Dr. Christian Matthias Schlepütz

photo of Christian Schlepütz

Beamline Scientist

Paul Scherrer Institut
Forschungsstrasse 111
5232 Villigen PSI
Suisse

My entire scientific career has been revolving around synchrotron-based structural investigations. Both my diploma in experimental physics and my doctoral thesis were carried out at the Materials Science beamline of the Swiss light source, investigating the atomic structure of thin films and crystal surfaces using Surface X-ray Diffraction, for which I obtained my PhD in experimental physics from the University of Zürich (Switzerland) in 2009. This lead to a postdoctoral research position at the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, USA), continuing studies using X-ray diffraction and becoming a regular user of the diffraction beamlines at the Advanced Photon Source (APS). In 2011, I became a beamline scientist in the Surface Scattering and Microdiffraction group, Sector 33, of the Advanced Photon Source (APS) at Argonne National Laboratory (Chicago, USA), being involved in the user-operation of two beamlines and developing advanced methods for reciprocal space imaging using area detectors. In 2015, the focus of my research shifted from reciprocal space back to real space, when I returned to Switzerland to rejoin the Swiss Light Source as a new member of the TOMCAT group, devoting my time to exploring the wonders of the 3-dimensional microscopic world in motion.

Resolving dynamic phenomena at the microscale in space and time - that is, in a nutshell, what my current research is all about. The world around us is in constant motion, and most of the macroscopic phenomena we experience are goverened by dynamic processes happening at the microscale. To reveal and understand those complex mechanisms, I develop and use the unique tools and capabilities of the TOMCAT beamline that allow us to collect X-ray tomographic microscopy datasets at unprecendented temporal resolutions to create 4-dimensional microscopic movies. Applications range from geoscience via food-processing, materials testing and complex multiphase flows all the way to biomechanical investigations. The latest speed record at TOMCAT was set at 1000 tomographic scans per second (Garcia-Moreno, 2021), while sub-second time-resolutions of up to 20 tomographies per second are routinely available to our user community. Currently, I focus on expanding the range of available sample environments to make these capabilities accessible for an even larger range of applications. In parallel, we are working on implementing real-time reconstruction algorithms to establish a true feedback loop of experiments that are controlled and driven by the observed microscopic response of the sample. Last but not least, the SLS 2.0 upgrade provides exciting opportunities for the future, and our team is working hard to make the next generation imaging beamlines at the SLS a reality, allowing to push the current capabilities even farther.

For an extensive overview of all PSI-related publications, we kindly refer you to our online publication repository DORA.

Complete publication list

An up-to-date and complete list of all of my publications can be found on my ResearcherID profile (http://www.researcherid.com/rid/C-4696-2008) or in my ORCID record (http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0485-2708).

List of PSI-related publications (last five years)

