Why 1MICRON?

1MICRON is project funded by the EU's EIC Pathfinder Open programme and runs until February 2029. By combining advanced phase-contrast imaging with novel silicon sensor technology, we aim to achieve unprecedented image resolution and contrast—revealing details that are beyond the reach of today's clinical imaging systems.

Our vision is to bridge the gap between conventional medical imaging and microscopic tissue analysis. By capturing highly detailed information directly from X-rays, we seek to provide clinicians with new insights that can improve diagnosis, treatment decisions, and patient outcomes.

A key application area is cancer care. More precise imaging could help surgeons identify tumour boundaries more accurately during procedures, reducing the need for follow-up surgeries and enabling faster, more effective treatment.

Built on cutting-edge monolithic sensor technology, 1Micron explores new ways of measuring both the particle and wave properties of X-rays. The result is a pioneering approach that has the potential to transform medical diagnostics and open the door to future generations of clinical imaging systems.

Our goal is simple but ambitious: to deliver a breakthrough in medical imaging that brings microscopic detail into everyday clinical practice.

Project Objectives

The 1MICRON project aims to:

• Develop novel monolithic silicon sensors capable of detecting individual X-ray photons with exceptional speed and precision.
• Advance phase-contrast X-ray imaging to achieve significantly higher image contrast and resolution than current clinical technologies.
• Enable future medical imaging systems that support earlier diagnosis, improved treatment decisions, and better patient outcomes.
• Demonstrate the potential of the technology in clinically relevant applications, with a particular focus on cancer diagnostics and surgery

Consortium

1MICRON brings together leading European experts in medical imaging, semiconductor technology, microelectronics, pathology, and clinical research.

KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden

Prof. Mats Danielsson
Project Coordinator and pioneer in photon-counting X-ray imaging. Awarded an ERC Advanced Grant in April 2024.

Technical University of Munich (TUM), Germany

Prof. Julia Herzen  
Expert in grating-based phase-contrast X-ray imaging and interdisciplinary biomedical engineering. Recipient of an ERC Consolidator Grant (2023).

University of Trento, Italy

Assoc. Prof. Lucio Pancheri
Specialist in the design and characterisation of integrated circuits for radiation detection.

National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Italy

Dr. Manuel Rolo  
Expert in microelectronics design, production, and testing, with pioneering contributions to monolithic sensor technology.

Prismatic Sensors AB, Sweden

Anders Björklid  
Head of electronics design and highly experienced ASIC designer with nearly three decades of expertise.

Karolinska Institutet

Prof. Johan Hartman
Professor of Pathology, Head of Breast Pathology at Södersjukhuset, and Scientific Director of the Swedish Society of Pathology.

Funding

1MICRON has received funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 101186826.