A Finnish SME is searching for co-developing and producing partner for sheet material based on hackmanite

Short summary A Finnish SME has developed a new sustainable luminescent material based on synthetic hackmanite. It can be used in X-ray field and it's compatible for computer radiography (CR), digital radiography (DR) and dosimetry purposes. The SME is searching for a partner to prepare the powder material in to a form of sheet. The sheet can be thin plastic-like flexible sheet and it could then be integrated into imaging panels and other devices.

Full description A Finnish research-based SME has developed a new sustainable luminescent material that can be used in X-ray field. It is based on synthetic hackmanite and it is compatible for computer radiography (CR), digital radiography (DR) and dosimetry purposes. The material is completely synthetic, highly optimizable, non-toxic and environmentally friendly. It can replace toxic phosphors in imaging plates, improve dosimetry sensitivity, and be easily disposed of. The material has benefits to increase patient safety once optimized to its best version. The material is protected with 6 global patent families. The material is in powder form and needs to be prepared in to a form of sheet. The sheet can be thin plastic-like flexible sheet and it could then be integrated into imaging panels and other devices. Estimated order frequency would be once in a month or more often if needed. The collaboration timeline is around one year with smaller sizes, and then increasing sizes. The type of partnership could be research and development cooperation agreement and/or commercial agreement with technical assistance.

Advantages and innovations The luminescent phosphors that are currently used in imaging plates can be replaced with the new material. Unlike the currently used phosphors, the material is tunable, completely non-toxic, environmentally friendly and fully recyclable. Replacing toxic phosphors with the sustainable synthetic hackmanite will not incur additional costs for the end user. The studies show that imaging plates made with the developed material will work on existing plate readers. Disposing imaging plates made with the material is easy and safe since they are no longer hazardous waste. In dosimetry, the studies have showed that the material can improve the dosimeter sensitivity significantly. If optimized to its best form, the material can increase patient safety in both fields: X-ray imaging and dosimetry.

Technical Specification or Expertise Sought The material is powder, it can be mixed with liquids or gels, and it needs to be prepared in to a form of sheet. The sheet material should be something that does not prevent X-ray radiation from passing through it. It is desirable that the sheet would be flexible but it is not mandatory. The sheet can be thin plastic-like flexible sheet and it could then be integrated into imaging panels and other devices. The sheet thickness could be anything between 200 µm - 600 µm. Other thicknesses could also work but a detailed discussion would be needed. The sheet sizes would start with smaller from 2 cm x 2 cm size and up, and later during the collaboration sheets up to 30 cm x 30 cm would be needed. Technical requirements include manufacturing with lower temperatures than 100 celsius, and ball mill or other device to ensure homogeneous mixture. Also a device which will assure the final sheet is evenly thick.
Contact / source: NEXT EEN Widgets (europa.eu)