Reducing the Threat to Public Safety: Improved metallic object characterisation, location and detection
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Manchester
Department Name: Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Abstract
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Publications
Wilson J
(2020)
Design and construction of a bespoke system for the detection of buried, iron-rich meteorites in Antarctica
in Antarctic Science
Ledger P
(2018)
An Explicit Formula for the Magnetic Polarizability Tensor for Object Characterization
in IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing
Wilson B
(2022)
Identification of metallic objects using spectral magnetic polarizability tensor signatures: Object classification
in International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering
Ledger P
(2021)
Identification of metallic objects using spectral magnetic polarizability tensor signatures: Object characterisation and invariants
in International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering
Watson F
(2021)
A polarization tensor approximation for the Hessian in iterative solvers for non-linear inverse problems
in Inverse Problems in Science and Engineering
Ledger P
(2018)
Generalised magnetic polarizability tensors
in Mathematical Methods in the Applied Sciences
Ledger P
(2019)
The spectral properties of the magnetic polarizability tensor for metallic object characterisation
in Mathematical Methods in the Applied Sciences
| Description | The aim of this project is to improve MD across a complete spectrum of applications by better location and discrimination of multiple objects leading to a reduction in false positives. This is being achieved through the following objectives: 1. Deeper understanding of metal detector theory based on Magnetic Polarisability Tensors (MPTs) to innovate a step change in detector design. 2. Development of a fast and accurate simulation tool for MPTs using scientific computing. 3. Improved detector design based on a deeper understanding of MD theory. 4. Validation and verification of computed MPTs using measurements for relevant applications. 5. Improving classification and discrimination of conducting objects. |
| Exploitation Route | Through the Innovate UK projects with Metrasens and Rapiscan and with Magnapower listed under further funding. The IUK project with Metrasens / Rapiscan will allow the results to be used to improve the performance and range of metal detection products on the market. The IUK project with Magnapower will enable new metal sorting equipment to be brought to the international market by a UK manufacturer. |
| Sectors | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Electronics,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Security and Diplomacy,Transport |
| Description | In Summer 2021, we gave a virtual exhibit at the prestigious Royal Society Summer Exhibition which took place over the week from 8 July 2021 and was a totally digital event. The research is the EPSRC project "Reducing the Threat to Public Safety: Improved metallic object characterisation, location and detection" helped to underpin our exhibit "Sensing danger", which focussed on the problems faced in discriminating between buried objects for humanitarian demining. See https://royalsociety.org/science-events-and-lectures/2021/summer-science-exhibition/ The flash lecture "Landmine or bottle top" associated with our exhibit (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmZa8xesfJM ) attracted over 14k view and our exhibit was one of the three to feature on the Radio 4 Inside Science programme (first released 8 July 2021). |
| First Year Of Impact | 2021 |
| Sector | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Electronics,Security and Diplomacy,Transport |
| Impact Types | Societal |
| Description | A novel Smart Metal Detector (SMD) to detect and locate real threats (e.g. handguns and knives) without interrupting the normal flow of public, thus leading to far more accurate, efficient and cost-effective security screening |
| Amount | £1,366,412 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 39814 |
| Organisation | Innovate UK |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2020 |
| End | 07/2022 |
| Description | Lectureship in Personnel Screening Systems |
| Amount | £550,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Rapiscan Systems |
| Sector | Private |
| Country | United States |
| Start | 10/2019 |
| End | 09/2024 |
| Description | Realising Advanced Sensor Technology for Enhanced Recovery of Metal Scrap (RASTER) |
| Amount | £584,484 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/W021013/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2022 |
| End | 04/2025 |
| Description | The Metal-ID separation system: A new approach to recovering non-ferrous metals using multi-frequency metal-detection and machine learning. |
| Amount | £326,031 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 72207 |
| Organisation | Innovate UK |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 11/2020 |
| End | 04/2022 |
| Description | On-going collaboration with Rapiscan Systems |
| Organisation | Rapiscan Systems |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Supporting the industrial partner in developing novel personnel screening technology based on a better understanding of metal detection theory and its application. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding of University lectureship - Dr Michael O'Toole. Knowledge and expertise in industrial metal detection as in-kind contribution. |
| Impact | Characterization of metal object responses (e.g. firearms, knifes, innocuous objects etc) Tensor measurement equipment Design support for new security screening products. Funding of lectureship position |
| Title | Method and apparatus for determining conductivity |
| Description | Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of and an apparatus for determining conductivity of a metal target. An interrogation magnetic field is provided and induces an electrical current in the metal target. A resultant magnetic field is generated by the electrical current. In-phase and out-of-phase components of the resultant magnetic field are determined for the target at a first frequency (conductivity limit due to skin depth) and a second frequency of the interrogation magnetic field respectively. The conductivity of the metal target is determined based on the in-phase and out-of-phase components at the first and second frequencies. |
| IP Reference | PCT/GB2018/051173 |
| Protection | Patent granted |
| Year Protection Granted | 2018 |
| Licensed | Yes |
| Impact | Licence with Magnapower to exploit this technology |
| Description | Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Finding buried targets presents a serious challenge - especially in the detection and removal of anti-personnel landmines. Our research is pioneering cutting edge sub-surface detection technology for humanitarian demining. This work centres on the combination of innovative electromagnetic inspection and ground-penetrating radar, leading to safer, faster, and more effective landmine clearance. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://royalsociety.org/science-events-and-lectures/2020/summer-science-exhibition/ |