by A team of researchers at the University of Surrey has developed new materials that could pave the way for a new generation of flexible X-ray detectors. These detectors have the potential for applications in cancer treatment, as well as improved airport scanners.
Traditional X-ray detectors are made of heavy and rigid materials such as silicon or germanium. However, the new flexible detectors made from these innovative materials are not only cheaper, but also more accurate when screening patients and imaging tumors for radiotherapy.
Dr. Prabodhi Nanayakkara, who led the research team at the University of Surrey, explained that the new material is both flexible and low-cost, making it a game-changer in the field. Additionally, this material is tissue-equivalent, which opens up the possibility for live dosimetry, an advancement that is currently not possible with existing technology.
Unlike most X-ray detectors currently available on the market, which are heavy, rigid, energy-consuming, and expensive to cover large areas, these new detectors offer a more flexible and cost-effective solution.
The researchers achieved this breakthrough by utilizing organic semiconductors, which are built up of hydrogen and carbon. Previously, organic semiconductors did not have the capability to produce detailed X-ray images like traditional detectors.
To overcome this challenge, the scientists at the University of Surrey’s Advanced Technology Institute added low quantities of high atomic number elements to an ink, creating devices that produce X-ray images that closely resemble human tissue. This discovery has the potential to revolutionize various areas, including radiotherapy, mammography, and radiography.
According to Professor Ravi Silva, director of Surrey’s Advanced Technology Institute, this technology could be used in radiotherapy, the scanning of historical artifacts, and in security scanners. The university, along with its spin-out company SilverRay Ltd, continues to lead the way in flexible X-ray detectors.
Co-author Professor Martin Heeney from Imperial College London added, “We have been developing heavy analogs of traditional organic semiconductors for some time, and we were intrigued when the application of these materials in X-ray detectors was suggested. These results are very exciting, especially considering this was the first material investigated, and there is plenty of scope for further improvements.”
With the potential to revolutionize cancer treatment and improve security systems, these bendy X-ray detectors represent a significant advancement in the field of medical imaging. Further research and improvements are expected to enhance the capabilities and applications of this innovative technology.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
