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The Unique Properties of a Rarely Produced Material
Only a small number of companies are capable of producing cadmium zinc telluride, a substance that possesses significant properties.
Undergoing a lung scan can be a lengthy and uncomfortable process, requiring patients to remain still for 45 minutes while lying in a hospital scanner with their arms above their head.

However, patients at Royal Brompton Hospital in London have seen a significant reduction in scan time since the installation of a new device last year, which has cut the examination time down to just 15 minutes.
The new scanner's ability to produce highly detailed, 3D images of patients' lungs can be attributed to its advanced image processing technology and a specialized material called cadmium zinc telluride (CZT).
According to Dr. Kshama Wechalekar, head of nuclear medicine and PET, the scanner's images are of exceptionally high quality, making it a remarkable achievement in engineering and physics.
The CZT used in the scanner was manufactured by Kromek, a British company that is one of the few firms worldwide capable of producing this material, which is playing a key role in revolutionizing medical imaging.
CZT has a wide range of applications, including use in X-ray telescopes, radiation detectors, and airport security scanners, and its demand is increasing due to its unique properties.
Dr. Wechalekar and her team utilize the scanner to investigate lung conditions, such as the presence of small blood clots in patients with long Covid or larger clots known as pulmonary embolisms.
The £1m scanner operates by detecting gamma rays emitted by a radioactive substance injected into patients, allowing for highly accurate images to be produced.
One of the key benefits of the scanner is its sensitivity, which enables it to use lower doses of the radioactive substance – a reduction of around 30% – while still maintaining high image quality.
Although CZT has been available for decades, its production has been limited due to the challenges associated with manufacturing it on an industrial scale, according to Arnab Basu, founding chief executive of Kromek.

Kromek's facility in Sedgefield features 170 small furnaces, where a specialized powder is heated and transformed into a single-crystal structure, a process that takes several weeks to complete.
The resulting CZT is a semiconductor that can detect tiny photon particles in X-rays and gamma rays with high precision, similar to the light-sensing capabilities of a smartphone camera's image sensor.
When a high-energy photon strikes the CZT, it generates an electrical signal that can be used to create an image, a process that is more precise than earlier scanner technologies.
The CZT-based scanner's ability to convert X-ray energy into an electrical signal in a single step makes it a significant improvement over earlier technologies, which used a two-step process.
As Dr. Basu explains, the CZT-based scanner is a digital device that can retain important information such as timing and energy levels, allowing for the creation of detailed, spectroscopic images.
CZT-based scanners are already being used in various applications, including explosives detection at UK airports and scanning checked baggage in some US airports, with plans to expand their use to hand luggage scanning in the near future.
However, accessing CZT can be challenging due to high demand and limited supply.

Researchers like Henric Krawczynski at Washington University in St. Louis have used CZT in the past for space telescopes attached to high-altitude balloons, which detect X-rays emitted by neutron stars and plasma around black holes.
Prof. Krawczynski is currently seeking very thin, 0.8mm pieces of CZT for his telescopes, but is finding it difficult to source them due to high demand and limited availability.
Kromek's Dr. Basu explains that his company is currently supporting many research organizations and is unable to fulfill every request due to the unique requirements of each project.
While Prof. Krawczynski is facing challenges in sourcing CZT, he is exploring alternative options, including using existing CZT or cadmium telluride, for his upcoming mission.
However, the mission, which was scheduled to launch from Antarctica in December, is currently facing delays due to the US government shutdown.
CZT is being used by many researchers, including those involved in a major upgrade of the Diamond Light Source research facility in Oxfordshire, which will improve its capabilities with the installation of CZT-based detectors.

