Objective
This project presents a new technology for detectors used in positron emission tomography (PET), based on liquid xenon instead of current scintillator crystals. The basic element is a liquid xenon scintillating cell, with its size optimized to maximize the number of gammas that interact in the cell. Silicon photomultipliers read out by low power, low noise customized integrated circuits for time of flight applications will be used as sensors.
Xenon is a noble gas which scintillates as response to ionizing radiation. Scintillation is very fast and intense, which results in the possibility of building a PET of good energy and spatial resolution and excellent time resolution. This, in turn, makes possible the measurement of the time-of-flight (TOF), which increases the sensitivity of the detector. Recently, the PI has published a Monte Carlo study of the coincidence resolving time that can be achieved by the PETALO technology, obtaining the promising result of less than 100 ps FWHM, which would be a break-through in the PET scanner field. The low cost of liquid xenon compared to conventional scintillating crystals opens two possible applications: one one hand, a full body PET reducing the cost and with an already better performance than the current technology; on the other hand, a smaller brain scanner, optimized to maximize the improvement in the performance with TOF measurements.
This project will demonstrate the technological and commercial feasibility of the proposed technology. For this purpose, first a set of prototypes with two cells will be built to evaluate the resulting performance of the PETALO technology using different kinds of photosensors (UV light sensitive SiPMs versus conventional ones coated with a wavelength shifter). In a second phase, a full ring of the dimensions of a brain scanner will be built, using the technology that has performed better according to the results of this first phase.
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.
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry noble gases
- natural sciences physical sciences nuclear physics
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry metalloids
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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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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - 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.
ERC-STG - Starting Grant
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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-2017-STG
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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.
20018 Donostia San Sebastian
Spain
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.