Xradia 3D X-ray Images Key For University of Texas Scan of Famous Fossil "Lucy"

    CONCORD, CA, April 29, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Xradia, Inc., a developer and manufacturer of ultra-high-resolution 3D X-ray imaging systems, today announced that its scanner was used by researchers at The University of Texas at Austin in the examination of fossil Lucy, the world's most famous ancient human ancestor fossil who lived 3.2 million years ago. The company's Xradia MicroXCT scanner, a 3D X-ray computed tomography system with sub-micron resolution, was used by The University of Texas at Austin team to scan selected pieces of the fossil, and the resulting data will assist in their studies to learn how Lucy's skeleton supported her movement and posture, and how it compares to modern humans and apes.

Xradia's MicroXCT breakthrough design enables the highest resolution images and the best sample size and shape flexibility available commercially, making it possible to understand structural features on an ever finer scale. Unlike traditional imaging methods, Xradia's MicroXCT does not require sample preparation like cross-sectioning, making it a powerful tool for studying precious, one-of-a-kind specimens like fossil Lucy.

"Scanning fossils is just one example of how the MicroXCT 3D X-ray scanner makes it possible to perform full volume imaging of a sample and view the full three-dimensional structure with high resolution--making it a compelling alternative for many fields of research," noted Rod Browning, CEO of Xradia. "Anthropologists and students around the world will have access to Lucy's fossils now that she's archived in a digital format--ensuring that she'll help the study of evolution for years to come."

"Lucy is the oldest and most complete adult skeleton, erect-walking human fossil that has been discovered to date," noted John Kappelman, professor of anthropology for The University of Texas at Austin's College of Liberal Arts.

"The ten days we spent scanning Lucy was the easy part," said Richard Ketcham, associate professor of geological sciences in the Jackson School of Geosciences and director of the university's High-Resolution X-ray Computed Tomography Facility, one of the world's premier labs for this work. "For the next several months, the research team will be reviewing and processing the data and generating images to analyze Lucy's skeleton and begin to answer important questions ranging from whether she climbed among the tree branches, how her skeleton supported her movement and how she walked upright on two legs. The imagery we obtained with the Xradia scanner is stunning, and will allow scientists to see details of Lucy's anatomy that have never been seen before."

Lucy is currently on loan from the Ethiopian Government and on tour in the U.S. as part of a world premiere exhibit organized by the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

About Xradia

Xradia designs and manufactures a family of high resolution 3D X-ray computed tomography (CT) systems for non-destructive imaging of complex internal structures. The company enables innovation and productivity through 3D insight for industrial and research applications in advanced materials, life sciences, microstructure modeling for oil and gas drilling, nanotechnology, and semiconductor package failure analysis. Headquartered in Concord, California, the company is a privately held Delaware corporation formed in 2000. Additional information about the company and products can be found at: www.xradia.com

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