Tomography at the National Museum of Natural History (MNHN, Paris)

17 Jun 2025
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3D tomography reconstruction of a dog skull, MNHN AST-RX platform
3D tomography reconstruction of a dog skull

Since 2011, the AST-RX platform at the National Museum of Natural History (MNHN) has been digitizing the internal structure of natural heritage specimens non-destructively and in 3D. To increase its throughput, it acquired a second tomograph, an RX Solutions Explorer EasyTom S equipped with a sample loader: up to 100 specimens scanned per day, at resolutions ranging from 5 µm to over 80 µm.


The National Museum of Natural History in Paris, often referred to as the MNHN, founded in 1793, is one of the oldest and most prestigious French centers dedicated to scientific research, the conservation of collections, and the dissemination of knowledge about biodiversity and the evolution of species. With nearly 68 million specimens, its 2,500 employees work to decode the secrets of the Earth, from biodiversity to the evolution of species.


This case study presents how 3D imaging, and more specifically tomography, contributes to scientific research, the preservation of natural heritage, and the exploration of the origins of life and terrestrial ecosystems at the MNHN.

mnhn bird - 3D reconstruction
Cat fish 3D reconstruction - MNHN
3D reconstruction MNHN

Explorer EasyTom S - MNHNThe project at a glance

CustomerNational Museum of Natural History (MNHN), Paris
SystemExplorer EasyTom S 150 kV nicknamed ID-FIX, with sample loader and 3D-printed holders
ResolutionFrom 5 µm to over 80 µm depending on the specimen
ThroughputUp to 100 specimens per day
UsersMNHN researchers and researchers from other institutions, PhD students, and students

The MNHN, a leading institution for biodiversity

Founded in 1793, the National Museum of Natural History is one of the oldest French centers dedicated to scientific research, the conservation of collections, and the dissemination of knowledge about biodiversity and the evolution of species. Its roughly 2,500 employees look after nearly 68 million specimens and carry out five major missions: research, collection management, teaching, dissemination of knowledge, and expertise for the State and numerous public and private partners.

The Paris MNHN carries out essential missions in the service of knowledge of nature and the preservation of the planet. Its work is built around five key areas:

  • Scientific research: the MNHN is first and foremost a research center. From biodiversity to evolution, anthropology, and paleontology, there are many subjects on which researchers work.
  • Development, enrichment, conservation, and availability of the collections: the MNHN holds one of the largest natural history collections in the world. Collections that keep growing and help us better understand life on Earth.
  • Teaching and training: thanks to its many fields of research, the institution can offer numerous courses. From continuing education to the doctorate.
  • Dissemination of knowledge: a vocation to pass on natural history knowledge and raise public awareness; much knowledge is shared with the general public in order to better understand the world around us.
  • Expertise: the Museum carries out an expertise mission for the French State as well as for many national and international players, in both the public and private sectors.

Mosaic of animal species scanned by tomography at the MNHN
Virtual dissection of a specimen by tomography at the MNHN

AST-RX : the MNHN’s CT platform

The MNHN has a sense of humor: its tomography platform is called AST-RX (Scientific Access to X-Ray Tomography), and its Explorer EasyTom S has been nicknamed ID-FIX. A nod to Asterix and Idéfix.
Since 2011, AST-RX has been digitizing natural heritage specimens in 3D for research, conservation, and teaching. It hosts the Museum’s teams, but also researchers from French and foreign universities. Tomography allows them to explore, non-destructively, the internal structure of fragile and precious objects and specimens, invisible to the naked eye.

Objectives of the AST-RX platform : The AST-RX platform at the National Museum of Natural History is mainly dedicated to scientific research for the institution’s staff and for other French or foreign universities. X-ray tomography makes it possible to:

Virtual dissection and anatomical study

Researchers perform virtual dissections and analyze the internal structure of biological specimens or fossils without altering them. They thus gain access to characteristics and descriptions that are impossible to observe from the outside.

Comparative anatomy and 3D modeling

The complex internal elements, precisely visualized, are used to build 3D models of the specimens, then to compare them with one another for in-depth analysis.

Why did the MNHN choose the Explorer EasyTom S?

For its scientific, restoration, and teaching projects, AST-RX needed  a system capable of chaining scans and post-processing quickly, with a maximum of automation and no compromise on accuracy.  The MNHN therefore invested in a second tomograph: the Explorer EasyTom S from RX Solutions. It meets the needs for versatility, throughput, resolution, and ease of use of a platform that hosts researchers, PhD students, and students for intensive use.
Identify my tomography need

High throughput thanks to the sample loader

The Explorer EasyTom S is equipped with an automatic sample loader and 3D-printed sample holders. Combined with a dedicated software interface, they chain scans together with a minimum of manual intervention. At the MNHN, every specimen is unique, but many share morphological similarities: scan parameters can therefore be automated, which considerably increases digitization capacity.

Versatility and high resolution

The Explorer EasyTom S  observes fine structures in fragile specimens as well as larger objects, with resolutions from 5 µm to over 80 µm . Changing the focus takes two clicks, without a long calibration wait, and warm-up is fast. The macro reload function makes it possible to save and then reapply the same settings, an asset for batch scans.

Quick onboarding for researchers and students

Many researchers, PhD students, and students use the platform. A tomograph that is simple to set up and use also saves time in training.

