Turkish scientists developing “super eyes” that can photograph
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Oluşturulma Tarihi: Aralık 23, 2007 16:15
A team of scientists from Istanbul Technical University (ITÜ) have developed tomography equipment that is as strong as Superman’s eyes: there will be no more secrets hidden under concrete or soil. The equipment will be able to produce images of plastic landmines, petrol reserves, mines and damaged columns in buildings.
44 year-old Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Akduman from the ITÜ Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering is the brains behind the breakthrough technology. Akduman says that tomography is mostly known for its use in medicine, “However, the real field of research is into buried objects. We want to obtain computerised images of everything that is under the ground.”
When the work is completed, the technology will play a crucial role in the military, as it will make it possible to capture images of buried landmines from the air. Stating that landmines can be divided into two groups, Akduman explains, “One type contains metals. These are simple as they can be easily detected with normal metal detectors. The other contains plastics, which cannot be detected with normal detectors. There has not yet been a detector that can detect these. Once the project is completed, we should be able to detect these. Landmines, pipes, cracks in pipes or a petrol reserve. We will see whatever there is to see.”
Research to aid medicine
Prof. Dr. Akduman also states that this technology will aid medical science, as it will enable doctors to see where exactly cancerous cells lie. Pointing out that it is currently not possible to see the exact whereabouts of cancerous cells, Akduman states, “When there is a cancerous area inside the body, the doctor removes it, but even if one single cell remains, it divides immediately and even spreads to the rest of the body. If it is possible to see which cell is cancerous, it is theoretically possible to remove the cancer completely.”
The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) has provided 450,000 YTL financial support as well as technical infrastructure for the research.
When the work is completed, the technology will play a crucial role in the military, as it will make it possible to capture images of buried landmines from the air. Stating that landmines can be divided into two groups, Akduman explains, “One type contains metals. These are simple as they can be easily detected with normal metal detectors. The other contains plastics, which cannot be detected with normal detectors. There has not yet been a detector that can detect these. Once the project is completed, we should be able to detect these. Landmines, pipes, cracks in pipes or a petrol reserve. We will see whatever there is to see.”
Research to aid medicine
Prof. Dr. Akduman also states that this technology will aid medical science, as it will enable doctors to see where exactly cancerous cells lie. Pointing out that it is currently not possible to see the exact whereabouts of cancerous cells, Akduman states, “When there is a cancerous area inside the body, the doctor removes it, but even if one single cell remains, it divides immediately and even spreads to the rest of the body. If it is possible to see which cell is cancerous, it is theoretically possible to remove the cancer completely.”
The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) has provided 450,000 YTL financial support as well as technical infrastructure for the research.