Enlarged Microalgae Shell Reveals Optical Breakthrough for Medical Imaging

International researchers have recreated and enlarged a diatom microalgae shell by 2,000 times to confirm a novel optical effect using terahertz waves. This breakthrough demonstrates how natural biological structures can be scaled up to develop new imaging technologies for medical and biological applications. The findings enable scientists to design compact components that focus and shape light waves in terahertz devices, which are emerging tools for non-invasive medical imaging. These advances could improve diagnostic imaging systems while also enabling non-destructive material testing in industrial settings, offering promising applications across healthcare and manufacturing sectors.