Challenges of `imaging' particulate materials in three dimensions

TL;DR

This paper reviews the current challenges and solutions in 3D imaging of particulate materials, covering techniques like X-ray tomography, radar tracking, and smart tracers, and discusses future research directions.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of existing imaging methods and highlights emerging techniques and future challenges in 3D particulate imaging.

Findings

X-ray tomography faces specific challenges in imaging static particulate assemblies.

Emerging methods like radar tracking and smart tracers offer new opportunities for dynamic studies.

The paper identifies key unresolved problems and potential future solutions in the field.

Abstract

In this perspective article, we discuss the challenges of imaging assemblies of particles in three dimensions. Starting from a brief motivation for the investigation of particulate materials, we provide an overview of experimental approaches developed for imaging particles. We list the challenges and existing solutions associated with X-ray tomography, one of the standard methods to study statics. Subsequently, we discuss challenges and opportunities arising from emerging new techniques such as radar tracking and `smart' tracers for exploring granular dynamics. We close with a tentative view on the outstanding problems and potential solutions in the future.