Innovation and Development

Hyperspectral Imager Payload of Tiangong-1 Applies to Multi-fields

Hyperspectral imager(HI) payload, co-developed by CIOMP(Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics, CAS) and SITP (Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, CAS), is one of payloads aboard Chinese first space laboratory Tiangong-1. HI was used by several application units for geological survey, mineral resources prospecting, gas and oil exploration, forest monitoring, hydrological and ecological monitoring, environmental pollution monitoring and analysis and so on when on orbit. HI’s main features such as ‘image and spectrum synthesis’, surface cover identification, landmark optical spectrum information inclusion were taken advantage of by users to carry out pertinent researches. Those studies were fruitful, which suggest that performance specifications like spatial resolution, wavelength range, spectral channel number and ground object classification achieve advanced level of international similar remote sensors. For example, in late 20th century, marine remote sensing was one of key technologies that made great progress on ocean science. National Satellite Ocean Application Service made interpretation and information extraction from Tiangong-1 hyperspectral remote sensing data to monitor coastal zone information and sea ice information, as well as to chart land utilization, coastal wetlands, intertidal zone, coastline evolvement, protected area, oil platforms monitoring information. Researchers in the Institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth, CAS used Tiangong-1 hyperspectral data to monitor urban land-use in Tongzhou area, Beijing, and comparison was made with other remote sensing data during the same period.

New PET System for Human Body Imaging Developed

Scientists from the Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP) recently developed a new type of high-resolution PET system for human body imaging in China. The new PET system has adopted technologies with self-owned intellectual properties, such as the detector, electronics, image reconstruction and domestic LYSO scintillation crystal. After the assembling and commissioning, the system went through a test of a body scanning of a macaque. The scanned image reflected a clear picture of its vivo metabolism. The image resolution of the cone field of view (CFOV) is less than 3.5 mm, better than the standards of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA). In the next phase, scientists will move to the registration and inspection for the medical facility and its clinical trials. Over the years, IHEP has transformed its advantages in mega-science facilities, multi-disciplinary scientific research and the relevant high technologies into many high-tech products. In 1986, China’s first PET scanner for human body was developed. From 2006 to 2012, a new type of animal PET, dedicated PET scanner for breast imaging and animal PET/CT was developed, both being its first kind in China. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a nuclear medical imaging technique that produces a three-dimensional image or picture of functional processes in the body. PET is both a medical and research tool. It is used heavily in clinical oncology (medical imaging of tumors and the search for metastases), and for clinical diagnosis of certain diffuse brain diseases such as those causing various types of dementias. PET is also an important research tool to map normal human brain and heart function, and to support drug development.