  • Freitas D, Butler IB, Elphick SC, Gilgannon J, Rizzo RE, Plümper O, et al.
    Heitt Mjölnir: a heated miniature triaxial apparatus for 4D synchrotron microtomography
    Journal of Synchrotron Radiation. 2024; 31(1): 150-161. https://doi.org/10.1107/S1600577523009876
    DORA PSI
  • Schmeltz M, Ivanovic A, Schlepütz CM, Wimmer W, Remenschneider AK, Caversaccio M, et al.
    The human middle ear in motion: 3D visualization and quantification using dynamic synchrotron-based X-ray imaging
    Communications Biology. 2024; 7(1): 157 (12 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-023-05738-6
    DORA PSI
  • Waldner S, Wendelspiess E, Detampel P, Schlepütz CM, Huwyler J, Puchkov M
    Advanced analysis of disintegrating pharmaceutical compacts using deep learning-based segmentation of time-resolved micro-tomography images
    Heliyon. 2024; 10(4): e26025 (17 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26025
    DORA PSI
  • Blaskovic S, Anagnostopoulou P, Borisova E, Schittny D, Donati Y, Haberthür D, et al.
    Airspace diameter map - a quantitative measurement of all pulmonary airspaces to characterize structural lung diseases
    Cells. 2023; 12(19): 2375 (22 pp.). https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12192375
    DORA PSI
  • Fusseis F, Allsop C, Gilgannon J, Schrank C, Harley S, Schlepütz CM
    Strain shadow "megapores" in mid-crustal ultramylonites
    Geology. 2023; 51(8): 748-752. https://doi.org/10.1130/G51128.1
    DORA PSI
  • Guo R, Stubbe J, Zhang Y, Schlepütz CM, Rojas Gomez C, Mehdikhani M, et al.
    Deep-learning image enhancement and fibre segmentation from time-resolved computed tomography of fibre-reinforced composites
    Composites Science and Technology. 2023; 244: 110278 (10 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2023.110278
    DORA PSI
  • Kamm PH, Yin K, Neu TR, Schlepütz CM, García-Moreno F, Wegst UGK
    X-ray tomoscopy reveals the dynamics of ice templating
    Advanced Functional Materials. 2023; 33(48): 2304738 (11 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202304738
    DORA PSI
  • Link J, Strybny B, Divoux T, Sowoidnich T, Coenen M, Gstöhl S, et al.
    Mechanisms of thixotropy in cement suspensions considering influences from shear history and hydration
    In: Ludwig H-M, Lieboldt M, Baron T, eds. 21st ibausil - international conference on building material. Vol. 6. ce/papers - proceedings in civil engineering. Berlin: Ernst & Sohn GmbH; 2023:698-704. https://doi.org/10.1002/cepa.2810
    DORA PSI
  • Makowska MG, Verga F, Pfeiffer S, Marone F, Chang CST, Florio K, et al.
    Operando tomographic microscopy during laser-based powder bed fusion of alumina
    Communications Materials. 2023; 4: 73 (15 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43246-023-00401-3
    DORA PSI
  • Blaskovic S, Donati Y, Ruchonnet-Metrailler I, Avila Y, Schittny D, Schlepütz CM, et al.
    Early life exposure to nicotine modifies lung gene response after elastase-induced emphysema
    Respiratory Research. 2022; 23(1): 44 (18 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12931-022-01956-4
    DORA PSI
  • Dahms SO, Schnapp G, Winter M, Büttner FH, Schlepütz M, Gnamm C, et al.
    Dichlorophenylpyridine-based molecules inhibit furin through an induced-fit mechanism
    ACS Chemical Biology. 2022; 17(4): 816-821. https://doi.org/10.1021/acschembio.2c00103
    DORA PSI
  • Davranoglou L-R, Malenovsky I, Soh ZWW, Schlepütz CM, Wilson MR
    Redescription of the planthopper Bursinia genei (Dufour, 1849), with a new record from Greece (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Dictyopharidae)
    Zoological Studies. 2022; 61: 51 (15 pp.). https://doi.org/10.6620/ZS.2022.61-51
    DORA PSI
  • Dejea H, Schlepütz CM, Méndez-Carmona N, Arnold M, Garcia-Canadilla P, Longnus SL, et al.
    A tomographic microscopy-compatible Langendorff system for the dynamic structural characterization of the cardiac cycle
    Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine. 2022; 9: 1023483 (13 pp.). https://doi.org/10.3389/fcvm.2022.1023483
    DORA PSI
  • Fischer R, Schlepütz CM, Zhao J, Boillat P, Hegemann D, Rossi RM, et al.
    Wicking dynamics in yarns
    Journal of Colloid and Interface Science. 2022; 625: 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2022.04.060
    DORA PSI
  • Fischer R, Schlepütz CM, Rossi RM, Derome D, Carmeliet J
    Wicking through complex interfaces at interlacing yarns
    Journal of Colloid and Interface Science. 2022; 626: 416-425. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2022.06.103
    DORA PSI
  • Maiditsch IP, Ladich F, Heß M, Schlepütz CM, Schulz-Mirbach T
