Micro-X has won this year’s iF DESIGN AWARD, the world-renowned design prize. The MICRO-X Argus X-ray Camera was the winning product in the category ‘Industry/Tools’. The iF DESIGN AWARD has been organised each year since 1954 by the world’s oldest independent design organization, iF International Forum Design GmbH, located in the German city of Hannover. Micro-X is an Australian hi-tech company that designs, develops and manufactures a range of innovative, ultra-lightweight, X-ray imaging systems for medical and security applications, using proprietary carbon nanotube technology.
Argus X-ray Camera was selected by the 133-member jury, which was made up of independent experts from all over the world. The jury praised its stand-off imaging capability for the detection of conventional and improvised explosive devices. The competition was intense with over 10,000 entrants from 56 countries.
Backscatter technology is based on Compton scattering of X-ray photons back towards the X-ray source from an object. Unlike transmission X-ray imaging, which relies on the partial transmission of X-rays through an object, backscatter X-ray detects the radiation that scatters back from the object and can therefore work even if only one side of the object, for example a suspicious bag, is accessible. Different materials scatter X-ray photons differently allowing an image to be formed from the Compton backscatter.
Spectrum Logic 1615HS Detector
Argus provides the unique flexibility of both high-definition backscatter X-ray imaging and traditional transmission X-ray to identify both conventional and improvised threats. The Argus uses a semi-custom, light weight, low noise Spectrum Logic CMOS X-ray detector for backscatter imaging in combination with Micro-X’s revolutionary X-ray source technology to perform high-definition imaging. This technology permits Argus to capture a backscatter image while stationary without scanning the device across the object of interest. There is also no need for operators to place an X-ray detector behind the object because the highly compact Spectrum Logic 1615HS CMOS X-ray detector is housed within the Argus X-ray Camera. The light weight of the 1615HS detector contributes to the light weight of the Argus X-ray Camera, which is an important aspect of the portable device.
Spectrum Logic’s 1615HS CMOS X-ray detector is ideally suited to this application because its ultralow noise and high sensitivity enables it to detect extremely low dose X-ray backscatter. The unit was customised by Spectrum Logic to minimise the weight of the detector and increase its sensitivity. The iF DESIGN AWARD is one of the most important design prizes in the world. Spectrum Logic is delighted that Argus X-ray Camera has received this prestigious honour.