Focused on the R&D of "cold cathode" X-ray source technology, "Xinhong Electronics" secures strategic financing worth hundreds of millions of yuan | Exclusive from 36Kr
36Kr learned that Xinhong Electronics, a company engaged in the R & D of X-ray technology and imaging applications, recently completed a strategic financing of hundreds of millions of yuan. This round of financing was led by CNNC Fund, followed by China Vision Valley Fund, Lotus Pond Venture Capital, and Changzhou Jintan District Industrial Mother Fund. The raised funds will be used to expand the production capacity of the innovative "cold cathode" X-ray source and promote the R & D and commercialization of solutions in fields such as medical imaging, industrial non-destructive testing, and security inspection.
Founded in 2015, Xinhong Electronics focuses on the R & D and industrialization of carbon nanotube "cold cathode" distributed X-ray source technology. It has now achieved stable mass production and large-scale supply of this technology globally and can provide a full set of X-ray source solutions for radiation imaging fields such as medical treatment, security inspection, and industrial non-destructive flaw detection.
In recent years, with the development of innovative devices such as mobile CT and rapid CT, various application requirements have also been increasing. For example, how to achieve high power in a smaller volume to meet the needs of rapid scanning and high-definition imaging. This puts forward higher requirements for the production of X-ray sources.
The "cold cathode" X-ray source generates X-rays through the field emission of electrons from carbon nanotubes and does not rely on the high-temperature heating process of traditional hot cathodes. It has the advantages of fast response speed, low power consumption, and easy integration. For this reason, in recent years, many overseas imaging equipment companies have been deploying in this field. However, due to factors such as the complex preparation of carbon nanotube cathodes, large fluctuations in field emission current, high difficulty in process integration, and high R & D costs, there are not many enterprises with the self-developed ability of "cold cathode" X-ray sources and have formed industrialization.
At the beginning of its establishment, Xinhong Electronics began to conduct R & D and layout based on the theory of carbon nanotube "cold cathode" technology and formed three core technologies of "high-emissivity carbon nanotubes", "high-current cold cathodes", and "distributed multi-focal points" around the innovative X-ray source.
Taking the distributed multi-focal point technology as an example, generally, the point where the electrons emitted by the cathode are focused on the target is called the focal point. The more focal points distributed in the ray source, the more information about the object's posture and structure can be obtained. "The multi-focal distributed X-ray source we developed can switch X-rays at different positions through a new field emission electron control system, realize multi-angle rapid scanning, obtain high-definition image quality, and provide static three-dimensional imaging solutions for various imaging applications." A relevant person in charge of Xinhong Electronics said.
With the gradual maturity of technology R & D, Xinhong Electronics' products have also been applied in more industries. In 2021, Xinhong Electronics began to enter the medical industry and focused on the medical imaging market. Taking the company's practice in the oral field as an example, X-ray imaging equipment is an important clinical diagnosis and treatment device. However, the existing imaging technology "hardly balances rapid high-definition, low-dose, and three-dimensional panoramic imaging". To solve this problem, Xinhong Electronics introduced the "cold cathode" multi-focal X-ray source into oral imaging. Its intraoral X-ray three-dimensional imaging system can achieve more detailed three-dimensional imaging, thereby presenting the patient's oral condition more comprehensively and helping doctors identify subtle dental lesions.
It is understood that Xinhong Electronics has reached a cooperation with a North American enterprise on its intraoral low-dose 3D imaging technology, and the relevant products were approved for listing by the US FDA in 2021.
Schematic diagram of Xinhong Electronics' intraoral X-ray three-dimensional imaging system
In addition, Xinhong Electronics has also made arrangements for the imaging of tissues such as the breast, chest, head, and joints with the "cold cathode" multi-focal X-ray source technology.
Investors' Views
Zhao Xin, the Party Secretary and Chairman of CNNC Fund, said that Xinhong Electronics' X-ray source technology is highly consistent with the high-quality development industrial layout of CNNC Group in the field of nuclear technology applications. A series of high-end X-ray source products it launched can help promote the upgrading of high-end imaging equipment in China in the medical field; in the field of industrial non-destructive flaw detection, it can provide precise "insight" capabilities for high-end manufacturing such as aerospace and new energy; in the field of public safety, its high-speed and high-resolution imaging ability is the core technological foundation for building a solid defense line for intelligent security inspection and anti-smuggling activities. This is the 'infrastructure' for building the future of China's nuclear technology application industry, which also means that we have the opportunity to reconstruct the global industrial chain and value chain of high-end radiation imaging equipment. We will fully promote the in-depth collaboration between Xinhong Electronics and enterprises within the CNNC system, accelerate the implementation and iteration of its technology in various application scenarios, and jointly create a more resilient and competitive industrial ecosystem.
Luo Zhihong, the Investment Director of Hangshi Asset Management of China Vision Valley Fund, said that we saw an opportunity for a platform-based technology with an incredibly high application ceiling. This team has the ability to transform globally leading technology into products that define the global market. We believe that Xinhong Electronics' innovative technology and high-performance core components will become one of the key engines driving the rapid upgrading of high-end medical imaging equipment, industrial non-destructive testing, and intelligent security inspection systems. China Vision Valley Fund will utilize our ecological resources in the field of cutting-edge technology to connect more resources for Xinhong Electronics, including top AI algorithm partners and scenario application parties, and accompany the company to grow into a leading enterprise in the global intelligent imaging field.