"Working together, the investigators at the Center for Terahertz Research have made remarkable accomplishments, with breakthroughs in microscopy, medical imaging, and new research to identify terrorist threats," said Flaherty, as he addressed a gathering of students and faculty to announce the opening of the center.

In addition to Zhang, the center has three other faculty members: Professor Michael Shur and Assistant Professors Roland Kersting and Ingrid Wilke.

"Our proposal to the Keck Foundation was a strong match for what the foundation funds: cutting-edge research that may result in new frontiers of scientific discovery," said Veronica Fitzgerald Kaedy, director of foundation relations at Rensselaer. "In addition, the THz research group brought nearly a decade of funding to the table."

"Professor Zhang created the terahertz program 10 years ago," said Gwo Ching Wang, chair of the department of physics. "He has been a great inspiration to many, many students."

"We have had help from many people," said Zhang. "I have had excellent support from Rensselaer and from the members of our 'terahertz family.' I certainly couldn't do it myself."