Object Detection, Location and Identification at Radio Frequencies in the Near Field

Lead Research Organisation: University of Manchester
Department Name: Mathematics

Abstract

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Description Discoveries This works has led to the following developments and achievements 1) New mathematical theory describing the characterisation of objects in regime between magnetic induction and wave propagation. 2) New improved open-source software for object characterisation that allows accurate characterisation of highly conducting magnetic objects at frequencies at the limit of the eddy current model. 3) New detailed comparisons with experimental measurements of complex real-world objects showing the accuracy and validity of the characterisation to the limit of the eddy current model. 4) New computational algorithms for efficient and accurate computations of object characterisations including adaptive reduced order models, fast output computations, prismatic layers for resolving thin skin-depth effects. 5) A large bank of Jupyter tutorials and in-person tutorial sessions for use of the developed software. Further developments are in-progress.
Exploitation Route Academic users can build on the new theory that has been developed to better understand regime between the eddy current model and wave-propagation. This would lead to design of new forms of sensors and detectors for conducting objects. Industry and academia will benefit from the software for characterisation hidden conducting objects. This can be used to build libraries of conducting, magnetic objects for metal detection applications in security screening, identifying metallic objects in food production, location and identification of UXOs, searching for artefacts in archeology and in manufacturing and industrial processes. The Jupyter notebooks make the software accessible, and several tutorials have been organised with industry and academia. Academic users can apply the developments in accurately resolving skin-depth effects and accurate and efficient reduced order models to other important areas in electromagnetism and inverse problems. This could include non-destructive testing of materials and magnetic induction tomography for medical imaging.
Sectors Aerospace

Defence and Marine

Agriculture

Food and Drink

Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software)

Electronics

Energy

Environment

Healthcare

Manufacturing

including Industrial Biotechology

Culture

Heritage

Museums and Collections

Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology

Security and Diplomacy

Transport
URL https://pdledger.wordpress.com
 
Description Findings Tutorials on the developed MPT-Calculator (Autumn 2022 Release and June 2023 Release) have been organsied in Autumn 2022 and Spring 2023. In Autumn 2022 a series of four tutorials on MPT-Calculator were organised with a company specialising in metal detection and the workshop was attended by 5 participants from the company. In Spring 2023 a further two workshops were organised. One to update the company with the latest improvements to the software and a further one-day workshop with on-line and in-person participants from industry and academia. In Spring 2023 a one-day long tutorial on MPT-Calculator was organised at the Isaac Newton Institute in Cambridge. This was attended by international representatives from academia, online international participants and participants from industry.
First Year Of Impact 2023
Sector Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Electronics,Energy,Environment,Healthcare,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Security and Diplomacy
Impact Types Economic
 
Title MPT Calculator (new version) 
Description Python code using FEM to calculate magnetic polarizability tensors 
Type Of Technology Software 
Year Produced 2023 
Open Source License? Yes  
Impact Used by metal detector researchers in engineering 
 
Description School talk Manchester 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Talk to sixformers in Manchester on mathematics of demiining
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019