The Department of Physics is delighted to welcome Professor Emma MacPherson (University of Warwick) as a Colloquium Speaker for the academic year 2025/26. Please join us to listen to Professor MacPherson's seminar.

A reception will be held directly after the seminar in 8 West 3.15, where tea and coffee will be provided.

The seminar is open to anyone from the university, students are encouraged to attend.

Title

In vivo THz imaging: developing the Picobot.

Abstract

Terahertz (1012 Hz, THz) light is very sensitive to hydrogen bonds and, due to it also being non-ionising, researchers have been looking how to exploit this unique property for biomedical applications for over 2 decades. The strong attenuation of THz light by water and therefore biological tissues means that in vivo THz imaging needs to be done in a reflection geometry. In this talk I will explain how THz imaging has evolved and how, in my latest project, Terabotics, I have been conducting the first in vivo studies of skin cancer patients in a hospital environment. Terabotics has enabled THz technology to be integrated with robotics to develop a robotically controlled THz probe, which we have called the “Picobot” (as THz light probes processes occurring at picosecond time scales). The Picobot has featured on BBC West Midlands News .