physicians rely on nuclear medicine scans, like SPECT scans, to monitor cardiac function, track blood flow, and detect deep-seated diseases. however, current scanners employ expensive detectors that are difficult to manufacture.
now, a team led by northwestern university and soochow university in china has developed the first perovskite-based detector capable of capturing individual gamma rays for spect imaging with record-breaking precision. this advancement could enable sharper, faster, safer, and more affordable nuclear medicine imaging techniques.
for patients, this translates to shorter scan durations, clearer diagnostic results, and reduced radiation exposure. the study, published in nature communications, demonstrates a technological leap in medical imaging.
"perovskites, renowned for revolutionizing solar energy, are now poised to transform nuclear medicine," said mercouri kanatzidis, charles e. and emma h. morrison professor of chemistry at northwestern and senior author of the study. "this is the first concrete evidence that perovskite detectors can deliver the high-precision images required for optimal clinical care."
co-corresponding author yihui he, a professor at soochow university, highlighted both performance enhancement and cost reduction potential: "eventually, this could make advanced imaging technologies accessible to more hospitals and clinics worldwide."
the research team overcame limitations of conventional cadmium zinc telluride (czt) and sodium iodide (nai) detectors. czt detectors, while effective, cost hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars per unit and are brittle, complicating manufacturing. nai detectors, though cheaper, produce lower-resolution images.
by leveraging perovskite crystals—a material studied by kanatzidis for over a decade—the researchers engineered a pixelated sensor architecture similar to smartphone camera sensors. this design achieved unprecedented stability and clarity, distinguishing radioactive sources separated by mere millimeters.
experimental validation demonstrated the detector's ability to differentiate gamma ray energies with the highest resolution reported to date. it successfully captured faint signals from technetium-99m, the most common radiotracer in clinical practice, while maintaining nearly 100% signal stability.
the technology is being commercialized by northwestern spinout actinia inc., which aims to deploy it in hospitals through medical device partnerships. perovskite detectors offer a cost-effective alternative to traditional materials without compromising quality, enabling lower-dose imaging protocols.
"high-quality nuclear medicine should not be restricted to institutions that can afford premium equipment," kanatzidis emphasized. "this technology promises improved diagnostics and patient care globally through enhanced imaging capabilities."
the study, titled "single photon γ-ray imaging with high energy and spatial resolution perovskite semiconductor for nuclear medicine," was published in nature communications (doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-63400-7).
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