Meta-material gives near perfect medical scan

Researchers at the University of Liverpool have mathematically shown that it is possible to have full control over sound waves – which could improve medical scans like ultra sounds.

New technology could mean highly accurate 3-D medical scans

Using ‘meta-materials’ – which have properties that are determined by their structure rather than their composition and often exhibit characteristics not found in natural materials – the team managed to generate ultra sound waves with negative refractive behaviour which gives almost perfect medical scans.

Dr Sebastien Guenneau from the University of Liverpool Mathematical Sciences department said: “This theory becomes particularly interesting when considering ultrasound, which is a sound pressure used to penetrate an object to help produce an image of what the object looks like inside. This is most commonly used in pregnancy scans to produce an image of a foetus. We found that at a particular wave frequency the meta-material has a negative refractive effect, which means that the image produced in the flat lens appears at a high resolution in exactly the same way it appears in reality.”

The group also found that at the point where the material becomes negatively refracting the meta-material becomes invisible. This means that if they were to use sonogram technology, it could be possible to make the image appear in midair like a hologram rather than on a computer screen. 
 
If meta-materials are successfully adapted to sound waves they could also produce more accurate images of the earth to help find locate areas to drill for oil.

By Leila Sattary