Syntheses of ‘Hemtex’ Simulants of Energetic Materials and Millimetre Wave Characterisation Using the Teraview CW400 Spectrometer: Fundamental Studies for Detection Applications

 Desai, Hemant J., Richard Lacey, Daniel O. Acheampong, Anthony Clark, Philip Dixon, Matthew Hogbin, Robert Hudson, Sam Pollock, Usman Waheed, and Hannah Whitmore. "Syntheses of ‘Hemtex’Simulants of Energetic Materials and Millimetre Wave Characterisation Using the Teraview CW400 Spectrometer: Fundamental Studies for Detection Applications." In Technology Development for Security Practitioners, pp. 181-195. Springer, Cham, 2021.

Abstract

Explosives or energetic materials are hazardous, expensive and difficult to handle safely. As such there is a need for simulant explosive materials in order to conduct work without these issues being present. This chapter describes characterisation of a set of simulant materials with respect to millimetre wave and submillimetre wave threat detection technologies. The properties examined were the real and imaginary parts of the relative permittivity. The simulants are based on a modular approach to design appropriate chemical and physical properties which mimic explosives. Collectively, these materials are referred to as Hemtex and can be tailored to match various requirements. The subset of Hemtex materials used in this study were designed to reflect the properties of Semtex and the results of the characterisation showed promise for use as Semtex substitutes. 

For full paper see https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-69460-9_11

Diagnosis of injection-molded weld lines in ABS thermoplastic by polarized terahertz reflective imaging

Zhai, Min, Esam T. Ahmed Mohamed, Alexandre Locquet, G. Schneider, R. Kalmar, M. Fendler, N. F. Declercq, and D. S. Citrin. "Diagnosis of injection-molded weld lines in ABS thermoplastic by polarized terahertz reflective imaging." NDT & E International (2021): 102497.

for full paper see https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0963869521000967

Abstract

We carry out a non destructive study of injection-mold weld lines in an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) thermoplastic electrical receptacle plate. Terahertz techniques show morphological features at the weld lines and reveal terahertz birefringence properties localized about the welds, indicating frozen-in molecular orientation and stress proximate to the welds. Surface acoustic microscopy corroborates the morphological features at the welds shown by terahertz imaging and also reveals anomalous mechanical properties at the weld lines. These results indicate that THz-based techniques provide non destructive reliability assessment and quality control for injection-molded thermoplastic products.

 

The 9th International Conference on Optical Terahertz Science and Technology (OTST 2022)

The 9th International Conference on Optical Terahertz Science and Technology (OTST 2022) will bring researchers from around the world to present and discuss most recent advances in terahertz (THz) research, ranging from fundamental science to cutting edge developments in THz technology. The conference will be held in the heart of Central Europe, in Budapest, the capital city of Hungary between 24–29 April 2022 (Sunday to Friday). It follows the previous eight conferences held six times in the USA, once in Japan, and once in the UK, Europe. An introductory workshop with tutorials for students and those who are new to the field of THz science and technology will be organised on the first day (24 April 2022).

The conference date has been postponed from the previous year to 2022 because of the worldwide travel restrictions. We do hope that OTST 2022 will give the scientific community a new impulse and the possibility to meet each other in person after a long time.

The Conference Chairs:

József A. Fülöp - University of Pécs and ELI-ALPS, Hungary

János Hebling - University of Pécs, Hungary

Deadlines

• Abstract submission: January 10, 2022
• Abstract acceptance notification: January 31, 2022
• Payment of early-bird registration fee: February 7, 2022
• Payment of normal registration fee: March 31, 2022

see https://www.otst2022.hu/

A Fast and Non-destructive Terahertz Dissolution Assay for Immediate Release Tablets

 Bawuah, Prince, Daniel Markl, Alice Turner, Mike Evans, Alessia Portieri, Daniel Farrell, Ralph Lucas, Andrew Anderson, Daniel J. Goodwin, and J. Axel Zeitler. "A fast and non-destructive terahertz dissolution assay for immediate release tablets." Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 110, no. 5 (2021): 2083-2092.

