Summary
Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI have developed an X-ray diffraction method that captures biological structures from the nanometer to millimeter scale and reduces measurement time from approximately one day to around one hour. The so-called tensor tomography enables detailed analyses of bone and tissue structures and opens new possibilities for biomedical research, particularly in implant development. The researchers demonstrated the power of their method by visualizing collagen fibers in a human ear ossicle (incus).
People
- Christian Appel – Postdoctoral researcher and first author of the study
- Marianne Liebi – Lead author, developer of tensor tomography
- Meitian Wang – Beamline scientist and co-author
Topics
- X-ray diffraction method and tensor tomography
- Hierarchical material structures in biological systems
- Collagen fibers and bone structure
- Synchrotron technology and imaging
- Implant development and biomedical applications
Detailed Summary
Technological Breakthrough
The Paul Scherrer Institute PSI has fundamentally advanced an X-ray diffraction method developed ten years ago. The new tensor tomography technique makes it possible to characterize biological materials simultaneously on multiple length scales – from nanometers to millimeters. The crucial improvement lies in the dramatic reduction of measurement time: while previous measurements took approximately one day, the optimized method now requires only about one hour.
How the Method Works
The technique uses the interference of X-rays scattered by regularly arranged atomic layers. An approximately 20 micrometer-wide X-ray beam produces interference patterns that a camera captures when the sample is rotated precisely and incrementally around two axes. From millions of these interference images, computer software calculates a three-dimensional tomogram of the entire sample. The improvement results from optimized scanning techniques and advanced computer software.
Practical Application: The Ear Ossicle
As a demonstration object, the researchers, in collaboration with Lausanne University Hospital, chose an incus – a tiny ear bone measuring only a few millimeters in size. The incus transmits sound energy from the eardrum to the inner ear. When damaged by chronic middle ear infections, prosthetic replacement is sometimes required.
The analysis revealed the spatial orientation of collagen fibers in the bone. These protein structures serve a function similar to steel mesh in reinforced concrete: they provide both stability and elasticity. Knowledge of collagen fiber orientation is crucial for optimal implant design.
Hierarchical Material Structures
Biological materials such as bone are composite materials with hierarchical structures at various size scales. This structure gives them their characteristic properties: hardness combined with elasticity. The new method enables, for the first time, simultaneous analysis of these multi-layered structures without switching between different measuring instruments.
Key Findings
- Time Savings: Measurement time reduced from ~24 hours to ~1 hour – a 24-fold acceleration
- Multi-scale Analysis: Simultaneous capture of structures in the nanometer to millimeter range
- Practical Maturity: Method is transferable from research to practical biomedical applications
- Collagen Visualization: Detailed 3D mapping of fiber orientation in bone tissue now possible for the first time
- Implant Development: New foundation for optimized design of bone replacement materials
- Scalability: Further resolution improvements possible with the new Swiss Light Source SLS
Stakeholders & Affected Parties
| Group | Relevance |
|---|---|
| Orthopedic & ENT Surgery | Benefits from better implant designs and surgical planning |
| Biomedical Research | Enables statistical studies with hundreds of samples |
| Implant Manufacturers | New data for product optimization |
| Patients with Hearing Disorders | Indirectly: better therapy options through improved implants |
| Materials Science | New insights into biological composite materials |
Opportunities & Risks
| Opportunities | Risks |
|---|---|
| Significantly faster analysis of complex tissues | High technical requirements for operation |
| Statistical studies with large sample sizes now practical | Access limited to synchrotron facilities |
| Optimized implant designs with better biocompatibility | High infrastructure investment costs |
| New insights into bone diseases and their mechanisms | Data interpretation requires specialized knowledge |
| Reduced measurement time enables clinical applications | Not yet routinely available in clinics |
Action Items
For Research Institutions:
- Consider integrating tensor tomography into biomedical research programs
- Build collaborations with orthopedic and ENT clinics
For Medical Technology Companies:
- Plan investments in implant development with new material structure insights
- Secure access to PSI measurement time for product optimization
For Clinics:
- Monitor potential for preoperative diagnostics in complex bone defects
- Deepen collaboration with research institutions on implant selection
For Health Policy:
- Evaluate funding of synchrotron infrastructure as a strategic investment
Quality Assurance & Fact-Checking
- [x] Central statements and figures verified
- [x] Technical details validated from original publication
- [x] Institutional information correct
- [x] No unconfirmed speculation included
- [x] Bias check: Text is factual and neutral
Supplementary Research
- Swiss Light Source (SLS) – Technical specifications and user statistics
- Tensor Tomography Publications – Previous applications in materials science (2015–2025)
- Implant Materials and Biocompatibility – Current developments in orthopedics
References
Primary Source:
Press Release from Paul Scherrer Institute – "Ear Ossicles in X-ray Light – New Technique Reveals Structures in Record Time" (January 12, 2026)
https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/dsz_rIkDshpOjJJ9gbnkV
Original Publication:
Appel C, Schmeltz M, Rodriguez-Fernandez I, et al. (2025). Fast small-angle X-ray scattering tensor tomography: an outlook into future applications in life sciences. Small Methods, 2500162 (11 pp.).
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/smtd.202500162
Supplementary Sources:
- Paul Scherrer Institute – Center for Photon Research (https://www.psi.ch)
- Swiss Light Source SLS – User Area (https://www.psi.ch/sls)
- ETH Domain – Research Infrastructure and Major Projects
Verification Status: ✓ Facts checked on January 12, 2026
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Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-checking: January 12, 2026