Feasibility study for SiC coatings for silicon field emitters ["Coating Feasibility"]

**PD1\. Background**: Adaptix, a UK SME, has developed a novel affordable 20kg point-of-care 3D X-ray orthopaedic imaging system using 'Digital Tomosynthesis' ('DT'). One 3D extremity scan is approximately 0.001 mSv of radiation The FDA 510(k) was granted in Jan 2023\. CE Mark is in progress. The system gives a far better image than 2D but is currently 'static'. The core technology of the novel hardware pertains to the use of silicon field emitters,

**PD2\. Project proposal**: This proposal relates to Proof-of-Concept validation as to the use of a novel coating for our silicon field emitters that will given enhanced life and enable new functionality. We will work with a leading UK university to deliver this (the University of Warwick).

The focus of the project is to extend the capability of the (static) 3D device to allow (dynamic) 3D fluoroscopy through enhanced electron current (which will result in enhanced X-ray flux) to allow faster acquisition time by 'hardening' existing field emitters.

If this is successful, as part of the subsequent major project we will:

* Extend the coating approach with various coatings, various processes and various post-production treatments
* Trial Field Emitters made entirely of non-standard materials and integrate them using standard production techniques (e.g., 'pick-and-place') to reduce production cost.

**PD3\. Relevance to grant call**:

_"understanding the existing facilities and capabilities"_: Adaptix currently works with the following foundries: Harwell (Oxfordshire) as the Research Foundry, SMC (Edinburgh) as the Development Foundry, and SEMEFAB (Glenrothes, Scotland) as the Manufacturing Foundry. This project would extend the foundries that Adaptix works with.

_"identifying best practice"_: The University of Warwick has experience with novel materials with which Adaptix does not have experience. This project will help Adaptix understand best practice with respect to these new materials.

_"establishing innovations and new manufacturing techniques"_: The application pertains to using novel materials within the production of semiconductor field emitters and applying them using new methods

_"encouraging new collaborations across industry and academia"_: This would be the first formal collaboration between the partners.