Recent advances in THz detection with the use of CMOS technology have shown that this option has the potential to be a leading method of producing low-cost THz sensors with integrated readout systems. This review paper, based on authors’ years of experience, presents strengths and weaknesses of this solution. The article gives examples of some hints, regarding radiation coupling and readout systems. It shows that silicon CMOS technology is well adapted to the production of inexpensive imaging systems for sub-THz frequencies. As an example paper presents the demonstrator of a multipixel Si-CMOS THz spectroscopic system allowing for chemical identification of lactose. The THz detectors embedded in this system were manufactured using the CMOS process.

We report on the photoresponse dependence on the terahertz radiation intensity in ALGaN/GaN HEMTs. We show that the ALGaN/GaN HEMT can be used as a THz detector in CW and in pulsed regime up to radiation intensity of several kW/cm². The dynamic range in the pulsed regime of detection can be more than 2 decades. We observed that the photoresponse of the HEMT could have a compound composition if two independent parts of the transistor are involved in the detection process; this result indicates that a more simple one channel device may be preferable on the detection purpose.

In this article, the authors propose and investigate a new concept of HAPS aerostat design in a modular form, which allows for sequential increasing or decreasing of the total volume, up to the desired size. In its initial form, the aerostat has relatively small dimensions but its central cylindrical part is multi-segmented and can be easily extended. The application of controllable construction couplings enables precise control of the aerostat expansion process and significantly improves its vertical mobility. The paper describes details of telescopic aerostat construction, presents a mathematical model of its vertical motion and investigates numerically two volume control strategies aimed at maximization of operation efficiency and minimization of operation cost. The results obtained reveal the main problems that have to be addressed and the factors that play a key role in design of such telescopic aerostats and control of their vertical mobility.

Antarctica is perceived as one of the most pristine environments on Earth, though increasing human activities and global climate change raise concerns about preserving the continent’s environmental quality. Limited in distribution, soils are particularly vulnerable to disturbances and pollution, yet lack of baseline studies limits our abilities to recognize and monitor adverse effects of environmental change. To improve the understanding of natural geochemical variability of soils, a survey was conducted in the fellfield environments of Edmonson Point (Victoria Land). Soil samples were analyzed for six major (Fe, Ca, Mg, Na, K and Ti) and 24 trace elements (As, Ba, Be, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Ga, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sn, Sr, Tl, U, V, Y, Zn and Zr). Relationships among element concentrations in the samples and local bedrock were analyzed to identify their origin and similarities in geochemical cycles. Element concentrations in the soils were highly variable but generally within the lowest values reported elsewhere in Antarctica. Though values of Cd, Mn, Ni and Zn were relatively high, they are consistent with those in the local soil-forming rocks indicating an origin from natural sources rather than anthropogenic contamination. Chemical composition of soils vs. rocks pointed to alkali basalts as the lithogenic source of the soil matrix, but also indicated considerable alteration of elemental composition in the soil. Considering local environmental settings, the soil elemental content was likely affected by marine-derived inputs and very active hydrological processes which enhanced leaching and removal of mobilized elements. Both of these processes may be of particular importance within the context of global climate change as the predicted increases in temperature, water availability and length of the summer season would favor mineral weathering and increase geochemical mobility of elements.