Perspectives on terahertz honey bee sensing
Terahertz (THz) technology provides precise monitoring capabilities in dynamic environments, offering unique insights into insect habitats. Our study focuses on environmental monitoring of European honey bees (Apis mellifera) through a combination of measurements and simulations. Initially, the dielectric material properties of honey bee body parts are characterized across the spectral range of 1-500 GHz to collect heterogeneous empirical data. To extend the study, honey bee mockups made from polyamide 12 (PA12) and epoxy resin are employed and validated as effective substitutes for real bees through comparative scattering analyses. The research further explores radar cross-section (RCS), imaging, and spectral properties using advanced THz technologies, including resonant tunneling diodes (RTDs) operating at 250 GHz and THz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) for frequencies exceeding 250 GHz. High-resolution imaging, utilizing a 450 GHz bandwidth, captures intricate anatomical features of both real and 3D-printed bees, showcasing the potential of THz technology for detailed environmental monitoring. Finally, simulations at 300 GHz assess the dosimetry and feasibility of non-invasive, continuous monitoring approaches based on the heterogeneous honey bee model.
Authors
- Fawad Sheikh (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4112-5988)
- Arno Thielens (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8089-6382)
- Basem Aqlan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5627-4700)
- Tobias Kubiczek (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5625-3208)
- Simone Clochiatti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2911-6678)
- Eline De Borre (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3890-9629)
- V. Jeladze (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2264-8935)
- Mandana Jalali (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7187-8051)
- Daniel Erni (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1467-6373)
- David Toribio (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2336-1821)
- Jan Taro Svejda (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9779-1456)
- Pooya Alibeigloo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8138-2142)
- Nils Weimann (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6665-9949)
- Thomas Kaiser (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9679-5968)
- Jan C. Balzer (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9857-0295)
- Andreas Prokscha (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0869-3863)
- Robin Kress (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1817-0553)
- Enes Mutlu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9616-6851)
- Livia Wiedau
- Jonas Watermann (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5302-1735)
- Jonathan Abts (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0092-7598)
- Pieterjan De Boose
- Felipe Oliveira Ribas (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0433-4542)
- Christian Preuss (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-9837-0746)
Institutions
- The Graduate Center, CUNY (US)
- Georgian Technical University (GE)
- City University of New York (US)
- Ghent University (BE)
- University of Duisburg-Essen (DE)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Scientific Reports
- Published
- 2025-03-27
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-91630-8
- Citations
- 6
- Primary Topic
- Plant and animal studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 18.16
Funders
- Universität Duisburg-Essen