Fructooligosaccharide is an efficient, practical, pollution-free and residue-free antibiotic substitute. It can not only improve intestinal microecology, but also regulate protein and fat metabolism and improve immunity. There are about 500 kinds of fructooligosaccharides in Japan, which have been regarded as a kind of food. Some developed countries have used fructooligosaccharides as functional additives in animal husbandry. Yacon is rich in fructooligosaccharides, and its water-soluble dietary fiber can promote intestinal peristalsis, moisten intestines and relieve constipation. The most wonderful thing is that it is also the best nutritional component for the reproduction and growth of Bifidobacterium, and it is the proliferation factor of Bifidobacterium. Therefore, it is of great market significance to study the efficient cultivation mode of yacon suitable for the local area. However, due to the lack of vibration absorption of sugar molecules, it is difficult to obtain its characteristic spectrum by previous spectral methods, so it is difficult to accurately determine fructooligosaccharides. However, terahertz covers a wide spectrum range, has weak power and strong penetration ability, and has no damage to biological samples. Using terahertz technology, it can be shown that different carbohydrates have their own characteristic absorption peaks in terahertz band. Therefore, terahertz technology can be used to assist the breeding of plants rich in fructooligosaccharides such as yacon, which will be a major breakthrough and innovation in technology. In China, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Sichuan Agricultural University, Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Ouhua Biotechnology Electronic Technology Innovation Co., Ltd. jointly declared the project of introducing plants rich in fructooligosaccharides by using terahertz technology. This project focuses on the determination of terahertz characteristic spectrum of fructooligosaccharides, and the introduction, breeding and industrialization of yacon rich in fructooligosaccharides. Recently, the project has been successfully approved by Chengdu Science and Technology Bureau. This indicates that the application of terahertz technology in Sichuan Province has been substantially promoted, which is of great significance to terahertz industrialization. 2. Hidden terahertz waves: from detecting tumors to exploring the universe.
X-rays used for fracture fluorescence imaging and microwaves used for heating leftovers are all part of electromagnetic waves, which also include light waves and radio.
Meanwhile, little-known terahertz waves are being used to penetrate clothes, identify explosives and drugs, and detect tumors. Terahertz waves are often ignored and have even been used to explore the universe.
The electromagnetic spectrum spans from long-wavelength radio waves at one end to high-energy short-wavelength X-rays and gamma rays at the other end. Between microwave and X-ray, the least studied area in the spectrum, T-ray, or terahertz ray, is located in it, which is the most common ray form in the universe.
If you have never heard of terahertz waves, it is because scientists still have difficulty in controlling them. Although the first scientific paper on this subject was published on the first page of 1890 PhysicalReview, so far, the generation, detection and utilization of terahertz rays are still facing challenges, which hinders the research and development of technology.
In recent ten years, researchers began to develop waveguides, filters and optical splitter to manipulate terahertz waves through more effective terahertz ray generators and detectors.
A company named QinetiQ used a millimeter-wave camera to take an image of a man wearing a full suit, marking the hidden guns. Terahertz cameras are considered similar, but more useful.
"At this point, this technology is still immature," said DanielMittleman, an electrical engineer at the Terahertz Laboratory of Rice University. "Terahertz is only now, and X-rays were discovered in 1905, ten years later than Roentgen discovered X-rays."
Many everyday materials, such as clothes, plastics and wood, look transparent in terahertz imaging. In addition, the absorption of radiation with different frequencies depends on the type of material.
According to the absorption frequency, researchers have been able to identify special explosives and drugs with unique "fingerprints".
For example, an envelope containing white powder cannot be judged by the naked eye. But with terahertz imaging, postal work can determine whether the powder in the package is stimulant or aspirin. Explosives in luggage will be easier to find. Terahertz waves have been used in various jobs.
This technology has been applied in some hospitals as a new and harmless diagnostic tool for doctors to detect tumors. Compared with previous detection tools, this method reduces the cost and pain. Researchers at the University of Liverpool hope to destroy skin cancer cells by bombarding them with terahertz rays.
Cigarette manufacturers such as PhillipMorris are studying how to use terahertz waves for factory quality control.
After cigarettes are packed in boxes, the imaging system will check the moisture content and tobacco density of each cigarette. Traditional methods may expose workers to radiation risks, but there is no danger in installing terahertz equipment in factories.
"This is a high-end technology to solve low-end technical problems, but there is no low-end technology that can be solved at present." Mitterman said, "So this high-tech solution is the best solution."
Pharmaceutical companies also use high-tech solutions to test the ingredients of their pills without inserting needles into capsules. Terahertz imaging technology can even measure the thickness of sugar coating of pills.
With the help of terahertz imaging system made by Picometrix Company in Michigan, NASA can find small defects in the foam material of space shuttle insulation tile.
Terahertz also has astronomical applications. The satellite Herschel Space Observatory, which is scheduled to be launched in 2008, is a terahertz version of the Hubble Space Telescope. In Chile, Atacama Large Millimeter Wave Submillimeter Wave Interference Array (ALMA), one of the largest telescope arrays in the world, is under construction. It will detect electromagnetic waves with terahertz wavelength, hoping to find objects in the early universe.
Despite this, terahertz technology is still in its infancy, and Mittelman warned everyone to be aware of the danger of exaggerating the actual capabilities of terahertz waves.
"People's use of terahertz can be listed in a long list, and it is not completely involved." He said, "I firmly believe that I will succeed in some ideas. I wouldn't be surprised if success is something we never thought about. "