Project Manifesto


In line with the principle of "Flexibility is the great catalyst for change ", we proudly introduce FleX-RAY.

This EU funded project is made feasible with the scientific and technical contribution of a consortium of highly esteemed partners: the University of Sheffield, Optoelectronica-2001 S.A., RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute and TWI-Hellas as the coordinator.

The vision behind FleX-RAY


FleX-RAY aims to enhance many facets of X-ray imaging for various purposes in fields like medicine, security, food inspection, industrial non-destructive testing (NDT), and nuclear monitoring. The intent behind this project is to develop several key technologies that could help bring into the world a digital X-ray detector that will be:

  • Adaptable to visualising curved shapes
  • Able to self report its final shape
  • Inexpensive to manufacture and maintain
  • Capable of producing high-resolution X-ray images

FleX-RAY Innovations


With an intense focus on achieving this array of pioneering benefits, the following fundamental technological advances need to be implemented to the prospective X-ray detector and thoroughly investigated to collect the most valuable results.

  • Ultra-flexible fibres, instead of a flat scintillating panel, will transform X-rays and guide the light photons towards the photodiodes.
  • A digital imaging detector using single-photon capable avalanche photodiodes will be employed to count the photons to depict the X-rayed subject more accurately.
  • The electronics and hardware will be moved to the side so that the X-ray beam will no longer encounter the detector at the end of its path. This way, the hardware will only be subject to scattered radiation, limiting the need for additional protective housing.
  • The most suitable scintillating materials, fibres and electronics will be developed and tested to create scintillating fibres and X-ray detectors with the highest performance. Different materials in the fibres could also result in X-ray imaging devices tuned for specific applications.
  • Self shape reporting will be done with a flexible glass foil substrate having waveguides etched on it. A clear step forward from existing fibre-based approaches.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 899634.