University of Michigan
NERS/BIOE 580
Michael J. Flynn, Adjunct Professor
Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Science
mikef@umich.edu -> mikef@rad.hfh.edu
This course involves a sequence of computer projects involving the simulation of radiographic imaging processes. The projects involve principles taught in NERS/BIOE 481 and follow the topics associated with the x-ray imaging portion of the course. Students use a Microsoft Windows computer to work with existing radiation imaging simulation programs. Projects involve the use of tcl scripts, plotting utilities, and display utilities. A short introduction is designed to familiarize the student with important script tools. Course software and lab projects are distributed on the course web site. Each student works independently and submits project results for each module.
        Pre-requisite: Preceded or accompanied by NERS/BIOE 481.
Download Course Material:

Version 3.5c Windows distribution: 'WinRadImg_3-5c_um.zip' (2.6 MB)

  • Course software for radiation imaging.
  • Radiation interaction data files.
  • Material property data files.
  • Radiation imaging detector data files.

Installation instructions for the course software are in the 01-Intro-A laboratory module along with instructions for obtaining and installing Tcl/Tk (script interpreter software) and gnuplot (graphic plotting software).

For students who need to use CAEN workstations, an extended distribution for use with a USB memory device is provided. This includes Tcl and gnuplot software.
Download 580-CAEN_v2.zip instead of WinRadImg_3-5c_um.zip.

2019 Schedule:
Due Topic
I. Introduction
     * 01-Intro-A Jan 23 : Course files and utility software.
     * 02-Intro-B Jan 23 : Radiation attenuation data for materials.
II. Radiation Sources
     * 03-Source-A Feb 06 : Energy spectrum emitted by x-ray tubes.
     * 04-Source-B Feb 06 : Effect of filters on the energy spectrum.
III. Image Formation
     * 05-Object-A Feb 20 : Entrance and exit radiation exposure.
     * 06-Object-B Feb 20 : Subject contrast for small structures.
IV. Image Detection
     * 07-Detector-A Mar 20 : Signal and noise for ideal detectors.
     * 08-Detector-B Mar 20 : Signal and noise for real detectors.
V. Image Quality
     * 09-Image-A Apr 03 : Contrast and noise in radiography.
     * 10-Image-B Apr 03 : Contrast and noise in x-ray CT.
VI. Display & Vision ** Apr 17 TBD

* These links points to course content from 2019.
Changes may be made for the 2020 course.

Module Review:

For each of the five laboratory sections, a review session May be held one week after the due date for submission of lab results. Using 'model' solutions, suggestions will be made for improved lab solution methods. These review sessions will be held in 1940 Cooley at 6 PM following the NERS/BIOE 481 lecture.

Grading:

100% - Total score for 10 submitted Lab module results

Grades assigned to Lab module results:

  • 0 - Lab module results not submitted.
  • 1 - Incorrect Lab module results.
  • 2 - Partially correct results.
  • 3 - Correct Lab module results.

All lab results should be submitted by eMail to the instructor.