Reference number : GC-2017-Q4-01531, amendment number : , agreement type : G, recipient legal name : Reznik, Alla (Lakehead University), recipient country : CA, recipient province : nan, recipient city : Ontario, recipient postal code : nan, program name english : Engage Grants for universities, program name french : Subventions d'engagement partenarial pour les universités, program purpose english : Direct conversion x-ray detectors opened a new era in radiation medical imaging. Indeed, state-of-the-art direct_x000D_
conversion mammographic detectors offer supreme detectability of small breast lesions not achievable with_x000D_
other methods. Currently, mammographic direct conversion detectors employ a layer of amorphous selenium_x000D_
(a-Se) to convert x-rays into measurable signal. Although a-Se offers probably unbeatable performance for_x000D_
mammographic applications, it is a "soft" (i.e. low atomic number Z) material and suffers from suboptimal_x000D_
absorption of energetic X-rays, used in general radiography. To extend diagnostic capabilities of the direct_x000D_
conversion detectors over radiographic and fluoroscopic energy range, a-Se has to be replaced with high Z_x000D_
material, which can efficiently stop energetic X-rays. The applicant, Dr. Alla Reznik and her research group at_x000D_
Lakehead University recently synthesized an amorphous lead oxide (a-PbO) which became one of the most_x000D_
promising candidates for this purpose, due to high Z of Pb, high theoretical X-ray-to-signal conversion_x000D_
efficiency, adequate photoconductive properties and technological compatibility with flat panel detector_x000D_
technology. Although very promising, a-PbO layers are still experimental and require technological advances_x000D_
for practical utilization. Intlvac Inc., a Canadian leader in oxide deposition technology and currently looking to_x000D_
enter the market of radiation-sensitive coatings. Intlvac is interested in commercial success of PbO and will_x000D_
collaborate with Dr. Reznik to make detector-grade a-PbO layers. We believe that utilization of a-PbO has a_x000D_
potential to create the most powerful x-ray diagnostic imaging systems to the benefit of healthcare in Canada_x000D_
and worldwide by allowing the dose reduction or improvement of image quality at typical exposures., program purpose french : Direct conversion x-ray detectors opened a new era in radiation medical imaging. Indeed, state-of-the-art direct_x000D_
conversion mammographic detectors offer supreme detectability of small breast lesions not achievable with_x000D_
other methods. Currently, mammographic direct conversion detectors employ a layer of amorphous selenium_x000D_
(a-Se) to convert x-rays into measurable signal. Although a-Se offers probably unbeatable performance for_x000D_
mammographic applications, it is a "soft" (i.e. low atomic number Z) material and suffers from suboptimal_x000D_
absorption of energetic X-rays, used in general radiography. To extend diagnostic capabilities of the direct_x000D_
conversion detectors over radiographic and fluoroscopic energy range, a-Se has to be replaced with high Z_x000D_
material, which can efficiently stop energetic X-rays. The applicant, Dr. Alla Reznik and her research group at_x000D_
Lakehead University recently synthesized an amorphous lead oxide (a-PbO) which became one of the most_x000D_
promising candidates for this purpose, due to high Z of Pb, high theoretical X-ray-to-signal conversion_x000D_
efficiency, adequate photoconductive properties and technological compatibility with flat panel detector_x000D_
technology. Although very promising, a-PbO layers are still experimental and require technological advances_x000D_
for practical utilization. Intlvac Inc., a Canadian leader in oxide deposition technology and currently looking to_x000D_
enter the market of radiation-sensitive coatings. Intlvac is interested in commercial success of PbO and will_x000D_
collaborate with Dr. Reznik to make detector-grade a-PbO layers. We believe that utilization of a-PbO has a_x000D_
potential to create the most powerful x-ray diagnostic imaging systems to the benefit of healthcare in Canada_x000D_
and worldwide by allowing the dose reduction or improvement of image quality at typical exposures., agreement title english : Lead Oxide (PbO) technology optimization, agreement title french : Lead Oxide (PbO) technology optimization, agreement number : EGP, agreement value : 25000.0, agreement start date : 2018-02-07, agreement end date : nan, description english : nan, description french : nan, expected results english : nan, expected results french : nan, additional information english : Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year (2017-2018 to 2018-2019)., additional information french : Subvention ou bourse octroyée s'appliquant à plus d'un exercice financier (2017-2018 à 2018-2019)., owner organization : nserc-crsng, owner organization title : Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada | Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada