A video camera that can see through people and objects could soon become reality thanks to a new system developed by Reza Zoughi and his team from Missouri University of Science and Technology. In the video above, you can see the current device in action as it images a pair of scissors hidden inside a plastic case.
It's currently made up of two parts: a transmitter that sends out microwave signals and a collector at the other end that detects the scattered field from an object placed in between them. The signal is then transmitted to a laptop that displays images of the object in real time, picking up up to 30 images per second at different depths.
Although existing imaging technologies, like full-body scanners at airports, can produce similar results, this device is portable and delivers high-resolution images in real time. It's powered by a battery similar to those used in laptops so can run for several hours without needing to be recharged.
The team is now working on a one-sided system that will function in a similar way to a video camera. It should be useful for inspection purposes, from screening passengers at airports to monitoring skin conditions, like cancer and burns, and could even help homeowners to detect termite damage.
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"Further down the line, we plan to develop a wide-band camera capable of producing real-time 3D or holographic images," says Zoughi, who recently won an award from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) for his work on this device.
If you enjoyed this video, you might also like to see a night vision system that was inspired by dung beetles or a camera modified to capture high speed video.
