# Keep Your Shoes On at the Airport T-Ray Scanners By Bianca | Published 2007-11-28 | Unique Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shoes-airport-t-ray-scanner References: [uk.reuters](http://uk.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUKN2753587020071127?feedType=nl&feedName=uktechnology) Thanks to new T-ray scanners, removing shoes at the airport could become a thing of the past. As a recurring victim of ["random" searches](http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/random-searches) at airports, and a frequent traveler to the U.S., I'm well aware of the hassles involved in airport security, which is why this new system using a T-ray scanner is so exciting! Although it may sound like an oxymoron, the electromagnetic radiation in the T-ray (terahertz radiation) scanners is "harmless" according to [Reuters](http://uk.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUKN2753587020071127?feedType=nl&feedName=uktechnology). "T-rays are part of the electromagnetic spectrum that lies between microwaves on the low end and infrared radiation on the high end," Reuters said. "Unlike [conventional X-rays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portable-xray), which can cause cell damage, T-rays do not have enough energy to alter cell ionization, which can lead to radiation sickness or cancer. "And while they cannot see through metals or water, they can penetrate many common materials like leather, fabric, cardboard and paper." There are too many reasons the T-ray would be great, including saving our precious nostrils from the wretched fumes of those plagued by odorous, sweaty feet. Not only that, but it would save a lot of time for those women (myself included) who insist on wearing fussy shoes and tight, tall [boots](http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hot-boots)they have to sit down to pop off. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.2/10 - Popularity: 24% | Activity: 4% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Unique](https://www.trendhunter.com/unique) > [Inventions](https://www.trendhunter.com/inventions) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **T-ray Scanners:** The development of T-ray scanners in airport security presents a disruptive innovation opportunity to eliminate the need for removing shoes during screenings. - **Harmless Electromagnetic Radiation:** Utilizing harmless T-ray radiation in scanners offers a disruptive innovation opportunity to enhance airport security without posing health risks associated with conventional X-rays. - **Material Penetration:** T-ray scanners' ability to penetrate common materials opens up a disruptive innovation opportunity for more efficient and comfortable airport security screenings. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Airport Security:** The implementation of T-ray scanners revolutionizes airport security, providing a disruptive innovation opportunity to streamline the screening process. - **Footwear Industry:** The introduction of T-ray scanners in airport security creates a disruptive innovation opportunity for the footwear industry to design and market odor-reducing and easily removable shoes. - **Fashion Industry:** T-ray scanners' impact on airport security presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for the fashion industry to create stylish yet convenient footwear options for travelers. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Kid-Friendly 3D Foot Scanners](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3d-foot-scanner.md) - [RFID-Enabled Sport Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/banbroken-artdesign-sport-shoes.md) - [Contactless Airport Shops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/airport-shop.md) - [AI-Powered Shoe Scanners](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aetrex.md) - [Sanitizing Shoe Cabinets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rootsense.md) - [Shoe Mileage Trackers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shoes-lifespan.md) - [Hygienic Shoe Care Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lg-styler-shoecare-and-shoecase.md) - [AI-Backed Airport Lanes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/clear.md) - [See-Through Ride-On Suitcases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/airwheel-suitcase.md)