Terahertz (THz) region lies between the microwave and infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, such that it is very sensitive to the low-frequency molecular vibrations from intra/intermolecular domains connected by weak and conformation-related interactions (including hydrogen bonds, van der Waals, and hydrophobic interactions), and very low photon energy, which does not create any ionization hazard for biological systems. Due to the unprecedented sensing ability and the noninvasive and nonionizing properties, THz technologies have attracted extensive attention in biological research.
According to the methods of underlying detection and signal processing, THz technologies can be classified into two categories: THz spectroscopy and THz imaging. THz spectroscopy is a cutting-edge method for biomolecule recognition. THz imaging has been extensively applied in different cells and tissues.
THz technology is an image-spectrum merging modality, which can extract the intrinsic properties and morphological characteristics from amplitude and phase information synchronously, and therefore has attracted wide attention in biomedical research. But some issues remain to be solved. First, strong water absorption is the primary obstacle to applications in biomedical research, especially blood and urine detection. Second, the mixed characteristics of biological samples make the THz spectrum complex and difficult to distinguish. These issues affect the sensitivity and accuracy of THz detection.
To meet the needs of biomedical detection, new approaches combined THz technologies with multiple advanced functionalities, such as plasmonic devices, metamaterials and micro/nano fluid optics, have been developed to improve the detection sensitivity. These approaches have been proven to be worthwhile in biosensing. Meanwhile, artificial modeling and numerical computation can also be used in THz biological effect studies to improve the detection accuracy.
With the growing applications of THz detective modalities, concerns about the biological effects of THz radiation have been raised by researchers in the field. The potential health hazards of THz radiation, formulate safety guidelines, and guarantee the safe use of THz systems need to be studied.
This Research Topic will focus on the Terahertz technologies for biosensing and biomedical analysis, such as new development in Terahertz spectroscopy and imaging and metamaterials. Articles demonstrating research in any of these areas are encouraged to submit.
The summarized topics are listed below:
• Terahertz bio-spectroscopy
• Terahertz bio-imaging
• Interaction between strong terahertz waves and biomolecule and its new phenomena, new physics, new mechanisms, new technologies and new applications
• New biomedical applications of high-sensitivity terahertz components and terahertz materials
• Terahertz wave medical treatment
• New artificial modeling and numerical computation in THz biological effect studies
Terahertz (THz) region lies between the microwave and infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, such that it is very sensitive to the low-frequency molecular vibrations from intra/intermolecular domains connected by weak and conformation-related interactions (including hydrogen bonds, van der Waals, and hydrophobic interactions), and very low photon energy, which does not create any ionization hazard for biological systems. Due to the unprecedented sensing ability and the noninvasive and nonionizing properties, THz technologies have attracted extensive attention in biological research.
According to the methods of underlying detection and signal processing, THz technologies can be classified into two categories: THz spectroscopy and THz imaging. THz spectroscopy is a cutting-edge method for biomolecule recognition. THz imaging has been extensively applied in different cells and tissues.
THz technology is an image-spectrum merging modality, which can extract the intrinsic properties and morphological characteristics from amplitude and phase information synchronously, and therefore has attracted wide attention in biomedical research. But some issues remain to be solved. First, strong water absorption is the primary obstacle to applications in biomedical research, especially blood and urine detection. Second, the mixed characteristics of biological samples make the THz spectrum complex and difficult to distinguish. These issues affect the sensitivity and accuracy of THz detection.
To meet the needs of biomedical detection, new approaches combined THz technologies with multiple advanced functionalities, such as plasmonic devices, metamaterials and micro/nano fluid optics, have been developed to improve the detection sensitivity. These approaches have been proven to be worthwhile in biosensing. Meanwhile, artificial modeling and numerical computation can also be used in THz biological effect studies to improve the detection accuracy.
With the growing applications of THz detective modalities, concerns about the biological effects of THz radiation have been raised by researchers in the field. The potential health hazards of THz radiation, formulate safety guidelines, and guarantee the safe use of THz systems need to be studied.
This Research Topic will focus on the Terahertz technologies for biosensing and biomedical analysis, such as new development in Terahertz spectroscopy and imaging and metamaterials. Articles demonstrating research in any of these areas are encouraged to submit.
The summarized topics are listed below:
• Terahertz bio-spectroscopy
• Terahertz bio-imaging
• Interaction between strong terahertz waves and biomolecule and its new phenomena, new physics, new mechanisms, new technologies and new applications
• New biomedical applications of high-sensitivity terahertz components and terahertz materials
• Terahertz wave medical treatment
• New artificial modeling and numerical computation in THz biological effect studies