Portable Rugged Integration Survey Magnetometer for Ground Survey & Environmental Impact Analysis (PRISM-GSEIA)

**PRISM--GSEIA** will explore how optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs), a second-generation quantum sensing technology, can make Ground Surveys (GS) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for transport projects faster, more accurate and more reliable.

OPMs measure small changes in the Earth's magnetic field using laser-prepared atomic states. Compared with traditional magnetometers, they offer high sensitivity and stability in a compact, non-cryogenic form factor. Used well, this can improve the detection and mapping of buried ferrous or armoured objects (for example legacy ironwork, steel-reinforced structures, tanks or drums) that affect construction planning and environmental management.

Over three months, this desk-based study will engage end users to:

* define the use-case and user/system requirements for a portable survey solution;
* outline a requirements-driven system architecture; and,
* develop a business plan and commercialisation strategy for a candidate product.

Benefits we are targeting include:

* **Better certainty, earlier:** clearer subsurface intelligence to reduce surprises that drive redesigns, delays and cost.
* **Safer, more targeted works:** improved triage of areas for follow-up with existing tools and fewer unnecessary trial pits.
* **Lower environmental impact:** less intrusive investigation and better-focused mitigation, supporting EIA commitments.
* **Operational efficiency:** potential for higher-quality data at practical survey speeds, with a pathway to faster survey methods.