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The project, funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation within the Consolider-Ingenio program, includes 11 participating universities and 130 researchers throughout Spain
High-precision imaging aimed at improving airport security
TeraSense researches ways to use the properties of terahertz frequencies for developing new high-precision imaging systems.
01/03/2010
The Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)-Barcelona Tech coordinates and participates in an ambitious Spanish research project, TeraSense, funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation within the Consolider-Ingenio 2010 program and aimed at developing new imaging systems such as scanners equipped with electromagnetic sensors at terahertz frequencies.
The advantage offered by TeraSense is that terahertz waves are capable of penetrating optically opaque materials, imaging and identifying microscopic structures through spectral analysis. In addition, since they are non-ionizing, they are harmless for human use. They hence have multiple potential applications in areas ranging from airport security and medical diagnosis to space exploration and pollution control. “The idea is to take advantage of the frequency range located between light and microwaves, getting the best of both worlds: the resolution of the former and the penetration of the latter”, explains researcher Lluis Jofre, project coordinator and professor at the Department of Signal Theory and Communications at the UPC-Barcelona Tech.
There are currently 16 research groups from 11 Spanish universities involved in the project, with a total of 130 doctors and researchers specializing in electrodynamics, numerical simulation, high-frequency technology, and information fusion. In addition to coordinating the project, the UPC-Barcelona Tech participates with three research groups: the Radar Systems Group, the Radiometric Systems Group, and the Antenna Lab Group.
According to Miguel Ferrando, researcher from the Telecommunications and Multimedia Applications Institute (ITEAM) at the Technical University of Valencia, one of the partners in the TeraSense project, electromagnetic radiation at terahertz frequencies (from 0.1 THz to 10 THz) has drawn major attention in scientific circles on account of its potential for developing advanced imaging systems. “At this point, there is no camera on the market that can take terahertz photographs. These waves can penetrate fabric and detect the presence of explosive substances, hazardous materials, weapons, etc.,” says Ferrando.
This non-ionizing technology offers an alternative to the systems currently used in many of the body scanners in airports, most of which are based on X-ray technology and are the subject of heated debates. Working like radar, the new terahertz system can provide a diffraction image of the human body from which the presence or absence of hazardous substances can be determined.
The advantage offered by TeraSense is that terahertz waves are capable of penetrating optically opaque materials, imaging and identifying microscopic structures through spectral analysis. In addition, since they are non-ionizing, they are harmless for human use. They hence have multiple potential applications in areas ranging from airport security and medical diagnosis to space exploration and pollution control. “The idea is to take advantage of the frequency range located between light and microwaves, getting the best of both worlds: the resolution of the former and the penetration of the latter”, explains researcher Lluis Jofre, project coordinator and professor at the Department of Signal Theory and Communications at the UPC-Barcelona Tech.
There are currently 16 research groups from 11 Spanish universities involved in the project, with a total of 130 doctors and researchers specializing in electrodynamics, numerical simulation, high-frequency technology, and information fusion. In addition to coordinating the project, the UPC-Barcelona Tech participates with three research groups: the Radar Systems Group, the Radiometric Systems Group, and the Antenna Lab Group.
According to Miguel Ferrando, researcher from the Telecommunications and Multimedia Applications Institute (ITEAM) at the Technical University of Valencia, one of the partners in the TeraSense project, electromagnetic radiation at terahertz frequencies (from 0.1 THz to 10 THz) has drawn major attention in scientific circles on account of its potential for developing advanced imaging systems. “At this point, there is no camera on the market that can take terahertz photographs. These waves can penetrate fabric and detect the presence of explosive substances, hazardous materials, weapons, etc.,” says Ferrando.
This non-ionizing technology offers an alternative to the systems currently used in many of the body scanners in airports, most of which are based on X-ray technology and are the subject of heated debates. Working like radar, the new terahertz system can provide a diffraction image of the human body from which the presence or absence of hazardous substances can be determined.
New Security Systems
“One of the outcomes of the project will be a prototype for a passive body scanner that will be able to generate images from the spontaneous radiation emitted by the human body, which requires no source of external radiation, and therefore has no harmful effects on human health”, claims Jordi Romeu, in charge of the UPC-Barcelona Tech's Antenna Lab Group.
Another one of the areas currently being researched is the identification of chemical substances based on natural resonance or spectroscopy. Applied to security systems, these systems make it possible to determine the presence of hazardous chemicals or explosives without requiring the examined individual to remove his or her clothing, and therefore preserving the right to privacy.
“Terahertz frequencies enable us to get detailed measurements and highly precise information about plastic materials such as explosives. These frequencies can penetrate clothing, but not skin, unlike other body scanners such as the X-rays used in medicine", says Miguel Ferrando, of the ITEAM at the Technical University of Valencia. Referring to the effects of radiation, Ferrando explains that the rays that can be harmful are the ones within the visible spectrum—ultraviolet or gamma rays, for example—and particularly high-energy rays, but not the ones emitted by this equipment.
The new advanced security system that will be developed by this project—the passive scanner prototype—will allow for human body imaging in real time using a 2D camera, and will be useful for airport security checks, for example.
Another one of the areas currently being researched is the identification of chemical substances based on natural resonance or spectroscopy. Applied to security systems, these systems make it possible to determine the presence of hazardous chemicals or explosives without requiring the examined individual to remove his or her clothing, and therefore preserving the right to privacy.
“Terahertz frequencies enable us to get detailed measurements and highly precise information about plastic materials such as explosives. These frequencies can penetrate clothing, but not skin, unlike other body scanners such as the X-rays used in medicine", says Miguel Ferrando, of the ITEAM at the Technical University of Valencia. Referring to the effects of radiation, Ferrando explains that the rays that can be harmful are the ones within the visible spectrum—ultraviolet or gamma rays, for example—and particularly high-energy rays, but not the ones emitted by this equipment.
The new advanced security system that will be developed by this project—the passive scanner prototype—will allow for human body imaging in real time using a 2D camera, and will be useful for airport security checks, for example.
Medical diagnosis and pollution control
In medicine, a new tomographic system for imaging biostructures is currently under development. This technology will enable users to gather detailed information about the molecular content of patients' tissues in order to improve medical diagnoses and, specifically, tumor detection, among other applications.
“Our research focuses on developing a tomographic spectrometer and studying electromagnetic resonance of biological structures, proteins, or other structures”, explains Ferrando, of the ITEAM.
Meanwhile, five of the research groups in the project are in the process of developing a new remote sensor to monitor air pollution particle content. This sensor will provide information on the pollution level in the air and further details about the particles that are present in the environment. “There is a growing perception that the development of terahertz technology could open up a new spectrum of opportunities that is somewhat comparable to what microwave technology offered in the 1960s and 70s or optical electronics in the 1970s and 80s", claim the TeraSense researchers.
The project is in its second year and will continue until the end of 2013.
“Our research focuses on developing a tomographic spectrometer and studying electromagnetic resonance of biological structures, proteins, or other structures”, explains Ferrando, of the ITEAM.
Meanwhile, five of the research groups in the project are in the process of developing a new remote sensor to monitor air pollution particle content. This sensor will provide information on the pollution level in the air and further details about the particles that are present in the environment. “There is a growing perception that the development of terahertz technology could open up a new spectrum of opportunities that is somewhat comparable to what microwave technology offered in the 1960s and 70s or optical electronics in the 1970s and 80s", claim the TeraSense researchers.
The project is in its second year and will continue until the end of 2013.
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