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）破坏性创新步伐的主要技术限制是由于无法直接获取和现场监测界面的空间和时间的物理和化学特征。太赫兹（THz）时域成像技术有望应对这一挑战。这种潜力源于：(1)太赫兹能够穿透许多光学不透明材料，从而进入隐藏界面；(2)与生物大分子相关的共振和分子间的弱相互作用（如氢键）发生在太赫兹；(3)非电离特性；(4)水的太赫兹强吸收，可以直接测量水合水平。博士生将利用太赫兹成像系统来研究不同的摩擦学场景，如关节植入物，组织-骨界面，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.