Congressman Tours Electrical Engineering Lab

Earlier this month, Congressman Steve Womack visited the lab of Magda El-Shenawee, professor of electrical engineering, to learn about terahertz imaging research at the College of Engineering.

During his visit, Womack learned about a potential medical application of terahertz imaging for breast cancer treatment. Researchers in El-Shenawee’s lab are developing a process to test tissue from lumpectomies during surgery in order to improve patient outcomes.

A second application of El-Shenawee’s system is in the field of security. Terahertz imaging is not harmful to humans, and it has the potential to identify narcotics, explosives and plastic or ceramic weapons. This makes it ideal for security screening. Researchers demonstrated this capability for Womack, concealing weapons and gun powder on a manikin, then revealing the hidden weapons with the imaging system.

“We are very pleased that Congressman Womack took the time to learn about this timely research,” said Juan Balda, head of the Department of Electrical Engineering. “Dr. El-Shenawee’s work has potential to contribute to advances in several different fields ranging from biomedical to security, and the congressman’s interest shows that he understands the importance of innovative engineering projects like this one to the economic development of our state.”

For the full article visit: http://newswire.uark.edu/articles/25171/congressman-tours-electrical-engineering-lab

University of Arkansas to Use TeraView's Terahertz System for Medical and Biological Imaging and Nanomaterial Characterization Research

+TeraView has supplied a state-of-the-art terahertz imaging system to the University of Arkansas. The TPS Spectra 3000 will expand the use of terahertz radiation in a variety of research fields like breast cancer imaging and the fabrication of nanoscale materials.

In 2012, the National Science Foundation has awarded Magda El-Shenawee, Principal Investigator, professor of electrical engineering, a new terahertz imaging and spectroscopy system to conduct cutting edge research at the University of Arkansas. Co-investigators are Greg Salamo, distinguished professor of physics, and Steve Stephenson, research professor in biological sciences, at the University of Arkansas; Robert Griffin, professor of radiation oncology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences; and Gilbert Pacey, senior research scientist at IDCAST CBRNE and THz.

Dr. El-Shenawee will use the system to expand the understanding and applications of terahertz imaging in medical research. “Among many important applications, this system will allow us to continue our work on developing a non-hazardous and non-invasive imaging system for breast-cancer,” said Dr. El-Shenawee. “Because of the unique properties of terahertz light, the system will help reduce cancer recurrence by contributing to the thermal ablation of tumors.” Terahertz pulsed imaging (TPI™) provides good contrast between different types of soft tissue, and is a sensitive means of detecting the degree of water content as well as other markers of cancer and other diseases. “The major advantage of the system is that it allows measurements to be taken without destroying the sample material in the process,” said Dr. Stephenson.

In addition, the TPS Spectra 3000 will help researchers investigate the terahertz properties of novel functional materials. Dr. Salamo, expert in the field of semiconductor nanostructures at the Institute for Nanoscience and Engineering, will utilise terahertz radiation and imaging techniques to guide the fabrication of nano-acoustic imaging materials and devices.