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Terahertz Spectroscopic Sensing and Imaging Technology for Biomedicine
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Terahertz Spectroscopic Sensing and Imaging Technology for Biomedicine

A special issue of Sensors (ISSN 1424-8220). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomedical Sensors".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 October 2025 | Viewed by 7295

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Yuye Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Precise Instrument and Opto-Electronics, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
Interests: terehertz photonics; terahertz spectroscopy and imaging; nonlinear optics; all solid-state laser
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Huabin Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Research Center of Super-Resolution Optics, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
Interests: terahertz near-field; terahertz bio-detection; terahertz devices

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Terahertz spectroscopic sensing and imaging techniques based on optics and photonics technology open a new realm for biomedical applications, ranging from basic science investigations to real life. The focus of this issue is to provide an interdisciplinary forum for the current state-of-the-art developments in both fundamental and technological aspects of terahertz spectroscopic sensing and imaging for biomedical applications, including the recent progress and trends in terahertz source, sensing, spectroscopy, imaging, and their applications. The techniques suitable for unexplored regions are particularly encouraged. Both original research and review articles are accepted. Topics include but are not limited to:

  • Terahertz source;
  • Terahertz spectroscopic sensing;
  • Terahertz imaging;
  • Terahertz application in biomedicine;
  • Data processing for terahertz spectroscopy and imaging.

Dr. Yuye Wang
Dr. Huabin Wang
Guest Editors

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sensors is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

