Conformable x-ray detector overcomes limitations of current systems

X-ray detector technology developed at Surrey University’s Advanced Technology Institute is claimed to overcome limitations of current systems and can be built inexpensively.

In use, the new, conformable technology could be used in multiple applications including border control or medicine where detectors used for mammograms and dose measurements in radiotherapy are often rigid. This rigidity can cause errors in screening, or dose delivery to surrounding healthy tissue.

While flexible x-ray films such as those used in dentistry or chest x-rays bypass this issue, they are not able to achieve real-time imaging. Similarly, high-speed monitoring of people and vehicles over large geographical areas, which is important in border security, is impeded with the current technology.

In a study published in Nature Communications, the researchers from the Advanced Technology Institute (ATI) describe how they have developed an x-ray detector by embedding oxide nanoparticles in a bulk organic structure that allows for large area detectors to be produced inexpensively.