China makes clothes through glass

A group of Chinese scientists developed a micro-detector that allows to see through clothing or some paper and cardboard materials.

According to the study published in Advanced Materials, the effect of glass is similar to the Superman character's ability to penetrate X-rays, but it is safer for users.

The South China Morning Post reported on December 14 that the feature that makes the big difference is that it is based on a form of radiation replacement that can penetrate non-conductive materials except water or metal.

X-ray radiation is too strong and toxic, can cause cell mutations, leading to cancer. In contrast, terahertz or T-rays have a long wavelength in the electromagnetic spectrum, which lies between infrared radiation and microwave radiation. It is weaker than X-rays and therefore safer.

Scientists have studied terahertz radiation for decades. But the device used to detect them is very cumbersome, sometimes taking up an entire room and needing many technicians to perform complicated operations.

Sensor mounting devices must be kept in extremely cold environments. When radiation comes into contact with these sensors, it disturbs some atoms and releases heat. But the amount of heat generated is so small that it can only be detected in extremely cold environments.

T-glass can be used to detect weapons in the crowd.(Photo: Sam Tsang).

The team led by Professor Huang Zhiming at Shanghai, China Institute of Engineering Physics, takes the other approach. They created a "trap" to collect T-rays, using a semiconductor that sandwiched between two metal plates. When the radiation hits the thin film, it creates an asymmetric electromagnetic wave. This wave then draws electrons away from the metal plate to create an electric current.

This form of radiation cannot be measured digitally by an electronic counter. It exists at very high frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum, making scientists use indirect measures. In this case, by measuring the emitted current, the team can use fixed algorithms to model the exact patterns of the rays.

According to Huang, the breakthrough point in this detector is that it is about the size of a grain of rice , which can be easily attached to a mobile device or integrated on a smart glass. It is as sensitive as the larger machines in the room but 1,000 times faster. Speed ​​is important because there is a delay between when the rays collide with the sensor and the current generated. Less latency facilitates better and more accurate monitoring.

Huang predicted that at least a decade later the first T-ray glasses were released due to technical difficulties, including source equipment. To penetrate the fabric, the glasses must emit a radar-like beam so that the electromagnetic waves can bounce back and be detected.

Currently, scientists have not been able to find a source device small enough to integrate into a mobile object. They also have to solve the problem of power, because the creation of T-rays requires a lot of energy, beyond the capacity of smartphone batteries.

However, Huang is optimistic about the future of this technology, partly because it has potential for military use. With a sufficiently powerful source device, T-rays can be used on radar systems to detect stealth aircraft, or applications on military satellites to transmit large amounts of data.

Huang said that T-ray radars could "observe" the object a kilometer away in good weather conditions. He hopes this range will expand more in the future.