The University of Surrey has actually presented an advancement in versatile X-ray detectors that are cost-efficient and imitate human tissue, using substantial developments over conventional, stiff detectors in medical and security applications. Credit: University of Surrey
New tissue-equivalent materials established at the University of Surrey could pave the method for a new generation of flexible X-ray detectors, with potential applications ranging from cancer treatment to much better airport scanners.
Traditionally, X-ray detectors are made of heavy, stiff products such as silicon or germanium. New, flexible detectors are less expensive and can be formed around the objects that need to be scanned, improving precision when screening clients and decreasing risk when imaging tumors and administering radiotherapy.
Development in X-ray Detector Technology
Dr. Prabodhi Nanayakkara, who led the research study at the University of Surrey, said: “This brand-new material is flexible, low-cost, and sensitive. However whats interesting is that this material is tissue equivalent. This paves the method for live dosimetry, which just isnt possible with current innovation.”
Most of the X-ray detectors on the market today are heavy, stiff, energy-consuming, and costly if a large area requires to be covered.
Substances developed of hydrogen and carbon, referred to as natural semiconductors, provide a more flexible option, but previously, did not permit as detailed an X-ray image to be produced as conventional detectors.
Ingenious Developments and Applications
To solve this difficulty, researchers at the University of Surreys Advanced Technology Institute created devices based on an ink by including low quantities of high atomic number components to an organic semiconductor.
Building on the teams previous research study in this field, their brand-new detector behaves more like human tissue under X-rays, which might result in new, safer strategies for administering radiography, radiotherapy, and mammography. Their findings are released in the journal Advanced Science.
Professor Ravi Silva, director of Surreys Advanced Technology Institute, said: “This new innovation could be used in a variety of settings, such as radiotherapy, scanning historic artifacts and in security scanners. The University of Surrey together with its spin-out SilverRay Ltd continues to lead the method in versatile X-ray detectors– were happy to see the innovation shows genuine promise for a range of usages.”
Co-author, Professor Martin Heeney, Imperial College London, commented: “We have actually been establishing heavy analogs of standard natural semiconductors for a long time, and we were captivated when Dr. Imalka Jayawardena suggested their application in X-ray detectors. These results are extremely exciting, particularly considering this was the very first product examined, and there is lots of scope for additional improvements.”
Reference: “Tissue Equivalent Curved Organic X-ray Detectors Utilizing High Atomic Number Polythiophene Analogues” by M. Prabodhi A. Nanayakkara, Qiao He, Arvydas Ruseckas, Anushanth Karalasingam, Lidija Matjacic, Mateus G. Masteghin, Laura Basiricò, Ilaria Fratelli, Andrea Ciavatti, Rachel C. Kilbride, Sandra Jenatsch, Andrew J. Parnell, Beatrice Fraboni, Andrew Nisbet, Martin Heeney, K. D. G. Imalka Jayawardena and S. Ravi P. Silva, 2 November 2023, Advanced Science.DOI: 10.1002/ advs.202304261.
Dr. Prabodhi Nanayakkara, who led the research study at the University of Surrey, said: “This new material is versatile, low-cost, and delicate. Whats amazing is that this product is tissue equivalent. This paves the way for live dosimetry, which just isnt possible with current technology.”