Smartphones That See Through Objects—What's Next?

Cell phones could take a leap forward in applications, allowing people to see through objects, if a California Institute of Technology professor's chip technology goes into commercial use.

Bloomberg Business reports the chip employs terahertz waves—known as T-rays—which can go through plastic, wood and skin. They could speed up airport security and could have medical uses, such as cancer detection.

T-rays produce less energy than x-rays and are relatively harmless, said Hajimiri in the article. They've been used experimentally in medical and dental imaging.

But people who watch the industry say if the technology goes into smartphones, it could raise a host of issues surrounding privacy.

TELL US: Is this the kind of app you'd like in your phone? Would you like other people to have it in theirs? Let's start the conversation in the comments below.