Camera uses microwave signals to get into materials

It is claimed the technology could help medical professionals detect and monitor a variety of skin conditions, including cancer and burns. It also has the potential to help airport security staff reduce the number of passenger pat-downs.

‘In the not-so-distant future, the technology may be customised to address many critical inspection needs, including detecting defects in thermal insulating materials that are found in spacecraft heat-insulating foam and tiles, space habitat structures, aircraft radomes and composite-strengthened concrete bridge members,’ said lead researcher Dr Reza Zoughi, Schlumberger distinguished professor of electrical engineering at the Missouri University of Science and Technology.

According to a statement, the compact system can produce synthetically focused images of objects — at different planes in front of the camera — at speeds of up to 30 images per second. A laptop computer then collects the signal and displays the image in real time for review.

‘Unlike X-rays, microwaves are non-ionising and may only cause some heating effect,’ said Zoughi. ‘However, the high sensitivity and other characteristics of this camera enables it to operate at a low-power level.’