This project will pioneer a new medical imaging technology that enables simultaneous ultrasound (US) and electromagnetic (EM) imaging within a single integrated system – something not achieved before, as current approaches acquire US and EM data separately before fusion. Collaborators expect to deliver new scientific and technological foundations for a hybrid imaging platform that integrates US and EM sensing.

The ICF award will be used to strengthen collaboration between the partner institutions and develop a competitive proposal for future European funding, particularly an EIC Pathfinder or ERC application. The main priorities are to refine the joint research vision, establish complementary expertise in US and EM imaging, and align technical objectives through collaborative design workshops and short research visits.

These activities will focus on co-optimising simulation models, defining fabrication strategies, and validating preliminary concepts for a hybrid imaging prototype. The collaboration will also facilitate knowledge exchange in advanced sensors designs, system integration, and multimodal sensing.

By consolidating a strong interdisciplinary team and producing early proof-of-principle results, the ICF activity will lay the groundwork for a high-impact European proposal targeting transformative diagnostic technologies.