Tech Briefs Magazine - May 2021 - PIT-24

Novel Flexible Terahertz Camera Can Inspect Objects with Diverse
Shapes
Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo, Japan)
n today's digital age, the use of " Internetof-Things " devices (embedded with software and sensors) has become widespread. These devices include wireless
equipment, autonomous machinery,
wearable sensors, and security systems.
Because of their intricate structures and
properties there is a need to scrutinize
them closely to assess their safety and utility and rule out any potential defects. But,
at the same time, damage to the device
during inspection must be avoided.
Terahertz (THz) imaging, based on
radiation with frequencies between 0.1
and 10 THz, is one such non-destructive
method that is rapidly gaining popularity
owing to its high penetration, resolution,
and sensitivity. Conventional THz cameras, however, are bulky and rigid, thereby
limiting their potential in imaging uneven
surfaces. Moreover, their high cost and
lack of versatility in sensor configurations
make them a rather impractical alternative, calling for more adaptable sensors.
To this end, a team of researchers from
Tokyo Tech, led by Associate Professor

I

Yukio Kawano, have addressed this gap by
designing a flexible and free-standing THz
sensor array that can be used to image
blind ends of irregularly shaped objects.
" Given the diversity in shapes, structures, and sizes of test objects, the camera design and sensor must be adapted
to conform to different configurations.
In our study, we have developed a simple
and cost-effective fabrication method for
generating THz cameras with adaptable
shapes, " said Dr. Kawano.
The scientists knew that the material
used in such sensors must have good
absorption in the THz spectrum along
with a high efficiency of converting emissions into detectable electric signals. For
this reason, they selected carbon nanotube (CNT) films, which also possess
good mechanical strength and flexibility.
They passed the CNT solution through a
polyimide film with laser-induced slits and
a membrane filter using a vacuum. Upon
drying, the CNT solution remained as a
free-standing suspended structure between the layers of the patterned poly-

imide film. Further, they developed a simple fabrication process based on the selfassembly of CNT film array and its ability
to form electrodes at both ends.
For this, they evaporated metal electrodes over the patterned polyimide film.
Together, these processes generated a
THz camera patch sheet with multiple
cameras. Interestingly, the structure of
the suspended CNT film could be modified by altering the filtering conditions
and thus the frictional force, making the
process customizable.
Moreover, the patch sheet could be cut
with scissors into smaller portable and
wearable sensors that can be attached to
the surface of the test object for better coverage. The researchers were able to
demonstrate its industrial applications by
detecting and visualizing cracks, impurities and uneven coating of polymers in a
resin and by detecting sludge within a bent
pipe, thus underscoring the potential of
the camera for quality control operations.
For more information, contact Kazuhide
Hasegawa at media@jim.titech.ac.jp.

A Powerful Tool for Non-destructive Imaging: Novel, Adjustable Terahertz Camera Sensor
New adjustable THz camera sensor

Terahertz (THz) imaging
is a non-destructive
imaging method for
inspecting materials

Design components
Carbon nanotube (CNT) film
Polyimide film
Bismuth and gold electrodes

Conventional
THz cameras are:
Rigid
Expensive
Lack versatility

Self-aligned filtration and
fabrication generates free-standing
CNT film array
The camera patch can be cut by scissors
and be pasted on the fingertips

Advantages

This limits the imaging of objects
with irregular shapes

Flexible
Resizable

THz
radiation

sensor

Applications
in detecting:
Cracks

Highly sensitive

Impurities

Cost-effective

Uneven surfaces
Infrastructure

Portable

The new portable, adjustable THz camera improves coverage of large,
irregular objects and is a potential quality control sensor
A Terahertz Video Camera Patch Sheet with an Adjustable Design based
on Self-Aligned, 2D, Suspended Sensor Array Patterning
Suzuki et al. (2021) | Advanced Functional Materials | DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202008931

A terahertz camera patch sheet with an adjustable design based on self-aligned 2D suspended sensor array patterning. (Image courtesy of the researchers)
24

Photonics & Imaging Technology, May 2021
1

Cov

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http://www.abpi.net/ntbpdfclicks/l.php?202105TBNAV

Tech Briefs Magazine - May 2021

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