Segmentation of X‐ray computed tomography images of porous materials: A crucial step for characterization and quantitative analysis of pore structures

Nondestructive imaging methods such as X‐ray computed tomography (CT) yield high‐resolution, three‐dimensional representations of pore space and fluid distribution within porous materials. Steadily increasing computational capabilities and easier access to X‐ray CT facilities have contributed to a recent surge in microporous media research with objectives ranging from theoretical aspects of fluid and interfacial dynamics at the pore scale to practical applications such as dense nonaqueous phase liquid transport and dissolution. In recent years, significant efforts and resources have been devoted to improve CT technology, microscale analysis, and fluid dynamics simulations. However, the development of adequate…