materials –rigid polyurethane foams and cross-linked low density polyethylene foams-. Based on this technique and using 3D image analysis, conventional descriptors of the foams gaseous phase (cell size distribution, mean cell size and anisotropy ratio) are characterized at a standard voxel size of 5 µm. Complementarily, 0.4 µm voxel size synchrotron X-ray tomography data sets have been used to characterize, using a new image analysis approach, features of the solid phase of the foams (fraction of mass in the struts and thickness of the different entities of the solid architecture: struts and walls). The presented methodology, based on multi-scale tomographic analysis, allows obtaining a better understanding of the connection between foaming process and cellular structure and is important to gain knowledge on the structure-properties relationships for these materials.

Fabrication and Multiscale Structural Properties of Interconnected Porous Biomaterial for Tissue Engineering by Freeze Isostatic Pressure (FIP).

Biomaterial for tissue engineering is a topic of huge progress with a recent surge in fabrication and characterization advances. Biomaterials for tissue engineering applications or as scaffolds depend on various parameters such as fabrication technology, porosity, pore size, mechanical strength, and surface available for cell attachment. To serve the function of the scaffold, the porous biomaterial should have enough mechanical strength to aid in tissue engineering. With a new manufacturing technology, we have obtained high strength materials by optimizing a few processing parameters such as pressure, temperature, and dwell time, yielding the monolith with porosity in the range of 80%–93%. The three-dimensional interconnectivity of the porous media through scales for the newly manufactured biomaterial has been investigated using newly developed 3D correlative and multi-modal imaging techniques. Multiscale X-ray tomography, FIB-SEM Slice & View stacking, and high-resolution STEM-EDS electronic tomography observations have been combined allowing quantification of morphological and geometrical spatial distributions of the multiscale porous network through length scales spanning from tens of microns to less than a nanometer. The spatial distribution of the wall thickness has also been investigated and its possible relationship with pore connectivity and size distribution has been studied.