Quantum dots have enormous potential to revolutionise medical imaging, especially in the area of X-ray imaging. Compared to other technologies, they offer higher image quality with significantly lower radiation doses. The technology can greatly improve the quality, safety, and speed of procedures such as mammography screening and diagnostics.
Quantum dot tech to new markets
Realising this potential, a Dutch deep tech startup QDI Systems has snapped €5 million in seed funding. It follows the €1.3 million seed funding raised by the startup in 2022. The latest round was led by NOM, the Investment and Development Agency for the Northern Netherlands, and was joined by the company’s previous investors Carduso Capital, RuG Ventures, and the renowned Nordic venture capital fund Maki.vc (backed Rentle and Enfuce).
The funding also includes an innovation loan of €1.97 million from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). This prestigious R&D loan is designed for the development of innovative science-based projects with substantial technical risks and excellent market prospects.
The investment will let QDI Systems scale up its revolutionary quantum dots technology for safer, faster medical imaging, and potential industrial applications.
Partnership to develop CMOS imaging chip
In a recent development, QDI Systems entered into collaboration with the Swiss Centre for Electronics and Microtechnology CSEM. As a result of this partnership, the company has developed the first quantum dots-based CMOS imaging chip for X-rays. This breakthrough innovation has potential applications in healthcare, machine vision, and more.
Next-gen X-ray technology
Founded by Artem Shulga in 2019 as a spin-off of the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials at the University of Groningen, QDI Systems develops imaging devices for medical applications, using cutting-edge nanomaterial quantum dots.
Quantum dots are tiny, solution-processable semiconductor nanoparticles that convert photons into electronic signals efficiently. Though this class of materials was discovered several decades ago, quantum dots have only recently appeared in commercial products in imaging and sensor technology. QDI Systems is the first company in the world to apply quantum dots technology to medical imaging such as X-rays and mammography screening.
In addition to X-ray applications, QDI Systems is also developing technology that uses shortwave infrared (SWIR). The use of SWIR presents significant new potential markets for the company, including industrial applications, such as image sensors for sorting processes, and consumer applications like facial recognition for mobile phones.
QDI Systems’ CEO and founder Artem Shulga said, “We are proud to pioneer this technology in medical imaging. Our mission is to provide high-quality images for radiologists for more precise and early-stage diagnostics. We work with image sensing and semiconductor companies, which typically focus on image sensors beyond X-ray. With the shortwave infrared market on the brink of significant growth due to consumer market adoption, this application unlocks a significant market opportunity for us.”
“QDI Systems has shown significant potential to revolutionise medical imaging through the innovative use of quantum dot technology. The team has a unique scientific background, profound technical knowledge, and extensive commercial experience, providing a strong foundation for success,” commented Ytsen van der Meer, Investment Manager at NOM.
“QDI Systems’ groundbreaking application of quantum dots technology is setting new standards in the field of medical imaging. We are thrilled to continue backing Artem Shulga and his team in becoming the leading company in the industry,” added Paavo Räisänen, Partner at Maki.vc.
