Handheld T-ray Device Earns Praise

The Mini-Z system, which weighs less than five pounds and fits snugly in a briefcase, could open the door to a wide range of applications in homeland security, biomedical imaging, and nondestructive testing of industrial components. Brian Schulkin, a doctoral student in physics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Troy, NY, USA), was the winner of the first-ever US$30,000 Lemelson-Rensselaer student prize. Mr. Schulkin has invented an ultralight, handheld terahertz spectrometer--a development that could help drive T-ray technology from the lab bench to the marketplace.

The award is given to a Rensselaer senior or graduate student who has created or improved a product or process, applied a technology in a new way, or otherwise demonstrated remarkable inventiveness. "Discovery and innovation are the sparks that drive the global economy and enhance quality of life. The Lemelson-Rensselaer Student Prize is designed to inspire and reward those who push the boundaries of imagination, and do the creative work to break new ground,” said Rensselaer president Shirley Ann Jackson. "Brian Schulkin embodies that spirit of innovation, discovery, and excellence. We celebrate his ingenuity and commitment. We applaud him and all of our students who participated in this inaugural competition, and we encourage them to keep exploring and to keep pushing the boundaries.”

T-rays are based on the terahertz region of the electromagnetic spectrum, which is defined by frequencies from 0.1-10 terahertz--just between infrared light and microwave radiation. "Terahertz waves are the last window in the electromagnetic spectrum to be exploited by scientists,” Mr. Schulkin said.

T-rays are useful for imaging defects within materials without destroying the objects or even removing them from their setting, and they offer major advantages over other techniques, according to Mr. Schulkin. They can penetrate many dry, non-metallic materials with better resolution than microwave radiation; they do not pose the same health risks as x-rays; and unlike ultrasound, terahertz waves can provide images without contacting an object.

Furthermore, T-ray systems provide more than just images: they can provide valuable spectroscopic information about the composition of a material, particularly in chemical and biologic agents. Scientists have been studying the terahertz region for more than two decades, but one of the main obstacles has been the size and weight of T-ray devices. "Conventional systems are tied down to the bench,” Mr. Schulkin said. "They are incredibly heavy, not portable, and require high-powered lasers, which are both expensive and large.”

The Mini-Z, however, is approximately the size of a laptop computer, and it does not require any peripheral equipment. "The first time the Mini-Z was on display, the kinds of comments we got were, ‘Where is the rest of it?'” Mr. Schulkin said.

The device also provides real-time data with no waiting, and its user-friendly design means do not need special training needed to operate it. "It's a turnkey system--all you have to do is open the box, set it up, and turn it on,” Mr. Schulkin said. "My vision for the Mini-Z is that it will be standard equipment in offices around the world, or in the lab for research.”

The potential applications for such a device are numerous: evaluating the integrity of carbon fiber composites used in airplanes; imaging tumors without the need for harmful radiation; detecting explosives at airport security checkpoints; spotting landmines from a distance; and seeing biologic agents through a sealed envelope.

"Not only does Brian have an impressive grasp of theoretical concepts, but he also has the rare ability to combine this understanding with solid engineering principles,” said Dr. Alan Cramb, dean of the School of Engineering at Rensselaer. "His innovative spirit and creative spark are an inspiration to us all, and we are fortunate to have the Lemelson-Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT; Boston, MA, USA) Program to recognize innovative students like Brian.”

Mr. Schulkin works under the guidance of Dr. Xi-Cheng Zhang, professor of science and director of the Center for Terahertz Research at Rensselaer. "Brian's innovative approach combined the integration of materials, optics, and electronics expertise to realize a quantum leap in robustness, while reducing the size and weight of the system by an order of magnitude,” Dr. Zhang said.


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