CT applications at the MNHN

  • Gastropods: summer 2024 project – an innovative project where the point is not to observe the internal structure, but to do morphometry on the surface of the shells, for a large number of specimens whose height ranges from 3 mm to 10 cm. To do this, it was possible to scan up to 100 gastropods per day non-destructively thanks to the sample loader.

  • Education and teaching: high-resolution scans make it possible to create 3D models used to teach comparative anatomy and to illustrate the diversity of life. Students and PhD students can thus explore the internal structure of rare or fragile specimens, rotate them and compare them, without ever handling the original collection items.

CT for academic and scientific research
  • Conservation and restoration: in connection with partner institutions such as the Musée de l’Homme, tomography was used to identify internal weaknesses invisible to the naked eye in prehistoric objects, such as the Venus of Lespugue. This valuable information allows restorers to target their interventions and ensure the preservation of the most sensitive pieces.

  • Internal and external research: MNHN researchers regularly use the platform to perform comparative anatomical analyses, notably on mammal specimens, fossils, or reference objects from the historical collections. Researchers from other institutions can also access AST-RX for specific projects.

Talk with an expert

Sample loader with 3D-printed holders
Sample loader
2D radiograph – gastropods
2D radiograph of a batch of gastropods
Gastropod reconstruction
3D reconstruction of the gastropods in X-Act

Tomography, an essential technology at the MNHN

The National Museum of Natural History (MNHN) pursues missions in favor of the Earth and humanity, including the digitization of its vast collections in the service of science and heritage conservation. The AST-RX platform perfectly reflects this commitment by enabling researchers to scan and analyze specimens in a non-invasive/destructive manner, then to disseminate these resources in digital form for the scientific community and the general public.

With the acquisition of a second tomograph, the RX Solutions Explorer EasyTom S, nicknamed ID-FIX, the MNHN has significantly strengthened its digitization capacity. Equipped with adjustable resolutions, an automated sample loader, and programmable macros, the EasyTom S has made it possible to optimize workflows to meet high throughput and precision requirements. This solution, easy for researchers and students alike to use, also makes it possible to centralize efforts on data analysis.

Thanks to the innovation the EasyTom S brings, the MNHN has been able to:
  • increase the speed and quantity of scans
  • generate high-precision 3D models,
  • strengthen its commitment to open science, accessible and reproducible.

By equipping itself with this powerful tomography tool, the MNHN demonstrates how X-ray technology can meet the current demands of scientific research, teaching, and the promotion of collections, while strengthening the mission of sharing knowledge for future generations.

Lines and platforms for CT systems

At RX Solutions, we offer 3 lines of tomographs: t he Explorer, Nano, or Force line  . These lines can then be customized with our Series to match your applications and business constraints. For production constraints, there is the FAB Series, and for dimensional measurements, the Metrology Series.


Product lines
EXPLORER
NANO
FORCE
Platforms
EasyTom S
EasyTom L
EasyTom XL
EasyTom B
EasyTom L
EasyTom XL
UltraTom
EasyTom L
EasyTom B
Series
Metrology Series



Fab Series





Performance
Resolution
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
Sample density
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
EXPLORER EasyTom S
Series
Metrology Series   
Fab Series   
Performance
Resolution            
Sample density            
EXPLORER EasyTom L
Series
Metrology Series   
Fab Series   
Performance
Resolution            
Sample density            
EXPLORER EasyTom XL
Series
Metrology Series  — 
Fab Series   
Performance
Resolution            
Sample density            
EXPLORER EasyTom B
Series
Metrology Series  — 
Fab Series  — 
Performance
Resolution            
Sample density            
NANO EasyTom L
Series
Metrology Series   
Fab Series  — 
Performance
Resolution            
Sample density            
NANO EasyTom XL
Series
Metrology Series  — 
Fab Series  — 
Performance
Resolution            
Sample density            
NANO UltraTom
Series
Metrology Series   
Fab Series  — 
Performance
Resolution            
Sample density            
FORCE EasyTom L
Series
Metrology Series   
Fab Series  — 
Performance
Resolution            
Sample density            
FORCE EasyTom B
Series
Metrology Series   
Fab Series  — 
Performance
Resolution            
Sample density            



Discover the 3 RX Solutions lines:  Force - Explorer et Nano

Dental part scanned by Explorer micro-tomography Aerospace part in metal additive manufacturing 

EXPLORER

Versatile micro-tomography

2 µm RESOLUTION
300 kV SOURCE VOLTAGE
< 1 µm MIN. VOXEL

Reveal the invisible at the micron scale.

Access the finest microstructures, porosities and interfaces with a resolution down to the nanometre scale.

Platforms Easytom S · Easytom L · Easytom XL · EasyTom B
 Discover the Explorer line      
Microscopic structure analysed at nanometric resolution Life sciences, Wood

NANO

Nanometric analysis

250 nm RESOLUTION
160 kV SOURCE VOLTAGE
30 nm MIN. VOXEL

Reveal the smallest details with nanometric precision.

Nanometric resolutions to characterise microstructures, porosities and interfaces at a scale that optical microscopy cannot reach.

Platforms Easytom L · Easytom XL · Ultratom
 Discover the Nano line      
Electronic component inspected by Force high-energy tomography Titanium additive manufacturing injector 

FORCE

High-energy solution

4 µm RESOLUTION
450 kV SOURCE VOLTAGE
250 kgs Load up to

See through the densest materials.

Inspect thick metal parts, complex assemblies and highly absorbing components with optimal image quality.

Platforms Easytom L · Easytom B
 Discover the Force line      


 How to correctly identify my tomography need

 


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