Objective
Current radiation detectors used in medical imaging, such as PET and CT scans, are limited by their slow response times, which results in information loss and requires higher radiation doses for patients. State-of-the-art crystalline scintillators, like LYSO:Ce, apparently have reached their fundamental performance limits and cannot provide the time resolution needed for a leap to the next generation of medical imaging.
This project proposes a breakthrough concept: Using a fast scintillator based on Accelerated Collective Emission (ACE). We use this term to avoid terminological confusion between terms such as superradiance or superfluorescence, which are collective spontaneous emission phenomena. Accelerated collective emission was reported recently for superlattices of CsPbBr3 nanocrystals. In a recent study, we measured ACE using X-ray excitation. The resulting bright emission has rates in the sub-nanosecond range, which is among the fastest ever measured. The ACE scintillator can be used in stand-alone scintillator screens or as fast emission layers in metascintillators for high-energy radiation.
Here we will conduct a feasibility study to fabricate and test dense, uniform ACE-capable scintillator layers. We aim at two markets: (1) Medical imaging, where our material could drastically reduce scan times and patient radiation doses, opening PET to broader patient groups (children) and diagnosing additional life-threatening conditions. (2) Electron and X-ray microscopy, where the promise is new imaging modalities for bio-imaging, microelectronics and others applications.
Our POC is the first known to us attempt for practical embodiment of collective emission from colloidal superlattices. A successful device can also be effective in probing collective emitters for quantum applications.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology medical engineering diagnostic imaging computed tomography
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials nanocrystals
- natural sciences physical sciences electromagnetism and electronics microelectronics
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2025-POC
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
32000 Haifa
Israel
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.