Natural mineral hackmanite enables new method of x-ray imaging

Date:
August 2, 2021
Source:
University of Turku
Summary:
Researchers have discovered a new method of X-ray imaging based
on the coloring abilities of the natural mineral hackmanite. The
international group of researchers also found out how and why
hackmanite changes color upon exposure to X-rays.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Researchers from the University of Turku have discovered a new method of
X-ray imaging based on the colouring abilities of the natural mineral hackmanite. The international group of researchers also found out how
and why hackmanite changes colour upon exposure to X-rays.


========================================================================== Hackmanite is a natural mineral which glows in the dark. It is also known
for its ability to change colour from off-white to pink or violet upon
UV exposure.

In the recently-published study, the mineral's colouring abilities were
studied under exposure to X-rays.

"Previous studies had published initial results about the way hackmanite changes colour upon exposure to X-rays, but it was unclear why and
how this colouring came to be and whether this feature could be useful
somehow. We were the first to attempt X-ray imaging using a surface made
of hackmanite as the image plate, and the results were very exciting,"
says Docent Mika Lastusaari from the University of Turku.

The research group for intelligent photonic materials led by Lastusaari conducts pioneering research of materials with light and colour-related properties at the Department of Chemistry of the University of Turku. The
group creates the hackmanites synthetically, which enables them to control
the properties of the material and adapt it for different uses by adding
or replacing atoms in the basic structure of the material.

"In this research, we studied the behaviour of four types of synthetic hackmanites upon exposure to X-rays in the Karlsruhe synchrotron radiation facility in Germany using a particle accelerator which generates X-rays
with tunable energy. All of the samples were positive surprises, and
we were able to receive valuable information about how adding different
atoms in the basic structure impacts the colouring abilities," explains Doctoral Candidate Sami Vuori.

"We also noticed that the mechanism of colour changing occurs by X-rays exciting the inner shell electrons, unlike with UV radiation, which
causes only the loosest electrons of the outer shells to participate in
the colouration," adds Vuori.

Measuring Radiation Doses and Imaging with the Help of Hackmanite
According to the researchers, hackmanite can be considered to be somewhat
of a miracle material due to its many usage possibilities. Now, the usage repertoire of the mineral will also include X-ray imaging as proven by
an X-ray image of a dead ant's body.

"Using hackmanite for imaging has the advantage that it does not require expensive analysis tools for the image to be seen: you can see the
image with your own eyes and record it with a camera. As an example,
this photo has been taken with a regular DLSR camera after exposure to
X-rays. However, its best feature is that the hackmanite film in the
photo is not a single-use film: the image can be cleared with the help
of light or heat, and a new object can be imaged with the same film,"
explains Doctor Isabella Norrbo, who has written her doctoral thesis
on hackmanites.

The research was conducted in collaboration with the French University
of Lyon, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, and the Brazilian University
of Sa~o Paulo.

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Turku. Note: Content
may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Sami Vuori, Pauline Colinet, Isabella Norrbo, Ralph Steininger, Timo
Saarinen, Heikki Palonen, Petriina Paturi, Lucas C. V. Rodrigues,
Jo"rg Go"ttlicher, Tangui Le Bahers, Mika Lastusaari. Detection of
X‐Ray Doses with Color‐Changing Hackmanites: Mechanism
and Application.

Advanced Optical Materials, 2021; 2100762 DOI:
10.1002/adom.202100762 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/08/210802140137.htm

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