Terahertz User Group

The following is an interview with Dr Mira Naftaly, Chair of the Terahertz User Group…

Please give a brief history of the group.
The Terahertz User Group was founded in August 2021 by Professor Robert Smith, then Director of the Research Centre in Nondestructive Evaluation (RCNDE), in recognition of the growing importance of terahertz (THz) as a tool for non-destructive testing (NDT). Since then, the group has had eight meetings. We are an international group of around 60 members from 12 countries, comprising THz manufacturers and academics, as well as users of THz technology.

What are the purposes of the group?
The main goals of the group are: to advocate for the use of THz non-destructive testing; to bring together end-users, manufacturers and researchers; and to work towards producing industry guides and training material. Our terms of reference describe the aim of the group as follows: “To promote and advance techniques utilising THz technologies to inspect components, materials and structures, and to recommend standardisation and best practice as appropriate.”

What is your personal role within the group?
I chair the group. When Professor Smith set up the group, he called for a volunteer to take over as Chair because his area of expertise is ultrasonics, not THz. I came forward because I am very enthusiastic about applying THz in the NDT industry and promoting its use, and because I believe that my position at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is particularly suited to this task. NPL has strong links with both academia and industry and its role as the UK’s National Metrology Institute (NMI) is to support both. I am the Lead Scientist of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) THz facility at NPL and also have good links with many THz manufacturers.

What are the key achievements of the group?
We have published two leaflets for the public. The first gives an overview of THz technologies for NDT and the second provides details on which THz technologies are suited to different applications. Both leaflets can be downloaded from the BINDT website: www.bindt.org/branches-and-committees/User-Groups/terahertz-user-group

How can readers learn more about the group and THz technology in general?
We encourage you to meet members of the group at the NDT 2023 and CM 2023 conferences, which are taking place in Northampton from 12-14 September 2023. I will be presenting a plenary talk at 10.20 am on Tuesday 12 September, titled: ‘Terahertz: a new tool for non-destructive testing’. The group is also planning to start a half-day THz appreciation course in 2024 to be presented to the BINDT community at various venues.

How can readers get involved in the group?
To join the group, please contact Eleanor Flower, the group secretary, at BINDT, by email to eleanor.flower@bindt.org. If you have any questions about the group, please get in touch with Dr Mira Naftaly at mira.naftaly@npl.co.uk
The membership of the THz user group includes academic researchers in the field of THz measurements and devices, alongside manufacturers of THz instrumentation. As a group, we have a wealth of expertise and experience in every aspect of THz measurements, systems and applications. We look forward to hearing from you.

The next group to be featured in the ‘In Focus’ column will be the Engineering Council Working Group in January 2024. If you have questions for this group, please send them to the editor at ndtnews@bindt.org or Maria Felice at mvfelice@gmail.com. The value of this column depends on your questions, so please do send them in. It is your choice whether we keep them anonymous or mention your name.

Looking for the People in NDE column? This column will continue on an occasional basis, so if you have any interviewees to recommend, or would like to be featured yourself, please contact the editor at ndtnews@bindt.org or email Maria Felice at mvfelice@gmail.com

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