This innovative system works on the terahertz frequency and detects objects that a person is carrying in real time. In addition it has other applications such as the analysis of the composition of materials or the atmosphere.

The Microwave and Radar Research Group of the Technical University of Madrid’s Higher Technical School for Telecommunications Engineers (ETSIT-UPM) is collaborating with the Terasense project. This project includes a total of 130 researchers from 11 Spanish universities, working on the development of applications in the terahertz frequency ranges.

The purpose of this challenge, planned for 2013 and with a budget of approximately €240,000, is the design and construction of body scanners that airports will use in the future.

Terahertz technology originated in radio astronomy, and allows the radiation from small radiofrequency systems to penetrate opaque objects, thus determining their structure. This does not pose any risk for health, as the radiation is non-ionizing. Further, it preserves the privacy of the individual as when used for taking images it will adopt a standard human silhouette, without showing the real physiognomy of the subject being scanned.

“Another example of the advantages of using terahertz is that it will also allow us to study atmospheric composition, through a radar signal sent toward a cloud, providing information for example of its water content”, explains Professor Jesús Grajal, coordinator of the Microwave and Radar research group of the ETSIT for the Terasense project.