The Diamond Light Source is a synchrotron that produces X-rays by accelerating electrons around a giant ring, which are then directed off to be used in various experiments, such as analyzing materials.
Recent experiments have involved studying impurities in aluminum as it melts, with the goal of improving recycled forms of the metal.
The upcoming upgrade, scheduled for completion in 2030, will significantly increase the brightness of the X-rays produced, requiring the use of CZT-based detectors to detect them accurately.
According to Matt Veale, group leader for detector development at the Science and Technology Facilities Council, the use of CZT is essential for the upgrade, as existing sensors would be unable to detect the increased X-ray intensity.
As a result, CZT has become the material of choice for the Diamond Light Source upgrade, due to its unique properties and ability to detect X-rays with high precision.
News
Tudor to take interim charge of Tottenham
Igor Tudor has reached an agreement to take the reins as Tottenham’s interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
Tottenham has reached an agreement with Igor Tudor to take the helm as interim head coach for the remainder of the current season.
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UAE Defeats Canada to Enhance Super 8s Qualification Chances
The United Arab Emirates boosted their slim chances of advancing to the T20 World Cup Super 8s, securing a narrow five-wicket victory over Canada, thanks in part to Aryansh Sharma’s unbeaten 74.
In a crucial match for the United Arab Emirates, Aryansh Sharma achieved his fifth T20 international half-century, contributing to the team's victory over Canada.
The Men's T20 World Cup, being held in Group D in Delhi, saw an intense competition between the two teams.
Canada's innings resulted in a total of 150-7 after 20 overs, with Harsh Thaker scoring 50 runs off 41 balls, while Junaid Siddique took 5 wickets for 35 runs.
The UAE team responded with a total of 154 runs in 19.4 overs, led by Aryansh Sharma's unbeaten 74 runs off 53 balls and Sohaib Khan's 51 runs off 29 balls, despite Bin Zafar taking 3 wickets for 14 runs.
The United Arab Emirates secured a five-wicket win over Canada, boosting their chances in the tournament.
Aryansh Sharma played a pivotal role in the UAE's win, scoring an unbeaten 74 runs to help his team overcome Canada's total.
With four overs remaining, Canada seemed poised to defend their total, but Sohaib Khan's aggressive batting reignited the UAE's chase, as he scored 17 runs off Dillon Heyliger's bowling.
In the final over, the UAE required eight runs to win, and Aryansh Sharma eased the pressure by hitting a six off Jaskaran Singh's first ball.
Sohaib Khan was dismissed after scoring a rapid 51 runs off 29 balls, including four sixes, leaving the scores level.
Muhammad Arfan then sealed the victory with two balls to spare, hitting a four off Jaskaran Singh, as Aryansh Sharma top-scored with 74 runs off 53 balls.
The UAE now stands third in Group D with two points, but they face an uphill task in their upcoming matches against full members South Africa and Afghanistan to advance to the next phase.
Although the UAE has never beaten a full member in any World Cup format, their performance in this match has given them some confidence.
Earlier in the match, Junaid Siddique achieved the best bowling figures by a UAE player in a T20 World Cup, taking 5 wickets for 35 runs at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
Harsh Thaker's 41-ball half-century, which included three sixes and two fours, provided a solid foundation for Canada's total.
Thaker and Navneet Dhaliwal shared a 58-run partnership to help Canada recover from a difficult start, before Dhaliwal was run out for 34 runs.
After Thaker fell victim to Junaid Siddique's slower ball, Canada struggled to find boundaries against the UAE's tight bowling.
Shreyas Movva made a useful contribution of 21 runs off 21 balls, but Junaid Siddique took two wickets in the final over to claim his maiden five-wicket haul in T20 internationals.
In a separate match, Zimbabwe's Brilliant Muzarabani played a key role in his team's stunning win over Australia.
For more updates, notifications, and social media coverage, visit the BBC Sport website.
In another development, Paul Stirling has been ruled out of the remainder of the T20 World Cup due to injury.
News
Guardiola Advocates for Cultural Embrace to Foster a Better Society
Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, has stated that accepting diverse cultures will lead to a more harmonious society, in reaction to comments made by Sir Jim Ratcliffe regarding immigration.
As a player, Pep Guardiola earned 47 international caps for Spain, showcasing his skills on the global stage.
Manchester City's manager, Pep Guardiola, believes that embracing diverse cultures is essential for creating a more harmonious society.
Guardiola was questioned about his thoughts on comments made by Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who stated that the UK had been "colonised by immigrants", sparking a debate.
Following criticism, Ratcliffe apologised for any offence caused, while still advocating for open discussion on the issue.
Ahead of Manchester City's FA Cup fourth-round match against Salford, Guardiola shared his perspective, saying that people seek better lives and opportunities, which can be found in their birthplace or elsewhere.
According to Guardiola, one's birthplace is not a determining factor in their potential or aspirations.
Many individuals are forced to leave their homelands due to problems in their native countries, rather than a desire to abandon their roots.
Guardiola emphasized that by genuinely embracing other cultures, society as a whole can improve, a notion he has no doubts about.
An examination of the facts behind Jim Ratcliffe's statements on immigration and benefits is also underway.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a billionaire, has made headlines, but who is he and how did he accumulate his wealth?
Born in Santpedor, Catalonia, Spain, Guardiola has had a diverse career, playing in Spain, Italy, Qatar, and Mexico, before transitioning to management.
As a manager, the 55-year-old has had stints in Spain, Germany, and England, taking the helm at Manchester City in 2016.
Guardiola views the issue of immigration as a global problem, stating that it is a concern that affects many countries.
He believes that immigrants are often unfairly blamed for problems in their adopted countries, highlighting the fact that one's birthplace is often a matter of circumstance.
Guardiola reiterated that people from all backgrounds strive for a better life, seeking opportunities that may be available in their birth country or elsewhere.
He stressed that factors such as skin colour or birthplace should not be barriers to achieving one's goals.
For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Manchester City, please refer to our dedicated section.
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