Mia's Feed
Medical News & Research

Innovative Wearable Fabric for Flexible X-ray Detection and Imaging

Innovative Wearable Fabric for Flexible X-ray Detection and Imaging

Share this article

A breakthrough all-inorganic metafabric scintillator offers a flexible, high-performance alternative to traditional rigid X-ray detectors, paving the way for wearable medical imaging and portable radiation monitoring devices.

2 min read

Since its discovery in 1895 by Wilhelm Roentgen, X-ray technology has become a cornerstone of modern medicine, used for everything from dental imaging and fracture diagnosis to early detection of breast cancer. Traditional X-ray detectors primarily rely on inorganic scintillators, which are rigid and lack flexibility, often requiring patients to adopt awkward positions to fit the imaging equipment. This rigidity presents challenges in applying X-ray technology to wearable devices or flexible applications.

Recent advancements have focused on creating scintillating materials that are not only efficient but also durable and flexible. However, previous flexible scintillators typically suffered from reduced efficiency or limited durability. Addressing these issues, a team led by Li Xu at Hong Kong Polytechnic University has developed a groundbreaking all-inorganic metafabric scintillator that combines high performance with exceptional flexibility.

This innovative fabric, termed X-Wear, is produced using a process called sol-gel electrospinning. This technique employs an electric field to spin a gel crystalline mixture into ultra-fine inorganic fibers, transforming traditional brittle scintillators into a breathable, conformal fabric capable of being woven into various shapes and sizes. The resulting metafabric exhibits a scintillation output ten times higher than previous polymer-based flexible scintillators, making it highly effective in converting X-ray photons into visible light for imaging.

The core principle lies in how radiation interacts with the fabric: high-energy X-rays excite electrons within the scintillator material, which then relax and emit visible photons. These photons are captured by a photodetector, converted into electrical signals, and processed into images. The high atomic number (Z-number) elements in the fabric enhance this process, ensuring efficient X-ray to light conversion.

Although still in the proof-of-concept stage, the X-Wear fabric demonstrates promising potential for use in wearable X-ray imaging devices, mobile health monitoring, radiation detection in hazardous environments, and integrated radiation shielding in comfortable clothing. Future developments aim to incorporate flexible photodetectors and evaluate safety for skin contact and large-scale manufacturing affordability.

This technology could transform medical diagnostics and radiation monitoring by enabling portable, comfortable, and highly efficient X-ray systems that conform to the human body or other surfaces. Continued research will determine its viability for widespread adoption and real-world applications.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-wearable-ray-fabric-flexible-alternative.html

Stay Updated with Mia's Feed

Get the latest health & wellness insights delivered straight to your inbox.

How often would you like updates?

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.

Related Articles

Long-Term Health Care Access Shortages Following Climate Disasters: New Research Insights

Climate-related natural disasters have long-term effects on healthcare infrastructure, leading to sustained shortages in vital health services, especially in vulnerable communities. New research highlights the need for improved disaster resilience and public health investments.

Revolutionizing the Management of Multiple Sclerosis in Older Adults

Experts call for a major overhaul in managing multiple sclerosis in adults over 50, emphasizing personalized care, improved diagnostics, and inclusive research to adapt to demographic shifts.

Increasing Trends in Nonfatal Fentanyl Overdose Emergency Visits Through Q3 2023

Recent CDC research reveals a significant increase in nonfatal fentanyl overdose ED visits through the third quarter of 2023, highlighting ongoing public health concerns and the need for targeted interventions.

Real-World Data Demonstrates Benefits of Teclistamab for Diverse Multiple Myeloma Patients

New real-world evidence shows that teclistamab can provide meaningful benefits to a broader range of multiple myeloma patients, including those with high-risk features and previous therapies, beyond the initial clinical trial population.