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 made further technical and business developments to explore the commercialisation of these MHP materials for X-ray imaging. We performed proof of principle demonstration, validating excellent performance compared to commercial state-of-the-art detector materials. Furthermore, we developed crucial understanding of the market and commercial landscape, sowing the seeds for the next steps of commercialisation and pathway to impact in security, food and medical fields.
