T-Ray Technology Moves from the Lab Bench to Marketplace

April 12, 2007
Terahertz waves are the last segment of the electromagnetic spectrum to be exploited by scientists. And, while T-rays show promise for sensing and imaging, the size and weight of the bulky equipment they need have been an obstacle.

Julie Kalista
Online Editor

This is not the case any more, thanks to Brian Schulkin, winner of the first $30,000 Lemelson-Rensselaer Student Prize for his ultra-light, handheld terahertz spectrometer.

"Up until now, T-ray devices were incredibly heavy, not portable, and required large and expensive high-powered lasers," says Schulkin. Schulkin's portable Mini-Z device weighs less than five pounds and is about the size of a laptop computer. It provides real-time data and does not require special training to operate it.

T-rays are based in the terahertz region of the electromagnetic spectrum, defined by frequencies from 0.1 to 10 terahertz - just between infrared light and microwave radiation. They can penetrate many dry, non-metallic materials with better resolution than microwave radiation, without the health risks.

Furthermore, T-rays can provide spectroscopic information about material composition. To prove it, Schulkin and his team conducted tests with foam samples from NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center Lockheed Martin Space Systems. The team embedded defects in specially prepared foam samples, then used T-rays to spot them. In one test, a total of eight man-made defects of various sizes were scattered throughout the sample and successfully detected.

The patent-pending technology could be used in evaluating the integrity of carbon fiber composites used in airplanes, imaging tumors without harmful radiation, detecting explosives at airport security checkpoints, spotting landmines, and seeing biological agents through sealed envelopes.

More Information:
Center for Terahertz Research at Rensselaer


This web-only article appears in the Tech Insider e-newsletter. If you enjoyed this article and would like to read more like it, sign up today for our free e-mail newsletters!

Sponsored Recommendations

Altech's Liquid Tight Strain Relifs Catalog

March 13, 2024
With experienced Product Engineers and Customer Service personnel, Altech provides solutions to your most pressing application challenges. All with one thought in mind - to ensure...

Industrial Straight-Through Cable Gland

March 13, 2024
Learn more about Altech's cable glands and all they have to offer for your needs!

Smooth Sorting with SEW-EURODRIVE!

Feb. 22, 2024
Sorting systems are essential when it comes to warehouse automation, material handling, and distribution. SEW-EURODRIVE’s automated sorting solutions increase capacity, reliability...

Setting the Agricultural Industry in Motion

Feb. 22, 2024
Agricultural products go through specialized processes of harvesting, storing, conveying, cleaning, drying, sorting, and handling to ensure that seasonal products reach the processing...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Machine Design, create an account today!