Glasgow University researchers, Dr Tim Drysdale and Professor David Cumming, have been invited to present their research into superhuman vision to Her Majesty The Queen on the 24 October 2006.

Their exhibition, which was displayed at the Royal Society's Summer Science Exhibition in London and Glasgow, shows how terahertz imaging can be used to see the body beneath the clothes, not just the bones that you would see with x-rays. The display will include a terrorist mannequin which spectators will be allowed to frisk for concealed fake knives, guns and explosives.

Dr Drysdale and Professor Cumming have developed a range of devices that enhance performance and add additional functionality to academic and commercial terahertz imaging systems.

Hundreds of scientists apply every year to be part of the Royal Society's Summer Science Exhibition and only 24 are selected. Dr Drysdale and Professor Cumming's research is one of only 12 to be picked from all the successful applicants over the last three years of the exhibition. It will be displayed at a special one-off ScienceDay event at Buckingham Palace where GCSE and A-level students from across the country can view the projects.

The Queen will receive a guided tour of the exhibits.

Dr Drysdale said: "It is an honour to have been chosen from so many fascinating projects. To meet The Queen will be a fantastic experience. "

Professor Cumming added: "This is a great credit to the hard work of all the researchers in the group and they should be very proud."

Kate Richardson (K.richardson@admin.gla.ac.uk)

1. For more information or to speak to Dr Drysdale or Professor Cumming please contact the University of Glasgow?s Media Relations Office on 0141 330 3683 or email k.richardson@admin.gla.ac.uk

2. Terahertz waves lie between the highest radio frequencies and the far infrared representing the last unexplored frontier of the radio and light wave spectrum. The breakthrough came when it was discovered that sending ultra-fast pulses of visible light through specially engineered crystals could generate terahertz waves. The terahertz waves then generate 3D images of objects. It is the pattern of reflection and absorption of terahertz waves that build the image. The depth of structures can be calculated by the tiny time delay between the wave being emitted and reflected back.

First published: 23 October 2006