LORIX · Project

Printed Organic X-ray Detectors — Cheaper, Lighter, Flexible Flat-Panel Imaging for Industry

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Imagine replacing the heavy, rigid X-ray panels in hospitals and factories with something you can print like a newspaper — flexible, lightweight, and much cheaper to make. LORIX figured out how to print light-sensitive organic materials onto glass and even bendable foil to create large X-ray detectors. Think of it like switching from a bulky glass TV screen to a rollable OLED display, but for X-rays. The result is digital X-ray panels that can go places traditional detectors can't — curved surfaces, portable field equipment, tight industrial inspection spots.

By the numbers

consortium partners covering full value chain

countries in the consortium

85%

industry partner ratio in consortium

industry partners (materials, equipment, integration, systems)

litres — scaled-up batch of optimized ink formulation

technology routes: glass-based (oDOG) and foil-based (oDOF)

target applications: security, health, non-destructive testing

The business problem

What needed solving

Traditional X-ray flat-panel detectors are expensive to manufacture, heavy, rigid, and fragile — limiting where they can be deployed and driving up costs for medical, industrial inspection, and security applications. The transition from analog to digital X-ray imaging demands detectors that are cheaper to produce at large scale, lightweight enough for portable use, and flexible enough to conform to curved surfaces in industrial inspection scenarios.

The solution

What was built

The project built and demonstrated printed organic X-ray flat-panel detectors using two approaches: an organic detector on glass (oDOG) integrating printed organic photodiodes onto existing display-grade TFT backplanes, and an organic detector on foil (oDOF) for fully flexible sensors. Concrete deliverables include operational AOI and ALD pilot equipment with Factory Acceptance Tests passed, detector prototypes with calibration software for security, health, and NDT applications, and a scaled-up 10-litre batch of optimized organic ink formulation.

Audience

Who needs this

NDT equipment manufacturers (GE Inspection, Olympus, YXLON)Medical X-ray panel suppliers (Varex Imaging, Canon Medical, Fujifilm)Security screening system integrators (Smiths Detection, Rapiscan)Flexible electronics manufacturers looking for new sensor applicationsIndustrial inspection service companies needing portable X-ray solutions

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)

mid-size

Target: NDT service providers and equipment manufacturers inspecting pipelines, welds, aerospace parts

If you are an NDT company dealing with heavy, fragile X-ray panels that limit where and how you can inspect — LORIX developed printed organic flat-panel detectors on flexible foil that are lightweight and mechanically robust. These detectors can wrap around curved surfaces like pipes and aircraft fuselages, reaching spots rigid panels cannot. The consortium demonstrated equipment operational at pilot facilities with Factory Acceptance Tests passed, using a formulation scaled up to 10-litre batches.

Medical Imaging

enterprise

Target: Medical device manufacturers and radiology equipment suppliers

If you are a medical imaging company struggling with high manufacturing costs for digital X-ray panels — LORIX developed an organic photodiode printed onto existing thin-film transistor matrices, cutting production costs compared to traditional amorphous silicon detectors. The short-term route integrates printed organic layers on glass substrates already used for displays, meaning existing manufacturing infrastructure can be reused. The project demonstrated detector prototypes with calibration routines developed for clinical applications.

Security Screening

enterprise

Target: Airport and border security equipment manufacturers

If you are a security equipment manufacturer needing large-area, portable X-ray imaging for field deployment — LORIX built flat-panel detectors that offer immediate digital imaging, higher productivity, and lower radiation dose than analog alternatives. The flexible foil-based version enables lightweight, portable screening systems for border checkpoints and event security. With 13 partners across 6 countries and 11 industry players in the consortium, the technology was validated across the full value chain from materials to complete systems.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to adopt this detector technology compared to current X-ray panels?

The project objective states that the glass-based route (oDOG) results in 'highly competitive organic flat-panel detectors with higher performance at lower manufacturing cost' compared to conventional amorphous silicon panels. Specific pricing data is not available in the project records. Contact the coordinator to discuss licensing or supply arrangements.

Can this be manufactured at industrial scale?

Yes — the project used major European pilot facilities including PICTIC in Grenoble and Plastic Logic in the UK and Germany for industrial-scale validation. The AOI and ALD equipment were installed and passed Factory Acceptance Tests at these pilot lines. Ink formulation was scaled up to 10-litre batches, indicating readiness for volume production.

What is the IP situation and how can I license this technology?

The consortium of 13 partners includes 11 industry players and covers the full value chain: material suppliers, equipment manufacturers, detector designers, and system integrators. IP is likely shared among consortium members. Interested companies should contact the coordinator (CEA) to discuss licensing, partnerships, or technology transfer options.

Which applications were actually demonstrated?

Based on deliverable data, the consortium built demonstration plans and detector prototypes for security, health, and non-destructive testing applications. Software calibration routines were developed for the new detectors in each application area. Equipment was installed and operational at pilot platform level.

What is the timeline to get this into my product line?

The project planned market introduction via two routes: the glass-based detector (oDOG) targeting 2020, and the flexible foil-based detector (oDOF) targeting 2022. The project closed in July 2018 with pilot equipment operational. Current commercialization status should be confirmed directly with the consortium partners.

Is this compatible with existing X-ray system infrastructure?

The glass-based route was specifically designed to integrate printed organic photodiode layers onto existing amorphous silicon active matrices already used in display manufacturing. This reuse of established TFT backplane infrastructure lowers integration barriers. The demonstration plan included system configuration design for each target application.

Consortium

Who built it

This is a heavily industry-driven consortium — 11 out of 13 partners are industrial players (85%), with only 1 university and 1 research organization. The coordinator is CEA, France's major atomic and alternative energy commission, which operates the PICTIC pilot line in Grenoble. The consortium spans 6 countries (Germany, Finland, France, Israel, Netherlands, UK) and covers the entire production chain from ink materials and equipment manufacturing through detector design and integration to final system assembly. Plastic Logic (UK/Germany) brings flexible electronics manufacturing expertise. This structure means the technology was developed with direct input from companies that would manufacture and sell the end products, significantly increasing the chance of real market uptake.

COMMISSARIAT A L ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVESCoordinator · FR
PICOSUN OYparticipant · FI
ORBOTECH LTDparticipant · IL
Heraeus Precious Metals GmbH & Co. KGparticipant · DE
TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET MUENCHENparticipant · DE
FLEXENABLE LIMITEDparticipant · UK
TRIXELLparticipant · FR
PHILIPS MEDICAL SYSTEMS NEDERLAND BVparticipant · NL

How to reach the team

CEA (Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives), France — contact via CORDIS project page or CEA-Liten division

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Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to connect with the LORIX team about licensing their printed X-ray detector technology or exploring integration into your product line? SciTransfer can arrange an introduction — contact us for a one-page technology brief.

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