TeraHertz Hyperspectral Imaging for tribology

阻碍摩擦学(相对运动中相互作用表面的科学和工程)颠覆性创新步伐的一个主要技术限制是无法直接获取和现场监测界面的空间和时间上的物理和化学特征。太赫兹(THz)时域成像为此类挑战带来了希望。这种潜力源于：(1)太赫兹穿透许多光学不透明材料，从而进入隐藏的界面的能力；(2)与生物大分子相关的共振及其之间的弱分子间相互作用(如氢键)在太赫兹发生；(3)非电离特性；(4)太赫兹被水的强吸收，使得能够直接测量水合水平。这位博士生将利用太赫兹成像系统来研究不同的摩擦学场景，如关节植入、组织-骨骼界面、软骨中水的分布等。

A major technical limitation that impedes the pace of disruptive innovation in tribology (the science and engineering of interacting surfaces in relative motion) is due to the inability to directly acquire and monitor in-situ the physical and chemical characteristics of the interface both spatially and temporally. TeraHertz (THz) time-domain imaging holds promise for such challenge. Such potential stems from: (1) THz ability to penetrate through many optically opaque materials and thus access hidden interfaces; (2) resonances associated with biomacromolecules and the weak intermolecular interaction (e.g., hydrogen bond) between them happen at THz; (3) nonionizing characteristic; (4) THz strong absorbance by water, enabling direct measurements of hydration levels. The PhD student will utilise THz imaging systems to study different tribological scenarios such joint implants, tissue-bone interface, distribution of water in cartilage, etc.