Why Current Detectors Fall Short

Nuclear medicine techniques like SPECT (Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography) operate much like an invisible camera. Doctors inject a small amount of a safe, short-lived radiotracer into a specific part of the body. This tracer emits gamma rays that pass-through tissues and are detected by sensors outside the body. Each gamma ray represents a single “pixel” of light, and when millions of these are captured, computers reconstruct them into a 3D image showing how organs function.

Figure 1. World’s First Perovskite Camera Reveals the Human Body in Unprecedented Detail.

Current detectors are usually made from cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) or sodium iodide (NaI), but both have significant limitations. CZT detectors, while highly effective, are prohibitively expensive—often costing hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars per unit—and their brittle crystals make large-scale production challenging. NaI detectors, though more affordable, are bulkier and produce lower-quality images, akin to viewing through a fogged glass. Figure 1 shows World’s First Perovskite Camera Reveals the Human Body in Unprecedented Detail.

To overcome these issues, the research team turned to perovskite crystals—a material that Kanatzidis has explored for over a decade. His group pioneered the first solid-film perovskite solar cells in 2012 and demonstrated in 2013 that single perovskite crystals could successfully detect X-rays and gamma rays. This breakthrough, made possible through precise crystal growth techniques, ignited global interest and established perovskites as a promising class of materials for radiation detection.

Highlighting the achievement, Kanatzidis remarked, “This work shows just how far perovskite detectors have come beyond the lab. Back in 2013, we could only imagine their potential for X-ray and gamma-ray detection. Now, we’re proving that perovskite-based detectors can achieve the resolution and sensitivity required for advanced applications like nuclear medicine imaging. It’s thrilling to see this technology on the path to real-world use.”

He led the design and development of the prototype gamma-ray detector, creating its pixelated architecture, refining the multi-channel readout electronics, and conducting high-resolution imaging experiments to verify the system’s performance. Together with Kanatzidis and their team, he demonstrated that perovskite-based detectors can deliver record-breaking energy resolution and unmatched single-photon imaging precision—marking a major step toward integrating this technology into next-generation nuclear medicine imaging systems.

Reflecting on the achievement, He said, “Designing this gamma-ray camera and proving its capabilities has been incredibly fulfilling. By combining high-quality perovskite crystals with a precisely optimized pixelated detector and multi-channel readout system, we achieved unprecedented energy resolution and imaging performance. This work highlights the transformative potential of perovskite-based detectors to redefine the future of nuclear medicine imaging.”

In testing, the new detector achieved unprecedented precision—distinguishing between gamma rays of different energies with the highest resolution ever recorded. It also detected extremely weak signals from technetium-99m, a radiotracer widely used in clinical diagnostics, and captured remarkably detailed images capable of resolving tiny radioactive sources just millimeters apart. The detector demonstrated exceptional stability, efficiently collecting nearly all of the tracer’s signal without noticeable loss or distortion. With this enhanced sensitivity, patients may require shorter scan times or lower radiation doses, improving both comfort and safety.

To bring this breakthrough into real-world use, Northwestern spinout Actinia Inc. is commercializing the technology in partnership with medical device companies. Perovskite detectors, which are easier and cheaper to produce than their CZT and NaI counterparts, offer a cost-effective yet high-performance alternative. They could enable high-quality imaging at significantly lower cost—making advanced nuclear medicine accessible to more hospitals and patients.

“Proving that perovskites can deliver single-photon gamma-ray imaging is a true milestone,” said He. “It confirms that these materials are ready to move beyond research and into technologies that directly impact human health. From here, we aim to enhance the detectors further, scale production, and explore new frontiers in medical imaging.”

Kanatzidis added, “High-quality nuclear medicine shouldn’t be limited to hospitals that can afford the most expensive equipment. With perovskites, we can make scans clearer, faster, and safer for patients everywhere. Ultimately, this means better imaging, more accurate diagnoses, and improved care for all.”

Source: SciTECHDaily

Cite this article:

Priyadharshini S (2025), World’s First Perovskite-Based Camera Offers Glimpse Inside the Human Body, AnaTechMaz, pp.396