Columbia, South Carolina Patent of the Year – 2024/2025
Doty Scientific Inc. has been awarded the 2024/2025 Patent of the Year for its breakthrough in terahertz signal transmission. Their invention, detailed in U.S. Patent No. 11978943, titled ‘Terahertz waveguide comprising an outer copper layer laminated with an inner dielectric layer to form a rolled guide tube which is encased by a support tube’, offers a new approach to guiding high-frequency electromagnetic waves with greater efficiency and lower cost.
This innovative waveguide design combines a copper exterior with a dielectric interior, rolled into a flexible tube and encased in a support structure. The structure enables transmission of terahertz waves with minimal signal loss, supporting applications in security scanning, medical imaging, and ultra-fast wireless communications.
Unlike conventional bulky or rigid waveguides, this rolled configuration is lightweight, compact, and easier to manufacture. Its smooth interior and layered materials reduce interference and signal degradation, delivering improved performance in a smaller footprint. The design also allows for tapered transitions, simplifying integration into existing systems.
Doty Scientific Inc.’s solution addresses a long-standing challenge in the terahertz field – how to guide these high-frequency waves reliably without complex machining or high expense. This patent sets a new benchmark for terahertz device engineering and opens doors for widespread industrial use of this emerging spectrum.