VOXEL · Project

3D X-Ray Imaging Without CT Rotation at Extremely Low Radiation Dose

healthPrototypeTRL 4Thin data (2/5)

Getting a CT scan today means lying inside a big rotating machine that blasts you with a significant dose of radiation. Imagine instead a simple camera that takes a single X-ray shot and reconstructs a full 3D image — no rotation, no high dose. That's what VOXEL built: prototype cameras that capture volumetric X-ray images the way a light field camera captures depth in photography, but using far less radiation than conventional tomography.

By the numbers

EUR 3,996,875

EU contribution for R&D

consortium partners

countries in consortium

prototype cameras built (hard and soft X-ray)

total deliverables completed

The business problem

What needed solving

Medical CT scans expose patients to significant radiation doses, limiting how often they can be repeated — a real problem for monitoring chronic conditions or screening. Current 3D X-ray imaging requires expensive rotating equipment that is slow, bulky, and complex to operate, making it impractical for point-of-care or high-throughput settings.

The solution

What was built

The team built 2 working prototype cameras: a hard X-ray light field camera for medical 3D imaging and a soft X-ray water window microscope for biological nano-tomography. Across the project, 11 deliverables were completed covering the physics, mathematics, and engineering of single-shot volumetric X-ray capture.

Audience

Who needs this

Medical imaging device manufacturers (Siemens Healthineers, GE Healthcare, Philips)Biological microscopy and instrumentation companiesIndustrial NDT and quality inspection equipment makersHospital radiology departments seeking low-dose alternativesPharmaceutical companies needing cellular-level 3D imaging for drug research

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Medical imaging equipment

enterprise

Target: Medical device manufacturers producing CT or X-ray systems

If you are a medical device manufacturer struggling with the growing concern over cumulative radiation exposure in patients — this project developed prototype hard X-ray 3D cameras that capture volumetric images without rotating the source or sample. With an 8-partner consortium across 5 countries, the technology could enable a new generation of low-dose imaging devices for diagnostics where repeated scans are needed.

Biological research instrumentation

mid-size

Target: Companies making microscopy equipment for life science labs

If you are an instrumentation company looking for next-generation microscopy capabilities — this project built a soft X-ray water window microscope prototype for biological nano-tomography. The camera combines X-ray penetration with nanometre spatial resolution, opening applications in cellular imaging and biological research that existing optical microscopes cannot reach.

Industrial non-destructive testing

any

Target: NDT and quality inspection companies

If you are an inspection company that needs to see inside components without damaging them — this project's 3D X-ray camera technology eliminates the need to rotate the object being scanned. For production-line quality control where speed and simplicity matter, a single-shot volumetric X-ray could replace slow CT-based inspection setups.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would this technology cost compared to current CT systems?

Based on available project data, specific pricing is not disclosed. The EU invested EUR 3,996,875 across the full R&D program with 8 partners. Since the technology eliminates the need for rotating gantries and reduces scan complexity, production costs for a commercial device could potentially be lower than conventional CT, but no cost projections are provided in the data.

Can this scale to industrial or clinical production volumes?

The project produced prototype-level devices — both soft and hard X-ray light field cameras. The hard X-ray camera is described as having high technological risk, meaning significant engineering work remains before volume manufacturing. The consortium included 1 industry partner and 1 SME, suggesting early-stage commercialization planning.

What is the IP and licensing situation?

The project was funded under FET Open (Future and Emerging Technologies), with IP typically retained by the consortium partners. The coordinator is IST-ID in Portugal. Based on available project data, specific patent filings or licensing terms are not disclosed in the public records.

How much does this actually reduce radiation dose?

The project objective states the goal is 3D X-ray imaging at 'extremely low dose' and 'very low dose,' but does not quantify the exact reduction factor compared to conventional CT. The dose reduction comes from eliminating the need for multiple rotational exposures — a single shot replaces a full rotation scan.

What was actually built and demonstrated?

The project delivered 11 deliverables total, including 2 prototype demonstrations: a hard X-ray light field prototype (led by IST with IO, CNR, and LOA) and a soft X-ray light field prototype (led by CEA with IO and LOA). These are physical camera prototypes, not just simulations.

Is this approved for medical use?

Based on available project data, no regulatory approval is indicated. The project ended in 2019 as a research and innovation action. Medical device certification (CE marking, FDA clearance) would require additional clinical validation steps beyond the scope of this project.

Who would I contact to explore this technology?

The coordinator is IST-ID (Instituto Superior Técnico) in Portugal. The consortium spans 5 countries (ES, FR, IT, NL, PT) with 5 research organizations, 2 universities, and 1 industry partner. SciTransfer can help identify the right contact for commercial discussions.

Consortium

Who built it

The VOXEL consortium of 8 partners across 5 countries (Spain, France, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal) is heavily research-oriented, with 5 research organizations and 2 universities making up 88% of the partnership. Only 1 industry partner and 1 SME participated, giving a 12% industry ratio — typical for a FET Open frontier research project. The coordinator IST-ID in Portugal led the effort. For a business looking to license or co-develop this technology, the low industry involvement means the path to commercialization would likely require a strong industrial partner to take the prototypes through engineering, certification, and manufacturing.

IST-ID ASSOCIACAO DO INSTITUTO SUPERIOR TECNICO PARA A INVESTIGACAO E O DESENVOLVIMENTOCoordinator · PT
ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUEthirdparty · FR
IMAGINE OPTIC SAparticipant · FR
COMMISSARIAT A L ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVESparticipant · FR
CONSIGLIO NAZIONALE DELLE RICERCHEparticipant · IT
CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRSparticipant · FR
STICHTING NEDERLANDSE WETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERZOEK INSTITUTENparticipant · NL
UNIVERSIDAD POLITECNICA DE MADRIDparticipant · ES

How to reach the team

IST-ID in Portugal coordinated; SciTransfer can locate the PI's contact details for commercial discussions

Order a report on this consortium See IST-ID ASSOCIACAO DO INSTITUTO SUPERIOR TECNICO PARA A INVESTIGACAO E O DESENVOLVIMENTO profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore licensing or co-development of this low-dose 3D X-ray technology? SciTransfer can connect you with the research team and prepare a technology brief.

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