The scintillator device that converts X-rays to visible light. The Scint-X scintillator is produced with the new ‘micro-electro-mechanical systems’ (MEMS) technology. It was implemented by Swedish company Nanospace to develop miniaturisation solutions for many of the fluid-handling components required in a spacecraft propulsion system, such as valves, pressures sensors, filters, nozzles, heaters and pipes. The manufacturing technique cuts deep, steep-sided holes and trenches in silicon waters, integrating all the mechanical elements, sensors, actuators and electronics on a common silicon substrate. Today, a number of non-space companies and research groups, such as Scint-X, have taken advantage of this new technology and Nanospace’s experience from producing space components in MEMS.