Abstract-Implantable, Degradable, Therapeutic Terahertz Metamaterial Devices

Long Sun, Zhitao Zhou, Junjie Zhong,   Zhifeng Shi, Ying Mao,  Hua Li,  Juncheng Cao, Tiger H. Tao,

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/smll.202000294

Metamaterial (MM) sensors and devices, usually consisting of artificially structured composite materials with engineered responses that are mainly determined by the unit structure rather than the bulk properties or composition, offer new functionalities not readily available in nature. A set of implantable and resorbable therapeutic MM devices at terahertz (THz) frequencies are designed and fabricated by patterning magnesium split ring resonators on drug‐loaded silk protein substrates with controllable device degradation and drug release rates. To demonstrate proof‐of‐concept, a set of silk‐based, antibiotics‐loaded MM devices, which can serve as degradable antibacterial skin patches with capabilities to monitor drug‐release in real time are fabricated. The extent of drug release, which correlates with the degradation of the MM skin patch, can be monitored by analyzing the resonant responses in reflection during degradation using a portable THz camera. Animal experiments are performed to demonstrate the in vivo degradation process and the efficacy of the devices for antibacterial treatment. Thus, the implantable and resorbable therapeutic MM devices do not need to be retrieved once implanted, providing an appealing alternative for in‐vivo sensing and in situ treatment application

Abstract-Multicolor T‐Ray Imaging Using Multispectral Metamaterials

Zhitao Zhou  Tao Zhou  Shaoqing Zhang  Zhifeng Shi  Ying Chen  Wenjian Wan  Xinxin Li Xinzhong Chen  Stephanie N. Gilbert Corder  Zhanglong Fu  Liang Chen  Ying Mao  Juncheng Cao Fiorenzo G. Omenetto  Mengkun Liu  Hua Li,  Tiger H. Tao,

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/advs.201700982

Recent progress in ultrafast spectroscopy and semiconductor technology is enabling unique applications in screening, detection, and diagnostics in the Terahertz (T‐ray) regime. The promise of efficaciously operation in this spectral region is tempered by the lack of devices that can spectrally analyze samples at sufficient temporal and spatial resolution. Real‐time, multispectral T‐ray (Mul‐T) imaging is reported by designing and demonstrating hyperspectral metamaterial focal plane array (MM‐FPA) interfaces allowing multiband (and individually tunable) responses without compromising on the pixel size. These MM‐FPAs are fully compatible with existing microfabrication technologies and have low noise when operating in the ambient environment. When tested with a set of frequency switchable quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) for multicolor illumination, both MM‐FPAs and QCLs can be tuned to operate at multiple discrete THz frequencies to match analyte “fingerprints.” Versatile imaging capabilities are presented, including unambiguous identification of concealed substances with intrinsic and/or human‐engineered THz characteristics as well as effective diagnosis of cancerous tissues without notable spectral signatures in the THz range, underscoring the utility of applying multispectral approaches in this compelling wavelength range for sensing/identification and medical imaging.

Abstract-Multicolor T‐Ray Imaging Using Multispectral Metamaterials

Zhitao Zhou, Tao Zhou, Shaoqing Zhang, Zhifeng Shi, Ying Chen, Wenjian Wan, Xinxin Li, Xinzhong Chen, Stephanie N. Gilbert Corder, Zhanglong Fu, Liang Chen, Ying Mao, Juncheng Cao, Fiorenzo G. Omenetto, Mengkun Liu, Hua Li, Tiger H. Tao,


https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/advs.201700982

Recent progress in ultrafast spectroscopy and semiconductor technology is enabling unique applications in screening, detection, and diagnostics in the Terahertz (T‐ray) regime. The promise of efficaciously operation in this spectral region is tempered by the lack of devices that can spectrally analyze samples at sufficient temporal and spatial resolution. Real‐time, multispectral T‐ray (Mul‐T) imaging is reported by designing and demonstrating hyperspectral metamaterial focal plane array (MM‐FPA) interfaces allowing multiband (and individually tunable) responses without compromising on the pixel size. These MM‐FPAs are fully compatible with existing microfabrication technologies and have low noise when operating in the ambient environment. When tested with a set of frequency switchable quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) for multicolor illumination, both MM‐FPAs and QCLs can be tuned to operate at multiple discrete THz frequencies to match analyte “fingerprints.” Versatile imaging capabilities are presented, including unambiguous identification of concealed substances with intrinsic and/or human‐engineered THz characteristics as well as effective diagnosis of cancerous tissues without notable spectral signatures in the THz range, underscoring the utility of applying multispectral approaches in this compelling wavelength range for sensing/identification and medical imaging.