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Using X-ray Radiography To Reveal Ancient Insects

Posted by kdawson on from the bug-me-not dept.

1shooter writes "Researchers in France are using a synchrotron as a giant X-ray machine to peer into the insides of opaque amber to reveal insects dating from the age of dinosaurs. 'The European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in Grenoble, France, produces an intense, high-energy light that can pierce just about any material, revealing its inner structure... From more than 600 blocks, they have identified nearly 360 fossil animals: wasps, flies, ants, spiders.' The process reveals detailed 3D images that can be used to make near-perfect enlarged scale models of the bugs using a 'plastic printer.'"

10 of 67 comments (clear)

  1. How many furlongs is that? by Skevin · · Score: 5, Funny

    > From more than 600 blocks, they have identified nearly 360 fossil animals: wasps,
    > flies, ants, spiders

    Why so far away? They might get better resolution if they held the sample right up next to the machine.

    Solomon Chang

    --
    "Twice half-assed makes an ass whole." --Solomon K. Chang
    1. Re:How many furlongs is that? by RealGrouchy · · Score: 4, Funny

      *looks up from the amber specimen*

      "That's not a bug, it's a feature!"

      - RG>

      --
      Hey pal, this isn't a pleasantforest, so don't waste my time with pleasantries!
  2. Yes, but... by Naughty+Bob · · Score: 5, Funny

    Researchers in France are using a synchrotron as a giant X-ray machine......Do they run Linacs?

    --
    "Be light, stinging, insolent and melancholy"
  3. dating? by r00b · · Score: 2, Funny

    I didn't realize that insects have been dating for millions of years.

  4. Peer through opaque objects by garett_spencley · · Score: 3, Funny

    "The European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in Grenoble, France, produces an intense, high-energy light that can pierce just about any material,"

    Does anyone know where I can obtain one of these devices ?

    I always thought they were just a novelty sold via mail order in Mad Magazines. Can't tell you how many times I've been disappointed. If this is the real deal then please ...

    1. Re:Peer through opaque objects by Caesar+Tjalbo · · Score: 3, Funny

      I want one on a shark.

      --
      "I'm not much interested in interoperability. I want substitutability. I want to be able to throw your software out."
  5. Re:Uh, how? by Naughty+Bob · · Score: 3, Funny

    It's almost as if they'd need a giant X-ray machine!

    --
    "Be light, stinging, insolent and melancholy"
  6. New application by Roger+W+Moore · · Score: 4, Funny

    I wonder if this technique will work with Fortran code we still use in our Monte-carlo generators for the LHC. I'm sure it also contains ancient bugs....

  7. They laughed! At ME!? I'll show these fools! by Scrameustache · · Score: 2, Funny

    "The European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in Grenoble, France, produces an intense, high-energy light that can pierce just about any material,"

    Does anyone know where I can obtain one of these devices ?

    I always thought they were just a novelty sold via mail order in Mad Magazines. Can't tell you how many times I've been disappointed. If this is the real deal then please ... I was thinking more along the lines of a small device for amplification by stimulated emission of radiation of that "high-energy light that can pierce just about any material", and having said contraption affixed to the pericerebral cartilaginous structure of a shark.

    I expect that the project would cost around... one MILLION dollars!
    --

    You can't take the sky from me...

  8. Re:Holotype by Benson+Arizona · · Score: 3, Funny

    The 3-D model is then encased in Amber, for protection and buried for the pleasure of future palaeontologists. Ohh wait...