Realizing a High-Margin Opportunity: Flexible radiation detectors

Unlike other markets where the industry is “waiting” for flex to take off, flexible radiation detectors represent a commercial application, both necessary and ready.

Many new market opportunities for flexible circuits are low-cost, high-volume, a challenging proposition for initial applications of novel technologies.  X-ray and other radiation imaging applications fit the ideal market readiness criteria, because such applications are high-margin, modest-volume.

Technical advantages of flex enable applications are important for medical imaging (MI), non-destructive testing (NDT), and bomb detection (c-IED). All require field-deployable sensors that can endure harsh battlefield, ambulance, clinic, farm, hangar, power plant, and other challenging environments – where users need digital solid-state imaging systems as tough and shock-proof as the film cassettes they replace.

Dr. Raj Apte's session (Session 19, Track A, Medical) will include:

• Key technical requirements to enter such markets
• Provide overview of x-ray imaging and radiation detection (specific technologies developed at PARC for commercial and government clients)
• Review technologies for imaging backplanes (on flexible substrates from polymers to steel and using a variety of TFT technologies including organic, a-Si, IGZO, p-Si).

Drawing on PARC experiences and case studies, Dr. Apte will share insights in moving from research, to field-deployable, high-performance prototypes that can be moved to production.

Visit PARC's Booth #26 during exhibition hours February 7-9.