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Perovskite Scintillators for X-Ray Imaging

Project description

A scintillating idea could significantly and safely enhance X-ray detection

Since 1895, when Wilhelm Röntgen created the first X-ray – of his wife's hand and her wedding ring – X-rays have been helping practitioners see inside our bodies and improve health outcomes. X-rays passing through our bodies are absorbed by some tissues (such as bone) and pass through others, resulting in contrast on the detector plate. The dangers of ionising radiation have been known for some time, and X-ray systems have relied on less and less radiation in part thanks to increasingly sensitive detectors. However, the performance of the materials in the detector's active layer is reaching its limits, blocking the ability to enhance resolution while simultaneously reducing exposure to radiation. The EU-funded PEROVSCI project is exploiting the amazing potential of an emerging family of materials with excellent X-ray sensitivity to clear the barrier and pave the way for the next generation of X-ray detectors.

Objective

X-ray imaging is a widely employed tool both for basic research and real-world applications such as security, food screening and medical imaging. However, X-rays are considered ionising radiation and can pose significant risks to humans if not carefully employed. Moreover, resolution is closely linked to radiation dose, which means that a limit is placed on the resolution achievable by an X-ray detector based on how well the detector’s active layer can respond to incident radiation. Currently, commercial materials are operating at their maximum performance potential. Thus, to increase the resolution and lower the radiation dose, which would subsequently expand the applications and improve the efficacy of X-ray imaging, we must fabricate better active layer materials. Recently, Metal Halide Perovskite (MHP)s have generated significant interest for next generation X-ray detectors due to their exceptional X-ray sensitivity, radiation hardness, easy fabrication, fast scintillation response and high photon-yield. State-of-the-art MHP based devices are already outperforming commercial materials in key performance metrics. However, an enormous barrier stands in the way of their future commercialisation for X-ray detectors; they are unstable in atmosphere. As part of the ERC HYPERION project, in which we were pursuing the fabrication of highly emissive materials, we identified a route to synthesise novel MHPs based materials that show excellent radioluminescence (X-Ray to Photon emission) properties. Most critically, our fabrication method ensures that the material exhibits exceptional stability in ambient conditions, making it a very attractive material for the next generation of X-ray detectors. In this project, we will move this material to commercialisation by developing critical commercial and market analyses while facilitating the scaled fabrication of a working proof of concept X-ray detector.

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Keywords

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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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.

ERC-POC - Proof of Concept Grant

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) ERC-2020-PoC

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Host institution

THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE
Net EU contribution

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.

€ 150 000,00
Address
TRINITY LANE THE OLD SCHOOLS
CB2 1TN Cambridge
United Kingdom

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Region
East of England East Anglia Cambridgeshire CC
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

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Beneficiaries (1)

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