The capacity of X-ray detection systems to produce images of the human body is currently limited to the equivalent of black and white pictures. This means it can still be quite difficult to identify soft tissue abnormalities such as cancers or soft tissue sports injuries.

The CRC for Biomedical Imaging Development (CRCBID) and the Monash Centre for Synchrotron Science (MCSS) at Monash University have been working to develop smart and fast microchips to enable colour X-ray detection systems. These are designed to produce “colour” (energy resolved) X-rays which will improve contrast, and therefore the diagnostic capacity of X-ray imaging.

The research teams have successfully made their second in-house X-ray detector microchip which is producing promising results. By analysing this microchip and its performance, more improvements can be made to the next generation system, leading to better quality data from the X-rays, and consequently, better contrasting images.

"By employing key microchip engineers with significant skills and experience in this field, we have been able to make significant progress,” said CRCBID Chief Executive officer, Dr Gerard Roe. “Procuring industry standard electronic design automation tools such as provided by Synopsis and Cadence has also been a major development. Just like multinationals in the IT and microchip field, MCSS and CRCBID are now equipped with world class microchip infrastructure and are ready to tackle the most complex of designs in the X-ray detector arena.”