Fantastic new technology from the Large Hadron Collider.  This is an excellent example of practical applications derived from deep scientific research.

MARS Spectral X-ray Scanner – Smithsonian Magazine

“The updated x-ray machine, called the MARS Spectral X-ray Scanner, however, is able to reveal detail of bones, soft tissue and other components of the body with incredible clarity. That’s because the scanner uses a highly sensitive chip called the Medipix3, which acts like the sensor in a digital camera, except much more advanced. In fact, according to a press release, the Medipix was developed from technology created by the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), used to detect particles in its Large Hadron Collider, the world’s largest particle accelerator. The chip can count the photons hitting each pixel and determine their energy level. From that information a series of algorithms is then able to determine the position of things like bone, fat, cartilage and other tissues, which are then colorized.”

Interesting development, considering CT scanners essentially do this currently, without colorization and with slightly different algorithms.