Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and Florida-based startup Blue Physics Inc., working through a public-private partnership (PPP), are developing a portable water tank that is setting a new benchmark for innovation in cancer treatment. The project focuses on creating a foldable “phantom” that could reduce the time and cost of calibrating medical linear accelerators (LINACs). These machines deliver radiation therapy to cancer patients worldwide, and accurate calibration is essential for patient safety.
Traditionally, water tanks used for LINAC calibration are bulky, rigid, and expensive, often priced at $250,000. Transporting them between clinics can cost over $2,000 per move, which makes them impractical for smaller hospitals and rural facilities. The VCU, Blue Physics partnership seeks to solve this by creating a lightweight, portable alternative that keeps the same high safety and quality standards.
In radiation therapy, accuracy is critical. The water tank “phantom” simulates human tissue, enabling physicists to measure and verify the radiation dose and beam shape from LINAC machines. Every LINAC, even of the same model, works slightly differently and needs regular calibration to ensure treatments remain safe and effective.
VCU’s portable design could cut commissioning time from weeks to a single day. This improvement is vital for clinics in developing countries and remote areas, where delays in machine readiness can postpone treatments. For care providers, saved time directly translates into lives saved and reduced operational costs.
The PPP combines VCU’s clinical expertise with Blue Physics Inc.’s proprietary plastic scintillator technology, detectors that glow when struck by radiation. This technology is faster and more precise than traditional detectors, making it ideal for portable applications. Blue Physics founder Marcos Feijoo, with 18 years at a LINAC manufacturer, saw the need for modernization.
William Song, Ph.D., professor of radiation oncology at VCU, and Feijoo are developing the tank while embedding smart detection systems and software. Their collaboration has led to a joint patent filing and prototype development, supported by VCU’s Commercialization Fund.
The U.S. LINAC market, valued at $1.03 billion in 2024, is expected to grow by 6% annually. Globally, the market is projected to exceed $5 billion, driven by rising cancer rates, technological advances, and investments in oncology infrastructure. Affordability remains a key factor for adoption in emerging markets.
VCU’s Portable Water Tank PPP could retail for less than $50,000, one-fifth the cost of traditional models. This price point could give hospitals in low- and middle-income countries access to advanced calibration tools. Lower purchase and transport costs could significantly improve global access to quality radiation therapy.
Beyond clinical use, the project serves as an educational platform. The VCU College of Engineering has made the design a capstone project, giving students hands-on experience. Interest has also come from institutions and companies in Japan, Italy, and other international markets, proving its global relevance.
The VCU–Blue Physics collaboration is a clear example of a PPP delivering practical, scalable solutions without overcomplicating existing systems. Instead of reinventing radiation therapy calibration, the partners improved its portability, cut costs, and upheld international dosimetry standards.
This approach fits a growing trend in healthcare PPPs: focusing on cost-effective innovation that improves accessibility. Governments and healthcare providers value partnerships that bridge resource gaps in high-cost medical technology.
For William Song, the project is personal. His wife recently underwent radiation therapy, giving him insight into the urgency of reducing downtime for LINAC machines. “Every day a machine is offline is a day someone’s cancer treatment is delayed,” Song says. This patient-focused perspective strengthens the mission to deliver faster, more affordable, and more equitable cancer care worldwide.
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