Sttr phase i: high-sensitivity flexible quantum dots/graphene x-RAY detectors and imaging systems

The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded a $275,000 Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I grant to Zenoleap LLC on April 1, 2024. The grant funding is to develop a functional prototype for a novel quantum dots/graphene nanohybrid X-ray array detection platform for use in medical diagnostic capital equipment. The project aims to design, fabricate, and test a sensitive X-ray imaging system leveraging recent advancements in quantum dots and graphene technology. The goal is to create a high-performance and potentially lower-cost X-ray imaging solution compared to current semiconductor-based detectors. Experimental tests will be conducted during this Phase I project to quantify critical attributes such as cost, sensitivity, efficiency, and safety. Based on the results, Zenoleap LLC plans to design and develop a prototype detector array with scalability for large X-ray imaging systems.

Abstract

The broader impact/commercial potential of this small business innovation research (sbir) phase i project is a novel sensitive x-RAY imaging platform based on a quantum approach to photo-detection. This project will leverage recent advancements in quantum dots/graphene technology to demonstrate its suitability and superior performance for x-RAY-based imaging medical capital equipment. This novel technological approach aims to provide an x-RAY diagnostic imaging platform with superior performance and lower potential price points than semiconductor detector paradigms. The commercial impact is a novel detector array platform for the $16 billion annual x-RAY imaging market, focusing on the $6.9 annual computed tomography (CT) scanner subset of the market. This small business innovation research (sbir) phase i project aims to develop a functional prototype for a novel quantum dots (QD)/graphene nanohybrid x-RAY array detection platform for use in medical diagnostic capital equipment. This initiative aims to design and quantify the critical attributes of a novel quantum sensor platform for x-RAY capture, down-conversion, and detection of down-converted low-energy photons. During this first phase, experimental tests will be completed. The results will be used to design and develop a prototype detector array with a QD-layer design onto rigid and flexible substrates for scalability onto large x-RAY imaging systems. The completed prototype system will then be tested and validated for performance versus existing platforms. This phase 1 project will quantitatively benchmark several critical attributes (cost, sensitivity, efficiency, preliminary safety) for a novel x-RAY imaging nanohybrid platform versus current hybrids for future commercial integration. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are planned for this award.