    Revealing sound-induced motion patterns in fish hearing structures in 4D: a standing wave tube-like setup designed for high-resolution time-resolved tomography
    Journal of Experimental Biology. 2022; 225(1): jeb243614 (7 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1242/JEB.243614
    DORA PSI
  • Migga A, Schulz G, Rodgers G, Osterwalder M, Tanner C, Blank H, et al.
    Comparative hard x-ray tomography for virtual histology of zebrafish larva, human tooth cementum, and porcine nerve
    Journal of Medical Imaging. 2022; 9(3): 031507 (26 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JMI.9.3.031507
    DORA PSI
  • Novák V, Blažek M, Schlepütz CM, Kočí P, Stampanoni M
    Drying of water from porous structures investigated by time-resolved X-ray tomography
    Drying Technology. 2022; 40(16): 3675-3693. https://doi.org/10.1080/07373937.2022.2076239
    DORA PSI
  • Phillips T, Bultreys T, Van Stappen J, Van Offenwert S, Callow B, Borji M, et al.
    Fluid invasion characteristics in a natural geological fracture: implications for subsurface fracture leakage
    In: Sixth international conference on fault and top seals 2022. Conference proceedings. sine loco: EAGE; 2022:1-4. https://doi.org/10.3997/2214-4609.202243022
    DORA PSI
  • Shi Z, Josell D, Jefimovs K, Romano L, Moffat TP, Stampanoni M, et al.
    Fabrication of a fractal pattern device for focus characterizations of X-ray imaging systems by Si deep reactive ion etching and bottom-up Au electroplating
    Applied Optics. 2022; 61(13): 3850-3854. https://doi.org/10.1364/AO.456427
    DORA PSI
  • Blažek M, Žalud M, Kočí P, York A, Schlepütz CM, Stampanoni M, et al.
    Washcoating of catalytic particulate filters studied by time-resolved X–ray tomography
    Chemical Engineering Journal. 2021; 409: 128057 (14 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2020.128057
    DORA PSI
  • Borisova E, Lovric G, Miettinen A, Fardin L, Bayat S, Larsson A, et al.
    Micrometer-resolution X-ray tomographic full-volume reconstruction of an intact post-mortem juvenile rat lung
    Histochemistry and Cell Biology. 2021; 155: 215-226. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00418-020-01868-8
    DORA PSI
  • Brodrick EA, Roberts NW, Sumner-Rooney L, Schlepütz CM, How MJ
    Light adaptation mechanisms in the eye of the fiddler crab Afruca tangeri
    Journal of Comparative Neurology. 2021; 59(3): 616-634. https://doi.org/10.1002/cne.24973
    DORA PSI
  • Börner S, Dittrich D, Mohlau P, Leyens C, García-Moreno F, Kamm PH, et al.
    In situ observation with x-ray for tentative exploration of laser beam welding processes for aluminum-based alloys
    Journal of Laser Applications. 2021; 33(1): 012026 (7 pp.). https://doi.org/10.2351/7.0000315
    DORA PSI
  • Chen Q, Razi H, Schlepütz CM, Fang C, Ma X, Fei B, et al.
    Bamboo's tissue structure facilitates large bending deflections
    Bioinspiration and Biomimetics. 2021; 16(6): 065005 (8 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-3190/ac253b
    DORA PSI
  • Fischer R, Schlepütz CM, Hegemann D, Rossi RM, Derome D, Carmeliet J
    Four-dimensional imaging and free-energy analysis of sudden pore-filling events in wicking of yarns
    Physical Review E. 2021; 103(5): 053101 (20 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.103.053101
    DORA PSI
  • García-Moreno F, Kamm PH, Neu TR, Bülk F, Noack MA, Wegener M, et al.
    Tomoscopy: time-resolved tomography for dynamic processes in materials
    Advanced Materials. 2021; 33(45): 2104659 (13 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202104659
    DORA PSI
  • Hill-Casey F, Hotchkiss T, Hardstone KA, Hitchcock I, Novak V, Schlepütz CM, et al.
    Hyperpolarised xenon MRI and time-resolved X-ray computed tomography studies of structure-transport relationships in hierarchical porous media
    Chemical Engineering Journal. 2021; 405: 126750 (17 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2020.126750
    DORA PSI
  • Höltschi L, Borca CN, Huthwelker T, Marone F, Schlepütz CM, Pelé V, et al.
    Performance-limiting factors of graphite in sulfide-based all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries
    Electrochimica Acta. 2021; 389: 138735 (10 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2021.138735
    DORA PSI
  • Marti S, Fusseis F, Butler IB, Schlepütz C, Marone F, Gilgannon J, et al.
    Time-resolved grain-scale 3D imaging of hydrofracturing in halite layers induced by gypsum dehydration and pore fluid pressure buildup
    Earth and Planetary Sciences Letters. 2021; 554: 116679 (12 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2020.116679
