International experts gather for the 15th iCT Conference at the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria in Linz.

From advanced algorithms and high‑resolution imaging to autonomous robotic arms for 3D scanning: More than 300 experts from industry and academia gathered at the Linz Campus of the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria from February 10 to 13 to exchange insights, learn about the latest research findings, and explore new applications in industrial computed tomography (iCT). The 15th iCT Conference focused on artificial intelligence, multispectral imaging, and 3D material testing.

Autonomous robotic arms move highly sensitive X‑ray detectors in 3D around a medieval altarpiece, artificial intelligence learns to distinguish different plastic particles in a recycling sample, and big‑data analyses enable even more detailed imaging: Computed tomography (CT) is used not only in medicine but increasingly across industrial applications. ‘CT is a non‑destructive method that allows for inspection and three‑dimensional measurement of samples that would be impossible with other techniques,’ explained Dr. Johann Kastner, Vice President for Research and Development at the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria and host of the 15th Conference on Industrial Computed Tomography (iCT).

From February 10 to 13, around 300 professionals from 27 countries—including Japan, New Zealand, the United States, Brazil, and various European nations—visited the Linz Campus to exchange insights and learn about the latest developments and applications in CT. The English‑language conference was accompanied by a diverse supporting program, ranging from technical exhibitions and shared evening events to guided tours of the CT laboratories & the new hydrogen research center, and concluded with a performance by the music group Seeblech.

Artificial Intelligence and Multispectral Imaging

“The importance of industrial X‑ray computed tomography has steadily increased in recent years,” said Kastner. “It enables us to detect hidden features such as shrinkage cavities, cracks, inclusions, voids, and more inside plastic and lightweight metal components, and to determine physical properties like porosity and density.”

Serving as a bridge between universities, research institutions, industry, and IT—participants were evenly split between academia and the private sector—the iCT Conference showcased both the latest research findings and concrete application examples, as well as components, devices, and software for CT. This year, artificial intelligence played a central role, particularly in how deep learning can optimize the evaluation of massive data sets.

Imaging algorithms are also delivering increasingly detailed results: “Multispectral and multimodal imaging are new methods that essentially take us from black‑and‑white to color vision in the X‑ray range. This gives us far more information,” Kastner explained.

Keynotes:

Julia Thalhammer, University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, Wels, AT: CT for investigations of materials for hydrogen applications

Jochen Butzer, Corporate Research, Robert Bosch GmbH, Renningen, DE: Boosting quality - CT in various applications at Bosch

Michael Salamon, Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits (IIS), EZRTy, DE: GIANT EYE - Key Technology for tomorrow’s products 

A Fixed Highlight in the Industry’s Calendar

The iCT Conference was organized in cooperation with the ÖGfZP (Austrian Society for Non‑Destructive Testing), the DGZfP (German Society for Non‑Destructive Testing), and the SGZP (Swiss Society for Non‑Destructive Testing). The University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria in Wels conducts extensive research in this field and has been operating an industrial X‑ray CT system for exactly 20 years. “Back then, there was no suitable international conference, so we simply decided to invite the expert community ourselves,” said conference initiator Kastner, recalling the origins of the iCT Conference. What began as a small German‑language event quickly evolved into an international conference—now firmly established in the calendars of experts and industry leaders.

The 16th iCT Conference will take place in Grenoble, France, in March 2027 and will return to Linz in 2028.

(AI-generated translation)