X-ray 2.0: inside the human body, in incredible color | Anthony and Phil Butler | TEDxChristchurch

When we think of an X-ray, most of us visualize the classic, black-and-white image of bones -- a type of picture that hasn't changed much since the X-ray's invention over 120 years ago. But, leveraging technology from CERN and the Large Hadron Collider, Phil and Anthony Butler -- a father-and-son team -- have brought the humble X-ray into the modern world: full color, incredible resolution, and the ability to individually distinguish almost any type of material on the planet.
In 2007, Phil and Anthony Butler founded MARS Bioimaging Ltd to commercialise spectral imaging technology. Anthony has more than 150 scientific publications, has won numerous awards, and is the lead investigator or co-investigator on over $40m of NZ government research grants. Phil is Member of CERN and the UC leader for participation in the Medipix3 Collaboration. He is an internationally respected mathematical physicist who has founded two companies and three not-for-profit businesses. He served as Head of the Physics and Astronomy Department for 8 years and was Pro-Vice Chancellor of UC for 3 years. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at