For full paper see https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022354920307796

Abstract

There is a clear need for a robust process analytical technology tool that can be used for on-line/in-line prediction of dissolution and disintegration characteristics of pharmaceutical tablets during manufacture. Tablet porosity is a reliable and fundamental critical quality attribute which controls key mass transport mechanisms that govern disintegration and dissolution behavior. A measurement protocol was developed to measure the total porosity of a large number of tablets in transmission without the need for any sample preparation. By using this fast and non-destructive terahertz spectroscopy method it is possible to predict the disintegration and dissolution of drug from a tablet in less than a second per sample without the need of a chemometric model. The validity of the terahertz porosity method was established across a range of immediate release (IR) formulations of ibuprofen and indomethacin tablets of varying geometries as well as with and without debossing. Excellent correlation was observed between the measured terahertz porosity, dissolution characteristics (time to release 50% drug content) and disintegration time for all samples. These promising results and considering the robustness of the terahertz method pave the way for a fully automated at-line/on-line porosity sensor for real time release testing of IR tablets dissolution.

For more information also see https://teraview.com/terasolve/

46th International Conference on Infrared, Millimeter and Terahertz Waves (IRMMW-THz 2021)

 

The 46^th International Conference on Infrared, Millimeter and Terahertz Waves (IRMMW-THz 2021) is now accepting submissions of one-page abstracts for its technical program. 

This year’s conference will take place in Chengdu, China, from Sunday Aug. 29 – Friday, Sep. 3, 2021.  Chengdu is well-known as the hometown of the Giant and Red Pandas. The planned conference site is the Chengdu Century City International Convention Center, named as one of the finest facilities in China for its exhibition environment and site utilization efficiency. It is conveniently located in the South High-Tech District of Chengdu, with fast and convenient transportation from the airport, railway station or downtown Chengdu.

They are very much looking forward to meeting you in Chengdu for an exciting week of talks and posters on the latest advances in the field, as well as commercial exhibitors showcasing the newest IRMMW-THz instruments. Come and network with both old and new colleagues in the largest forum devoted exclusively to IR, millimeter and terahertz science and technology.

Their Abstract submission site is now open. Please go to www.irmmw-thz2021.org to contribute your paper.

IMPORTANT DATES

One Page Abstract Submission Deadline: 15 March 2021 

(template available at https://irmmw-thz2021.org/submission-registration/)

Paper Acceptance Notification: 15 May 2021

Conference: 29 August - 3 September 2021

IRMMW-THz TOPICS INCLUDE (but are not strictly limited to):

·    Astronomy and Environmental Science

·    Applications in Biology and Medicine

·    Applications in Security and Defense

·    Applications in Industry

·    Spectroscopy and Material Properties

·    Protein Dynamics and Molecular Spectroscopy

·    Spectroscopy of Gases, Liquids, and Solids

·    Sources, Detectors, and Receivers

·    Imaging and Remote Sensing

·    Modeling and Analysis Techniques

·    Metamaterial Structures and Applications

·    Devices, Components, and Systems

·    R&D, Future Applications, and Market Directions

·    High-Field THz Wave Generation and Nonlinear THz Physics

·    Frequency and Time Domain Instruments

·    MMW systems, Transmission Lines and Antennas

·    MMW and Sub-millimeter Wave Radar and Communications

·    Ultra-High Speed MMW Digital Devices

·    Laser Driven THz Sources

·    Quantum Cascade Lasers

·    Gyro-Oscillators and Amplifiers

·    Free Electron Lasers and Synchrotron Radiation

·    Planetary and Earth Science Applications

·    Applications in Art Conservation Studies

·    Ultrafast Measurements

·    Plasma Diagnostics

·    Metrology

For further information: travel and accommodation arrangements, technical program news, speaker invitations, special events and registration please visit their website: www.irmmw-thz2021.org.

Thank you for participating and supporting IRMMW-THz 2021. They  all look forward to seeing you next September in Chengdu.

TeraView looks forward to meeting you all in Chengdu - Have a better 2021.