Fabrication of a Beeswax-Based Chest Phantom Incorporating Anadara antiquata Shell-Derived CaCO3 for Adult Lung Cancer Simulation

Authors

  • Ardilah Ardilah Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, Diponegoro University, Semarang 50275, Indonesia
  • Choirul Anam Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, Diponegoro University, Semarang 50275, Indonesia
  • Ilham Alkian Research Center for Nanotechnology System, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), South Tangerang 15314, Indonesia
  • Heri Sutanto Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, Diponegoro University, Semarang 50275, Indonesia
  • Nurul Sabihah Zakaria Physics Section, School of Distance Education, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Pulau Pinang 11800, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25077/jif.19.1.40-52.2027

Keywords:

lung cancer, chest phantom, radiodiagnostic, thoracic CT, image quality

Abstract

Lung cancer remains a major cause of cancer mortality, while chest CT requires careful radiation dose optimization. Commercial anthropomorphic phantoms are costly, and shell-derived bone substitutes for chest phantoms with simulated pulmonary nodules remain insufficiently evaluated. This study developed and assessed a low-cost adult chest phantom using locally available materials: polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) for soft tissue, polyurethane (PU) foam for lung tissue, calcium carbonate derived from Anadara antiquata shell waste for bone, and beeswax for a simulated pulmonary nodule. The phantom was scanned using a 128-slice Multi-Slice Computed Tomography (MSCT) scanner with Automatic Exposure Control (AEC) at 80, 100, and 120 kV. Radiometric performance was evaluated using CT numbers, Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), and Contrast-to-Noise Ratio (CNR). Measured CT numbers were −62.59 ± 17.59 HU for beeswax, −915.34 ± 15.65 HU for lung tissue, 113.48 ± 14.64 HU for soft tissue, and 1155.35 ± 170.70 HU for bone. These values were compared with published tissue attenuation ranges. The phantom shows potential for CT image quality assessment and optimization, although further validation is needed to improve lesion representation and establish broader clinical applicability. This approach also explores the reuse of shell waste.

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Published

2026-11-08

How to Cite

Ardilah, A., Anam, C., Alkian, I., Sutanto, H., & Zakaria, N. S. (2026). Fabrication of a Beeswax-Based Chest Phantom Incorporating Anadara antiquata Shell-Derived CaCO3 for Adult Lung Cancer Simulation. JURNAL ILMU FISIKA | UNIVERSITAS ANDALAS, 19(1), 40–52. https://doi.org/10.25077/jif.19.1.40-52.2027

Issue

Vol. 19 No. 1 (2027): March 2027 (Forthcoming Issue)

Section

Research Article

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Copyright (c) 2026 Ardilah Ardilah, Choirul Anam, Ilham Alkian, Heri Sutanto, Nurul Sabihah Zakaria

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