When German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen discovered X-rays in the late 1800s, it marked a revolutionary moment in science and medicine. His work with cathode ray tubes led to a technology that remains foundational in diagnostic imaging today. However, a team at Sandia National Laboratories believes they have developed a groundbreaking advancement, using varied metals and the unique colors of light they emit to create a new form of X-ray imaging.
Led by optical engineer Edward Jimenez, the team has introduced “colorized hyperspectral X-ray imaging with multi-metal targets,” or CHXI MMT. “With this new technology, we are essentially going from the old way, which is black and white, to a whole new colored world where we can better identify materials and defects of interest,” explained materials scientist Noelle Collins. The team, including electronics engineer Courtney Sovinec, has been working on this innovative approach to produce X-rays of the future.
The Basics of X-ray Creation
To appreciate the significance of this advancement, it’s essential to understand how traditional X-rays are created. Typically, X-rays are generated by directing high-energy electrons at a single metal target, or anode. The resulting X-rays are then focused into a beam aimed at a subject. Denser tissues, such as bone, absorb more X-rays, while less dense tissues allow more to pass through, creating an image on a detector. Despite technological improvements over the years, this basic method has limitations in resolution and clarity.
A New Type of X-Ray Image
The Sandia team sought to overcome these limitations by reducing the size of the X-ray focal spot, which enhances image sharpness. They achieved this by designing an anode with metal dots patterned to be collectively smaller than the beam, reducing the focal point. “We chose different metals for each dot,” Sovinec stated. “Each metal emits a particular ‘color’ of X-ray light. When combined with an energy-discriminating detector, we can count individual photons and measure their energy, which allows us to characterize the elements of the sample.”
The result is colorized images with what the team describes as revolutionary clarity, offering a more accurate representation of an object’s shape and definition. “We get a more accurate representation of the shape and definition of that object, which is going to allow us to make unprecedented measurements and unprecedented observations,” Jimenez noted.
Far-reaching Applications
This development represents a significant leap forward for X-ray technology, with potential applications across various fields, from airport security and quality control to nondestructive testing and advanced manufacturing. The team also envisions a profound impact on medical diagnostics.
“With this technology, you can see even slight differences between materials,” Jimenez said. “We hope this will help better identify things like cancer and more effectively analyze tumor cells. In mammography, you’re trying to catch something before it grows. In breast tissue, it’s hard to identify the different dots, but with colorization, you have a sharper beam and higher resolution image that increases the system’s capability to detect a microcalcification. It’s really exciting to be a part of that.”
Looking Ahead
The Sandia team’s innovation could transform how we approach diagnostics and security. “From here, we will continue to innovate,” Collins stated. “We hope to identify threats faster, diagnose diseases quicker, and hopefully create a safer, healthier world.”
The announcement comes as the demand for more precise imaging technologies grows, driven by advancements in personalized medicine and the increasing complexity of security threats. As the team at Sandia National Laboratories continues to refine their technology, the potential for CHXI MMT to redefine X-ray imaging remains immense, promising a future where the invisible becomes visible with unprecedented clarity.
