Sample identification system combining X-ray imaging and diffraction, based upon the use of a pixelated, energy resolving sensor
Lead Research Organisation:
University College London
Department Name: Medical Physics and Biomedical Eng
Abstract
Illicit drugs are a major problem for society and it is estimated to cost the UK £15.4 billion per year. One of the problems faced by police forces and UKBA officers is the ability to test objects or containers found on individuals or groups of individuals at the scene of a suspected crime or at points of entry to the UK (airports, ports, etc). This project is to develop a compact sample analyser that could provide detailed analysis of sufficient quality to be used as evidence in court without opening the packaging. The system is based upon a novel approach to a well know analytical procedure - X-ray diffraction. X-ray diffraction is usually carried out in one of two ways. These are called angular dispersive or energy dispersive and they each have advantages and disadvantages. This project uses a new X-ray sensor developed by the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in a mode that allows the two X-ray diffraction approaches to be combined into one. This uses the best of both approaches and gives high quality sample analysis in a matter of seconds without any moving parts.
Organisations
- University College London (Lead Research Organisation)
- Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (DSTL) (Collaboration)
- University of Surrey (Collaboration)
- Wellcome Trust (Collaboration)
- Qinetiq (United Kingdom) (Collaboration)
- Axi-Tek (Collaboration)
- Rapiscan Systems (Collaboration)
- Metrix NDT Ltd (Project Partner)
Publications


Moss R
(2017)
miniPixD : a compact sample analysis system which combines X-ray imaging and diffraction
in Journal of Instrumentation

Moss RM
(2017)
Correlation of X-ray diffraction signatures of breast tissue and their histopathological classification.
in Scientific reports

O'Flynn D
(2017)
Energy-windowed, pixellated X-ray diffraction using the Pixirad CdTe detector
in Journal of Instrumentation

O'Flynn D
(2016)
Materials identification using a small-scale pixellated x-ray diffraction system
in Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics
Description | We have built a compact sample analyser based on Pixellated X-ray diffraction. The performance is enhanced compared to other systems we have built and it is currently being used in two new areas. Firstly the analysis of counterfiet drugs and secondly in developing an in-theatre system for positive margin detection in breast cancer treatment. |
Exploitation Route | The output could form a demonstrator for commercial involvement. |
Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Chemicals Healthcare Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology Culture Heritage Museums and Collections Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology Security and Diplomacy Transport |
Description | This project is now completed and the instrument has been built and evaluated. The technique has been applied to two areas apart from the original intention of drug/explosive detection. It has been used in breast cancer research as a rapid histology tool and has also been used as a system for detecting fake or sub-standard drugs. A more recent activity has involved using this technology to investigate fake agrochemicals. However, it has not shown sufficient sensitivity on small samples to detect the types of fakes that are most common. |
First Year Of Impact | 2016 |
Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Healthcare,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology,Security and Diplomacy,Transport |
Impact Types | Societal Economic |
Description | DSTL tender |
Amount | £250,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (DSTL) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2014 |
End | 03/2016 |
Description | IPS |
Amount | £450,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 05/2015 |
End | 05/2018 |
Description | Pilot Study |
Amount | £25,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Breast Cancer Now |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2015 |
End | 09/2016 |
Description | STFC Impact Acceleration Award |
Amount | £5,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2014 |
End | 12/2014 |
Title | PixD |
Description | A technique to enhance X-ray diffraction measurements. Based around an energy resolving pixellated detector the technique enables both energy and angular resolved data to be collected at the same time. When expressed in momentum transfer space the data collection time is much reduced. |
Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
Year Produced | 2014 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | X-ray diffraction signatures can now be recorded in time frames that enable almost real-time analysis of samples. This means the technique coulkd be used in security sacanning procedures or in the identification of counterfeit dtugs or other time limited applications. |
Title | pixellated diffraction |
Description | development of using pixellated sensors for rapid diffraction m,easurements |
Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Increased speed of data collection new approach to diffraction interpretation using 'images' of diffraction patterns |
Description | Axi-tek |
Organisation | Axi-Tek |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | There have been multiple discussions and meetings to look for commercial interest in the technology |
Collaborator Contribution | There have been multiple discussions and meetings to look for commercial interest in the technology |
Impact | none yet |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | Dundee |
Organisation | Wellcome Trust |
Department | Wellcome Trust Centre for Gene Regulation and Expression |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | We have provide facilities to the University of Dundee |
Collaborator Contribution | They have provided clinical material and advice |
Impact | current paper under preparation |
Start Year | 2010 |
Description | Remote diffraction system |
Organisation | Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (DSTL) |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | We have developed techniques for X-ray diffraction measurements |
Collaborator Contribution | DSTL have supplied equipment to UCL and advice on context of the research. |
Impact | Confidential reports |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | University of Surrey |
Organisation | University of Surrey |
Department | Department of Physics |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Development of new detector materials |
Collaborator Contribution | Use of equipment and methods to evaluate the materials |
Impact | None yet |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | working with Rapiscan |
Organisation | Qinetiq |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | We advise on aspects of radiation science |
Collaborator Contribution | They give us advice on commercial aspects of our activities. They also provide equipment. |
Impact | They will be involved in some of the future publications |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | working with Rapiscan |
Organisation | Rapiscan Systems |
Country | United States |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | We advise on aspects of radiation science |
Collaborator Contribution | They give us advice on commercial aspects of our activities. They also provide equipment. |
Impact | They will be involved in some of the future publications |
Start Year | 2013 |
Title | MiniPixD |
Description | Protype system combining transmission X-ray imaging and X-ray diffraction for through barrier material identification. |
Type Of Technology | New/Improved Technique/Technology |
Year Produced | 2015 |
Impact | Impacts on the identification of sub-standard/fake medicines. impact on X-ray histology of breast cancer potential impact on mail screening |
Description | BIOMEP conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Keynote presentation |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | IRC Showcase |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Opportunity to display work to interested parties (government and industry representatives and potential investors). Questions and discussion took place and postive feedback received. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | IRC showcase |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Gave talk and presented a poster at a security trade exhibition |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | PaCCS |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Two five mintues pitches were given to the audience. Discusasion and questions followed. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |