PLEASANTON, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 11/06/12 -- Xradia, Inc. is launching the first annual "Coolest Thing You've Never Seen" contest recognizing innovative use of 3D X-ray imaging to advance research in biology, geology, and materials science including the semiconductor industry. Winning images will be featured in Microscopy Today magazine, with the top winner in each of the four categories featured on the cover of Microscopy Today.

Dr. Charles Lyman, Editor-in-Chief of Microscopy Today, says, "We are pleased to be publishing the results of this image contest in Microscopy Today and plan to dedicate this issue to a better understanding of 3D X-ray microscopy. This promising new technique will enable researchers to understand aspects of their studies that were previously unobservable."

Examples of studies using Xradia's lab- and synchrotron-based X-ray imaging platforms to advance research findings or procedures are:

• Study of cryogenically preserved cells and components
• 4D (time-dependent) and in situ research to improve efficiency of fuel cells
• Fluid flow studies for oil and gas research
• Failure analysis in complex semiconductor package designs

"3D X-ray imaging enables researchers to use advanced techniques and to efficiently capture data that was either not possible, or not practical, to obtain before without destroying their valuable samples," says Dr. Kevin Fahey, Chief Materials Scientist and Vice President of Marketing at Xradia. "The contest Xradia has created celebrates users who are improving research procedures and adding significantly to the trusted data in their respective fields -- seeing the things that they thought they could never see."

Along with enabling nondestructive imaging, Xradia solutions offer an unparalleled mix of technological and functional advantages enabling breakthrough research across all sciences and industries. Among the most distinct capabilities are flexible working distances, industry-leading resolution and contrast, and the ability to enable 4D, in situ, and multi-length scale imaging.

Eligibility & Submission Deadline
Images eligible for entry into the "Coolest Thing You've Never Seen" contest may be captured using any Xradia imaging platform including the VersaXRM, UltraXRM, MicroXCT, nanoXCT, UltraXRM-S and UltraSPX. The deadline for submission is 11:59 p.m. PST, December 7, 2012.

Judging
Three criteria will be used to evaluate each submission:

• the quality of the image,
• the scientific merit of the application or innovativeness of the result, and
• what solution did 3D X-ray microscopy offer the researcher.

Submissions should include a brief, 100-200 word statement about the data shown, noting which instrument created the image, how it advances ongoing research, and what is particularly compelling about it.

One top winner will be chosen from each of the following areas of research: biology, geology, materials science and semiconductor. The top 12 images will be featured in Xradia's annual calendar and will also appear on the company's web and social media sites. Images may also appear, with full attribution, in other Xradia promotional materials. There is no limit to the number of images and videos a user may submit.

Technical
3D images should be at least 2000x2000 pixels, in .tif or .jpg format, and must be accompanied by the video from which it was extracted. The video will preferably be < one minute long. Images should have a black background. Images, videos and descriptions may be uploaded directly at https://dropbox.yousendit.com/2012XradiaImagingContest. Each submission should include the three required files, which should be named in the following way: submitter's name (or affiliation), sample name, system name and end with -image, -video, or -description.

Rules
Images remain the property of the owner who provides unlimited access to Xradia. Full attribution will be provided to the contributor in all instances of use. Portions of the image may be reconstructed prior to publication, and/or submitter may be requested to segment. Color may be adjusted to suit publishing goals.

For more information, contact Brenda Ropoulos at bropoulos@xradia.com, or call +1.510.414.6772.

About Microscopy Today
Microscopy Today is a controlled-circulation trade magazine owned by the Microscopy Society of America that is published six times a year in the odd months. The magazine is mailed to over 17,000 microscopists. Editorial coverage spans all microscopy techniques including light microscopy, scanning probe microscopy, electron microscopy, x-ray microscopy, ion-beam techniques, and the wide range of microanalytical methods. Readers and authors come from both the life sciences and the physical sciences. More information is available on the Microscopy Today website: www.microscopy-today.com.

About Xradia
Xradia designs and manufactures microscopes for industrial and academic research applications. Xradia's solutions offer unparalleled high contrast and high resolution imaging capabilities for a large range of sample sizes and shapes. The company's heritage began in the synchrotron and extends to the laboratory. Xradia's laboratory product families, the UltraXRM-L and VersaXRM™, together offer a multi-length scale solution delivering full volume 3D imaging with resolution down to 50 nm. Additional information can be found at www.xradia.com.

Xradia, VersaXRM, UltraXRM, MicroXCT, UltraSPX, and nanoXCT are trademarks of Xradia Inc. Other trademarks that may be mentioned in this release are the intellectual property of their respective owners.

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