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Our T-ray Research Projects

THz Biomolecular Detection

THz radiation can probe biomolecular conformation and large-scale structure, whereas infrared spectroscopy only probes local structure. This project is aimed at exploiting THz spectroscopy to probe the conformation of biomolecules and the dependence on process stress. The elucidation of fundamental mechanisms of THz interaction with biomolecules will lead to improved methods of biomolecuar fingerprinting. This will enable investigation of processing of biomolecular self-assembly and the classification of viral biothreats. This will impact on applications in the area of defence, security, pharmaceutical processing. Investigators: Sam Mickan, Shane Cloude and Derek Abbott. Collaborators: Anton Middelberg, Xi-Cheng Zhang, Giles Davies, Edmund Lindfield and Peter Uhd Jepsen.

THz Signal Classification

THz Package Inspection/3D Imaging for Security

THz Comms for Multimedia

The communications concept exploits the broad wireless bandwidth available with operation at 60 GHz through to THz frequencies, but recognises the costs of components and the limited propagation distances. Operating in broadcast mode (with a high cost at the transmitter end) transmitting at over 1 GBit/sec using CDMA for multichanelling within rooms, could open up new options. Users can move freely with their wireless enabled (low cost receivers) multimedia devices. The return channel could be at 2.5 GHz, as only a low rate would be required. This architecture exploits the advantages of THz or 60 GHz (high bandwidth at no regulatory cost), avoids the disadvantages of high cost components and limited propagation length to meet a potentially high market demand. The aim of the project is to examine the technical and economic feasibility of such a system. A potential application is in a high bandwidth wireless connection to virtual reality googles. Investigators: Reg Coutts, Neil Weste and Derek Abbott. Collaborators: Dan van der Weide.

THz Detection of Cancer

The early detection of skin cancers is critical with respect to treatment and patient survival. Biopsy techniques that are currently employed for such diagnoses are invasive, time consuming and costly. A TeraHertz (THz) imaging system potentially provides a fast and non-invasive way to detect and diagnose skin cancer by imaging the target area at different depths below the skin surface. While there is proof of concept that THz can distinguish cancerous and normal tissue, the mechanisms underlying this differentiation are not well understood. As yet it has not been shown whether THz can be utilised to discriminate malignant and benign skin disease, or different skin cancer types. This study will establish if THz spectroscopy is able to detect skin cancers and differentiate between tumours at various stages of tumourgenesis. Investigators: Tamath Rainsford, Sam Mickan, Derek Abbott. Collaborators: Tim van Doorn, David Findlay, Ross A. McKinnon, Stephen Scammel.

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