Researcher from YNU scans micro-CT for fossils

In front of a micro-CT scanner, Liu Yu looks like a doctor in a white lab coat. However, he is not treating patients, but rather studying ancient fossils that are over 500 million years old.

Liu is now a researcher at Yunnan University (YNU) in China and a pioneer in applying CT scanning technology to study fossils from the Cambrian period. By using micro-CT scanning technology, Liu and his team were able to obtain almost complete three-dimensional information on the fossils, which were previously visible only in two dimensions.

The micro-CT scanning allowed Liu to examine the fossils in more detail and contributed to the team's discovery of the earliest records of segmented arthropod fossils in China. Liu's team won the second prize of the 2020 National Natural Science Awards for their project on the unique preservation of fossils in the Cambrian period and the early evolution of arthropods.

Liu is also a well-known scholar in his field, having studied and worked in Germany for many years before returning to China in 2016. He brought his knowledge of the latest research techniques and methods with him, which allowed him to make significant contributions to the field of paleontology in China.

Recently, Liu participated in an academic exchange program in the United Kingdom, where he was able to showcase China's advances in paleontology research and share his own experiences with his international peers.

Liu's efforts have shown that China has a strong academic environment and top-notch resources for paleontology research, as well as a talented group of researchers producing original research findings. His work has helped to deepen our understanding of early life on Earth and how it has evolved over millions of years.