TeraLumen Solutions is building India’s terahertz industry from the ground up

TeraLumen Solutions, a Chennai-based company founded in 2019, is pioneering India's terahertz industry. The startup's founder, Jyotirmayee Dash, encountered terahertz technology during her PhD, when importing devices was prohibitively expensive. Dash saw an opportunity to develop such technology domestically, leading to TeraLumen's creation.

Initially focused on cancer-margin detection for research, the company has since expanded into industrial inspection and research equipment. TeraLumen now employs 25 people and manufactures its own hardware and software, including three flagship products: TeraXPLOR, TeraNIM, and TeraMargin. TeraXPLOR and TeraNIM are commercialized, while TeraMargin is undergoing clinical trials.

The company's products use terahertz waves to inspect materials without damaging them, with applications ranging from coating thickness measurement to defect detection. TeraMargin uses terahertz imaging and AI to identify cancerous tissue margins. TeraLumen sells its systems as products rather than primarily as a service, with pricing customized based on application and customisation level, starting around Rs 25 lakh.

The company claims to have reduced system costs by about 30% compared to imported alternatives. TeraLumen emphasizes close collaboration with customers, integrating feedback to improve its products, such as developing scanners and robotic-arm integration. The company's advantage lies in controlling hardware and software, enabling customisation for industrial applications.

TeraLumen also develops software for signal processing and incorporates AI into its systems to make terahertz technology less complicated for end users. With a focus on being a global key terahertz supplier, Dash aims to offer integrated solutions to industries.