University - Terahertz Sensing - Non Destructive testing

Exploring Terahertz Technologies for Industrial Innovation: Non-Destructive Testing, Imaging, and Material Characterization

Terahertz (THz) technologies are emerging as powerful tools for industrial applications, offering unique capabilities that bridge the gap between conventional imaging and sensing techniques. Through collaborative European projects, we propose to explore how Terahertz systems—both Time-Domain Spectroscopy (TDS) and Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) radar—can bring substantial benefits to a wide range of industries.

Key industrial opportunities include:

• Non-Destructive Testing (NDT):

  Terahertz waves penetrate a wide variety of non-metallic materials, enabling inspection without damaging or altering the product. This is ideal for quality control in aerospace, automotive, electronics, and construction industries.

• Thickness Measurement:

  Accurate, non-contact measurement of coating layers, plastic films, or multilayer structures becomes possible. For instance, Terahertz can measure:

  • Paint layers on automotive bodies.

  • Plastic and composite thickness in packaging and aerospace components.

  • Coatings on pharmaceutical tablets.

• Adhesive Bond Inspection:

  In manufacturing sectors using composite materials, Terahertz imaging can reveal internal structures such as voids, delaminations, or improper adhesive spreads in bonding layers—critical for aerospace, automotive, and wind turbine blade manufacturing.

• Plastic and Polymer Characterization:

  Many plastics are transparent to THz waves, allowing internal inspection without cutting or dismantling. This is essential for packaging, electronics casings, and complex molded parts.

• Structural Imaging and Defect Detection:

  Using Terahertz TDS or FMCW radar techniques, hidden defects such as cracks, inclusions, or water ingress inside layered structures can be visualized.

• Moisture Detection:

  THz systems are highly sensitive to water content. Applications include monitoring the moisture level in composites, insulation materials, or even food products, which can be vital for quality assurance.

• Advanced Process Monitoring:

  Integrating real-time Terahertz sensors into manufacturing lines could optimize process control, reduce waste, and improve product consistency.

Why Terahertz now?

• Non-ionizing and safe for humans and delicate materials.

• High resolution compared to microwave or ultrasonic methods.

• Increasing maturity of compact, robust Terahertz systems suitable for industrial environments.

• Potential for inline, real-time inspection using robust FMCW-based sensors.

• Growing ecosystem of modular systems (like TeraView, Menlo Systems, Toptica) that can be adapted to industrial needs.

Project collaboration possibilities:

• Development of customized THz sensors for specific materials or production lines.

• Joint demonstrators showing non-destructive evaluation in industrial settings.

• Standardization activities for THz-based industrial testing methods.

• Exploration of new industrial sectors that could benefit from THz inspection.

• Integration with AI for defect recognition and predictive maintenance.

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