Researchers at the University of Houston have developed an X-ray imaging technique that captures three distinct contrast types in a single exposure — a method they say could improve disease detection and reduce patient radiation dose.

Detailed in an upcoming Optica paper, the system records attenuation, differential phase, and dark-field contrast images in one shot, avoiding the need for multiple exposures or mechanical motion. The project was led by physics researcher Jingcheng Yuan and Mini Das, a Moores professor at the university’s Cullen College of Engineering and College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.

Conventional X-ray and CT imaging rely on attenuation contrast, which captures how X-rays are absorbed by different tissues or materials. While useful for identifying dense structures such as bone, this method often fails to detect subtler features, such as early-stage tumors or microstructural changes in the lungs.
“A lot of the methods being explored often need long imaging time because they require a system component to be moved multiple times — often over 10 or 20 times — to make these multiple image contrasts,” Das said.

The UH team’s approach uses a single slatted mask positioned between the X-ray source and detector, enabling simultaneous capture of the three contrast types. Differential phase imaging tracks how X-rays bend as they pass through an object, improving edge detection and revealing fine structural details. Dark-field imaging measures small-angle scattering, which can highlight microscopic tissue changes or material defects.

Das noted that dark-field imaging may offer particular promise in diagnosing chronic lung diseases, such as COPD, where conventional imaging often fails to detect microstructural damage.

The system is designed to be cost-effective and potentially compatible with existing imaging platforms, making clinical adaptation feasible. Researchers plan to explore its use in small-animal models and human applications including low-dose breast screening and lung imaging.

Beyond healthcare, potential applications include materials testing, security screening, and industrial inspection.

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