TUM Core Facility for Structural Imaging of Food and Biological Materials

• Subject Area: Biomaterials ; Soil Sciences ; Synthesis and Properties of Functional Materials ; Mechanical Process Engineering ; Plant Cultivation, Plant Nutrition, Agricultural Technology ; Process Systems Engineering
• Term: since 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 581284425

Over the past years, micro-computed tomography (µCT) has become a key technology for the non-destructive, three-dimensional investigation of biological and biogenic materials. To make this technique accessible to a broader scientific community and to drive methodological innovation, a Core Facility for high-resolution µCT imaging is planned at the School of Life Sciences of the Technical University of Munich. The facility will enable three-dimensional, non-invasive analysis of samples across a wide range of scales (from submicrometers to the centimeter scales). Conventional imaging methods are often invasive or limited in resolution and penetration depth. Micro-computed tomography closes this methodological gap and allows detailed investigations of the structural organization and functional properties of biological systems that were previously not possible. Within the scope of this initiative, both the organizational and technical foundations will be established to build and operate a state-of-the-art infrastructure for µCT imaging. Researchers within and beyond the Technical University of Munich will gain access to cutting-edge µCT technology and accompanying scientific expertise. At the same time, methodological advancements will be pursued, focusing on the development of in-situ and time-resolved (4D) imaging, the enhancement of contrast in organic materials, the integration of multimodal imaging approaches, and the application of machine learning–based image analysis. A further priority of the Core Facility is the training and networking of early-career researchers. Through dedicated teaching activities, workshops, a seed grant program, and outreach initiatives, interdisciplinary exchange and the broad application of µCT technology will be promoted. The facility is supported by an interdisciplinary consortium combining expertise in plant physiology, soil science, food process engineering, wood and materials science, and process systems engineering. With the establishment of this Core Facility, a unique center in Germany will be created that anchors µCT as a key technology in the life sciences and connects it to existing national and international research infrastructures. By supporting research across the entire value chain from environmental and agricultural systems to sustainable materials and food production, the facility will make a substantial contribution to addressing major societal challenges related to sustainability, food security, and materials innovation.

• DFG Programme: Core Facilities
• Applicant Institution: Technische Universität München
• Leader: Professor Dr. Mutez Ali Ahmed
• Co-Investigators: Professor Dr.-Ing. Heiko Briesen; Professorin Dr. Michaela Eder; Professorin Dr.-Ing. Petra Först