Associate Prof. Yukio Kawano and his colleagues from Tokyo Institute of Technology Introduces A New non-destructive broadband imager.
Nithya Satheesh
Associate Prof. Yukio Kawano | credits: Tokyo Institute of Technology
Associate Prof. Yukio Kawano and his colleagues from Tokyo Tech Japan recently published their study in Nature Communications. They developed a robot-assisted broadband photo-monitoring platform equipped with a light source and imager which can operate in a location-independent manner and switch between reflective and transmissive sensing.
Non-destructive imaging also referred to as non-destructive testing (NDT) is a process in which an object is imaged using light without inflicting any damage to it. This type of imaging is mainly for ensuring the safety and quality of products and thereby helping in improving demands for high performing imaging objects with arbitrary structures and locations.
Non-destructive imaging is one of the fastest growing technologies in the field of electromagnetic (EM) spectrum. It can now access visible light to as far as millimetre waves. Imaging systems have evolved to become more flexible and wearable, allowing for stereoscopic (3D) visualization of both plane and curved samples without creating a blind spot.
Even though there is advancement in non-destructive imaging technology, still some of the issues that were faced are probability of sensing modules, device operation, the bulkiness of cooling equipment. Prof. Yukio Kawano, from Tokyo Tech and Chuo University, stated that the unmanned or robot-assisted photo monitoring can help in doing operations like disconnection testing of power-transmission lines and exploring safe and sustainable cramped environments.
In the broadband developed by the scientist, they made use of physically and chemically enriched CNT thin films which can be used to act as uncooled imager sheets which in turn can make the photo thermoelectric effect to convert light into electric signals via thermoelectric conversion. CNTs have excellent absorption properties for a wide range of wavelengths due to which CNT show broadband sensitivity. Scientists will be able to detect minuscule defects in the structures by identifying the changes on the signals. Moreover, scientists will be able to extract both inner and outer surface features using THz and IR light.
Using a light-source-integrated compact sensing module, a 360 degree photo monitoring was achieved and which was then incorporated in a multi-axis robot-assisted movable arm that performed a high-speed photo-monitoring of a faulty miniature model of a winding road bridge.
The results of study according to scientists were that it can provide a roadmap for the realization of a sensing platform. They also added that this concept can be used to build sustainable, long term operating and user friendly products in the IOT system of sensor networks.