    DORA PSI
  • Migga A, Schulz G, Rodgers G, Osterwalder M, Tanner C, Blank H, et al.
    Laboratory-based phase and absorption tomography for microimaging of annual layers in human tooth cementum, paraffinembedded nerve and zebrafish embryo
    In: Muller B, Wang G, eds. Developments in X-Ray tomography XIII. Vol. 11840. Proceedings of SPIE. Bellingham, USA: SPIE; 2021:118400T (23 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2597926
    DORA PSI
  • Saikia E, Läubli NF, Burri JT, Rüggeberg M, Schlepütz CM, Vogler H, et al.
    Kinematics governing mechanotransduction in the sensory hair of the Venus flytrap
    International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2021; 22(1): 280 (21 pp.). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22010280
    DORA PSI
  • Spurin C, Bultreys T, Rücker M, Garfi G, Schlepütz CM, Novak V, et al.
    The development of intermittent multiphase fluid flow pathways through a porous rock
    Advances in Water Resources. 2021; 150: 103868 (7 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advwatres.2021.103868
    DORA PSI
  • Wemmer J, Malafronte L, Foschini S, Schneider A, Schlepütz CM, Leser ME, et al.
    Fabrication of a novel protein sponge with dual-scale porosity and mixed wettability using a clean and versatile microwave-based process
    Materials. 2021; 14(9): 2298 (14 pp.). https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14092298
    DORA PSI
  • Zhang Z, Wang C, Koe B, Schlepütz CM, Irvine S, Mi J
    Synchrotron X-ray imaging and ultrafast tomography in situ study of the fragmentation and growth dynamics of dendritic microstructures in solidification under ultrasound
    Acta Materialia. 2021; 209: 116796 (12 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actamat.2021.116796
    DORA PSI
  • Colombier M, Wadsworth FB, Scheu B, Vasseur J, Dobson KJ, Cáceres F, et al.
    In situ observation of the percolation threshold in multiphase magma analogues
    Bulletin of Volcanology. 2020; 82: 32 (15 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-020-1370-1
    DORA PSI
  • Cörek E, Rodgers G, Siegrist S, Einfalt T, Detampel P, Schlepütz CM, et al.
    Shedding light on metal-based nanoparticles in zebrafish by computed tomography with micrometer resolution
    Small. 2020; 16(31): 2000746 (10 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202000746
    DORA PSI
  • Dobson KJ, Allabar A, Bretagne E, Coumans J, Cassidy M, Cimarelli C, et al.
    Quantifying microstructural evolution in moving magma
    Frontiers in Earth Science. 2020; 8: 287 (22 pp.). https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2020.00287
    DORA PSI
  • García-Moreno F, Radtke LA, Neu TR, Kamm PH, Klaus M, Schlepütz CM, et al.
    The influence of alloy composition and liquid phase on foaming of Al-Si-Mg alloys
    Metals. 2020; 10(2): 189 (18 pp.). https://doi.org/10.3390/met10020189
    DORA PSI
  • Guo H, Özparpucu M, Windeisen-Holzhauser E, Schlepütz CM, Quadranti E, Gaan S, et al.
    Struvite mineralized wood as sustainable building material: mechanical and combustion behavior
    ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering. 2020; 8(28): 10402-10412. https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.0c01769
    DORA PSI
  • Marone F, Schlepütz CM, Marti S, Fusseis F, Velásquez-Parra A, Griffa M, et al.
    Time resolved in situ X-ray tomographic microscopy unraveling dynamic processes in geologic systems
    Frontiers in Earth Science. 2020; 7: 346 (20 pp.). https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2019.00346
    DORA PSI
  • Spurin C, Bultreys T, Rücker M, Garfi G, Schlepütz CM, Novak V, et al.
    Real-time imaging reveals distinct pore-scale dynamics during transient and equilibrium subsurface multiphase flow
    Water Resources Research. 2020; 56(12): e2020WR028287 (10 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1029/2020WR028287
    DORA PSI
  • Wagner-Hattler L, Québatte G, Keiser J, Schoelkopf J, Schlepütz CM, Huwyler J, et al.
    Study of drug particle distributions within mini-tablets using synchrotron X-ray microtomography and superpixel image clustering
    International Journal of Pharmaceutics. 2020; 573: 118827 (8 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2019.118827
    DORA PSI
  • van Meer NMME, Cerkvenik U, Schlepütz CM, van Leeuwen JL, Gussekloo SWS
    The ovipositor actuation mechanism of a parasitic wasp and its functional implications
    Journal of Anatomy. 2020; 237(4): 689-703. https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.13216
    DORA PSI