NextEye "MindsEye Selected for National Project to Develop THz Wave-Based Non-Destructive Inspection System"

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunseok Yoo] NextEye announced on the 26th that its subsidiary MindsEye has been selected for the ‘2020 Tech-Bridge Utilization Commercialization Technology Development Project Phase 2,’ a national project, and will carry out the task of ‘Development of Non-Destructive Inspection System through Localization of THz (Terahertz) Wave Optical Devices and Components.’

This national project is a follow-up to the ‘SoBuJang Dedicated Technology Transfer R&D Project’ operated by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups to promote technological independence and early localization for small and medium enterprises in the materials, parts, and equipment sectors. Core technologies from universities and research institutes in the SoBuJang field are transferred to SMEs to proceed with subsequent commercialization work. The Ministry of SMEs and Startups will support 240 projects with a total budget of 252.5 billion KRW by 2027, and this year, it will discover 50 projects and support them with 13 billion KRW.

MindsEye plans to develop a THz wave-based non-destructive inspection system by receiving technology transfer from the Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation of Jeonbuk National University for the ‘THz wave-based non-destructive and non-contact inspection device and method for composite structures.’ This technology irradiates THz waves onto composite laminated structures of two or more layers to calculate interlayer thickness or detect internal and external defects.

THz waves can penetrate non-metallic materials, enabling detection of internal defects in plastics and non-metallic heat-resistant materials, and have advantages such as high spatial resolution and being harmless to the human body. Unlike simple planar structure inspections, it allows non-contact, non-destructive inspection of complex three-dimensional structures, making it highly applicable to various industries using composite materials such as the automotive industry, aerospace industry, shipbuilding, railroads, and wind energy.

A MindsEye official stated, “Currently, the domestic THz equipment market heavily depends on overseas sources for major optical components and systems, making localization of key components essential,” and added, “There is an urgent need to develop a THz non-destructive inspection system that is compact, high-speed, low-cost, and applicable to various industrial environments.”

He continued, “Through this research, we will not only enter the domestic and global non-destructive testing markets but also create economic ripple effects by developing various application technologies in fields such as automobiles, aircraft, ships, and defense,” emphasizing, “With our track record of entering the non-destructive inspection market and research experience with numerous partner institutions, we will swiftly secure technological leadership by developing a highly precise THz wave non-destructive inspection system.”