Researchers have created a low-cost, environmentally friendly material that could have a big impact on x-ray technology.

Florida State University scientists recently described their approach to developing novel x-ray scintillators in Nature Communications. It involves replacing lead or heavy metals with an organic compound for a more versatile, flexible detector. 

Co-author of the Aug. 28 study, Biwu Ma, PhD, a professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the Tallahassee, Florida, institution said their approach is an important step in developing eco-friendly imaging techniques.

“Developing low-cost scintillation materials that can be easily manufactured and that perform well remains a great challenge,” Ma added in an Aug. 31 statement. “This work paves the way for exploring new approaches to create these important devices.”