Fascinating insights thanks to state-of-the-art CT technology

X-rayed down to the last detail: How computer tomography reveals the secret of the pearl boat
CT Scan from perlboot

CT scanning as the key to new findings

Thanks to high-precision computed tomography technology, even the finest structures of natural materials can be captured and analysed. The example of the pearl boat impressively demonstrates how modern imaging techniques contribute to research into biological and geological phenomena. Whether in science, industry or education - CT technology is revolutionising the way we understand the world around us.

Have you ever scanned a pearl boat? Our valued customer Dr Frank Fröhlich from Innovent e.V. Technologieentwicklung in Jena did just that! For the Long Night of Science in Jena, he used an EasyTom computed tomography system from RX Solutions to visualise the inner structure of this fascinating species.

What makes the pearl boat so special?

The pearl boat, also known as the nautilus, is a living fossil and is one of the last representatives of the ammonites. It lives in the tropical waters of the western Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its shell consists of many gas-filled chambers that are separated by walls and help the animal to regulate its buoyancy in the water.

With the help of the CT images, the following exciting details could be visualised

  • The wall thickness of the housing varies, as shown by a rainbow scale in the scans (red = thin, blue = thick).
  • The wall thickness increases with the age of the animal - an important indicator of growth and development.
  • The shell material consists mainly of mother-of-pearl (aragonite), which has a density of around 2.58 g/cm³. The slightly lower density compared to pure aragonite (2.95 g/cm³) is due to embedded organic substances.
  • The CT image of the median plane (symmetry plane) clearly shows the connections between the chambers and the inner structure of the pearl boat.

Computed tomography in research:
target groups and applications

Computed tomography opens up unique possibilities for numerous scientific and industrial fields of application.

palaeontologists & evolutionary biologists

  • Research into fossil and recent species
  • Reconstruction of the internal structure of fossils without invasive procedures
  • Analysing growth patterns and evolutionary adaptations

material scientists & geologists

  • Investigation of material composition and density distribution
  • Characterisation of biological and mineral structures
  • Determination of mechanical properties by non-destructive testing

zoologists & marine biologists

  • Investigation of the morphological adaptations of marine organisms
  • Analysing the buoyancy mechanism and biological functions of the siphon
  • Identification of environmental adaptations in different ocean regions

museums & educational institutions

  • Digitisation of collection objects for exhibitions
  • Provision of interactive visualisations for education and research
  • Preservation of sensitive exhibits through non-destructive analysis