10 pages, 5158 KiB  
Article
Fast Detection of Uric Acid in Urine for Early Diagnosis Using THz Polarized Waves
by Zahra Mazaheri, Giorgia Federico, Can Koral, Gian Paolo Papari, Lakshmi Ullatil, Paolo Russo and Antonello Andreone
Sensors 2025, 25(4), 1004; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25041004 - 8 Feb 2025
Viewed by 700
Abstract
Towards new and improved techniques in liquid biopsy for the diagnosis of diseases, this study reports experimental evidence of a rapid and reliable method based on terahertz (THz) time-domain spectroscopic ellipsometry (TDSE) for the early diagnosis of kidney-related diseases, using the detection of [...] Read more.
Towards new and improved techniques in liquid biopsy for the diagnosis of diseases, this study reports experimental evidence of a rapid and reliable method based on terahertz (THz) time-domain spectroscopic ellipsometry (TDSE) for the early diagnosis of kidney-related diseases, using the detection of uric acid (UA) content in urine. Employing a custom-built THz-TDSE system, we analyzed the absorption and dispersion response of synthetic urine samples with varying concentrations of UA. The technique provides a prompt indication of UA presence and concentration, thanks to the sensitivity of THz waves to intermolecular interactions such as hydrogen bonding. The results clearly show a linear correlation between the UA concentration and changes in the absorption spectra of urine in the frequency window 0.2–1.2 THz, with the minimum detectable UA concentration being approximately close to the upper limit of normal UA levels in urine. The increase in the absorption coefficient as a function of the UA concentration provides a means for a quantifiable measure of the UA biomarker in urine for assessing disease stage. This study proves that THz-TDSE is capable of detecting UA at concentrations relevant for early-stage diagnosis of renal diseases, with an estimated sensitivity of 0.2 g/L in the region where the material response is linear. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Terahertz Spectroscopic Sensing and Imaging Technology for Biomedicine)
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14 pages, 5927 KiB  
Article
Terahertz Spectroscopy in Assessing Temperature-Shock Effects on Citrus
by Junbo Wang, Ziyi Zang, Xiaomei Li, Dongyun Tang, Qi Xiao, Mingkun Zhang and Shihan Yan
Sensors 2024, 24(22), 7315; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24227315 - 15 Nov 2024
Viewed by 790
Abstract
Rapid assessment of physiological status is a precondition for addressing biological stress in trees so that they may recover. Environmental stress can cause water deficit in plants, while terahertz (THz) spectroscopy is sensitive to changes in aqueous solutions within organisms. This has given [...] Read more.
Rapid assessment of physiological status is a precondition for addressing biological stress in trees so that they may recover. Environmental stress can cause water deficit in plants, while terahertz (THz) spectroscopy is sensitive to changes in aqueous solutions within organisms. This has given the THz sensor a competitive edge for evaluating plant phenotypes, especially under similar environmental stress, if there are existing differences in the corresponding THz information. In this study, we utilized THz technology in association with traditional weighing methods to explore physiological changes in citrus leaves under different temperature, duration, and stress treatment conditions. It was found that the higher the temperature and the longer the exposure duration, the more severe the reduction in the relative absorption coefficient. There was a positive correlation between the trends and the increase in the ion permeability of cells. In addition, based on the effective medium theory, THz spectral information can be transformed into information on free water and bound water in the leaves. Under different treatment conditions, water content shows different trends and degrees of change on the time scale, and accuracy was verified by traditional weighing methods. These findings revealed that characteristics of THz information can serve as a simple and clear indicator for judging a plant’s physiological status. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Terahertz Spectroscopic Sensing and Imaging Technology for Biomedicine)
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10 pages, 4702 KiB  
Article
Large Dynamic Range Spectral Measurement in Terahertz Region Based on Frequency Up-Conversion Detection via OH1 Crystal
by Jiasheng Yuan, Quanxin Guo, Xingyu Zhang, Naichang Liu, Xiaoqin Yin, Na Ming, Liyuan Guo, Binzhe Jiao, Kaiyu Wang and Shuzhen Fan
Sensors 2024, 24(19), 6245; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24196245 - 26 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1023
Abstract
Terahertz spectroscopy systems, which integrate terahertz sources and detectors, have important applications in many fields such as materials science and security checking. Based on highly sensitive frequency up-conversion detection, large dynamic range spectral measurements in a terahertz region are reported. Our system realized [...] Read more.
Terahertz spectroscopy systems, which integrate terahertz sources and detectors, have important applications in many fields such as materials science and security checking. Based on highly sensitive frequency up-conversion detection, large dynamic range spectral measurements in a terahertz region are reported. Our system realized the detection sensitivity at a 10 aJ level with a 2-(3-(4-hydroxystyryl)-5,5-dime-thylcyclohex-2-enylidene) malononitrile (OH1) crystal and a dynamic range up to seven orders. Based on this system, we verified the validity of the spectral measurement with tests which were conducted on monohydrate glucose, anhydrous glucose and mixed tablet samples with a thickness of 0.8 mm in 1~3 THz, respectively. Also, a mini coppery elbow tube with an inner diameter of 1 mm was used for the transmission of a terahertz wave to simulate some strip biological tissue samples. By allowing terahertz to transmit through this tube filled with 0.5 g glucose powder, we successfully obtained the absorption spectrum with a minimum transmittance at the absorption peak in the order of 10−4. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Terahertz Spectroscopic Sensing and Imaging Technology for Biomedicine)
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12 pages, 7794 KiB  
Article
Single-Shot Direct Transmission Terahertz Imaging Based on Intense Broadband Terahertz Radiation
by Zhang Yue, Xiaoyu Peng, Guangyuan Li, Yilei Zhou, Yezi Pu and Yuhui Zhang
Sensors 2024, 24(13), 4160; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24134160 - 26 Jun 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1791
Abstract
There are numerous applications of terahertz (THz) imaging in many fields. However, current THz imaging is generally based on scanning technique due to the limited intensity of the THz sources. Thus, it takes a long time to obtain a frame image of the [...] Read more.
There are numerous applications of terahertz (THz) imaging in many fields. However, current THz imaging is generally based on scanning technique due to the limited intensity of the THz sources. Thus, it takes a long time to obtain a frame image of the target and cannot meet the requirement of fast THz imaging. Here, we demonstrate a single-shot direct THz imaging strategy based on a broadband intense THz source with a frequency range of 0.1~23 THz and a THz camera with a frequency response range of 1~7 THz. This THz source was generated from the laser–plasma interaction, with its central frequency at ~12 THz. The frame rate of this imaging system was 8.5 frames per second. The imaging resolution reached 146.2 μm. With this imaging system, a single-shot THz image for a target object with a size of more than 7 cm was routinely obtained, showing a potential application for fast THz imaging. Furthermore, we proposed and tested an image enhancement algorithm based on an improved dark channel prior (DCP) theory and multi-scale retinex (MSR) theory to optimize the image brightness, contrast, entropy and peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Terahertz Spectroscopic Sensing and Imaging Technology for Biomedicine)
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11 pages, 2671 KiB  
Article
Calcium Imaging Characterize the Neurobiological Effect of Terahertz Radiation in Zebrafish Larvae
by Xin Song, Haibin Li, Xiuyun Liu, Meijun Pang and Yuye Wang
Sensors 2023, 23(18), 7689; https://doi.org/10.3390/s23187689 - 6 Sep 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1953
Abstract
(1) Objective: To explore the neurobiological effects of terahertz (THz) radiation on zebrafish larvae using calcium (Ca2+) imaging technology. (2) Methods: Zebrafish larvae at 7 days post fertilization (dpf) were exposed to THz radiation for 10 or 20 min; the frequency [...] Read more.
(1) Objective: To explore the neurobiological effects of terahertz (THz) radiation on zebrafish larvae using calcium (Ca2+) imaging technology. (2) Methods: Zebrafish larvae at 7 days post fertilization (dpf) were exposed to THz radiation for 10 or 20 min; the frequency was 2.52 THz and the amplitude 50 mW/cm2. The behavioral experiments, neural Ca2+ imaging, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) of the dopamine-related genes were conducted following the irradiation. (3) Results: Compared with the control group, the behavioral experiments demonstrated that THz radiation significantly increased the distance travelled and speed of zebrafish larvae. In addition, the maximum acceleration and motion frequency were elevated in the 20 min radiation group. The neural Ca2+ imaging results indicated a substantial increase in zebrafish neuronal activity. qPCR experiments revealed a significant upregulation of dopamine-related genes, such as drd2b, drd4a, slc6a3 and th. (4) Conclusion: THz radiation (2.52 THz, 50 mW/cm2, 20 min) upregulated dopamine-related genes and significantly enhanced neuronal excitability, and the neurobiological effect of THz radiation can be visualized using neural Ca2+ imaging in vivo. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Terahertz Spectroscopic Sensing and Imaging Technology for Biomedicine)
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