Rapid Airport Security Screening Using Superconducting Technology - RASSUST

Lead Research Organisation: CARDIFF UNIVERSITY
Department Name: School of Physics and Astronomy

Abstract

Security at airports now commonly involves full body scanners and new regulations in the UK will require all air-passengers to undergo a full body scan by 2022 as part of the standard security process before boarding an aircraft. Such scanners work by viewing the body at colours not visible to the human eye. These colours occur at so called millimetre wavelengths and in most cases light at this colour in generated in the same way as the optical light we see as humans - heat. Most clothing is transparent to light at millimetre wavelengths whereas many objects that could pose a security risk are not. The heat from our body is a natural source of millimetre light and objects hidden under clothing can block this light from view creating a shadow of the object. However, millimetre wave light is difficult to detect and requires special cameras. The technology in airports to date is not sensitive enough to measure the natural millimetre wave light produced by our body heat but instead illuminates each person with millimetre wave light and measures reflections. This is similar to using a flash on a camera when taking a photograph in a dark room. This process is slow and requires each person to be stationary while the image is taken. Each person takes around 15-20 seconds to be imaged in this way and due to the insensitivity of the system an additional manual search is often required. Moving to a requirement where 100% of passengers are screened in this manner, an increase in the time and cost of security protocols at airports are inevitable.

Using technology originally developed for astronomy, we propose a solution to this problem. We have developed a millimetre wave camera based on superconducting detectors that has the capability of performing the required security imaging while a person simply walks past the camera. In most cases the person would be unaware of this system in the same way we have become unconscious to CCTV at airports. The key to this technology are ultra-sensitive millimetre wave detectors that do not require the "flash" used in current scanners and can work in video mode. The detectors gain their sensitivity by working at extremely low temperatures, in fact, only a fraction of a degree above absolute zero - the coldest temperature physically possible. Realising such a camera in a busy airport may seem impossible but modern technology makes reaching such temperatures routine. To prove this, in November 2018, our group took a generic version of our millimetre-wave camera to Cardiff airport where we conducted a number of successful trials imaging people in a typical airport environment. Our system was able to easily detect a mock gun concealed under a thick coat and was even proven in conjunction with artificial intelligence systems that could recognise and highlight this forbidden object. Such imaging naturally raises concerns regarding privacy and safety. In our system, the image of the person being screened shows up as a silhouette preserving modesty. Furthermore, with no requirement for illumination, our system is completely passive making it the same as taking a normal photograph or video of the person being screened.

This project will address several issues preventing the commercial adoption of this new technology. We wish to adapt our generic camera to enable 24-hour automated operation as well as the ability to image a person from four viewpoints creating a compete security scan as a person walks past. We will also develop new detector arrays providing improved sensitivity to detecting potential concealed threats. We will also develop new electronics that will reduce the overall cost of our system while enhancing performance to meet the challenges of rapid screening in a modern airport.

The overall aim is to produce a full body scanner that is, cheaper, faster, more convenient and overall safer than the technology currently used.

Publications

10 25 50
 
Description TeraVid - A THz camera for Security & Border Protection Applications
Amount £597,567 (GBP)
Funding ID ST/V002236/1 
Organisation Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 01/2021 
End 09/2024
 
Description Chase Cryogenics 
Organisation Chase Research Cryogenics Ltd
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution The MUSCAT research team are working with Chase Cryogenics to develop a continuous version of a mini dilution refrigerator system for use in the Muscat instrument. This system is the first of its kind and provides a cost effective solution to reaching cryogenic temperatures continuously. The partnership with Chase Cryogenic Research has extended beyond that originally proposed to address the challenges the MUSCAT project presented. The partnership has benefited both the UK industrial partner and our Mexican research partner by furthering cryogenic technology and providing a state-of-the-art cryogenic platform in Mexico on the Large Millimeter Telescope MUSCAT staff have provided effort in testing these systems under real conditions and providing feedback to Chase Cryogenic Research to optimise the design. This collaboration arose during the course of the project.
Collaborator Contribution Our partner is providing cryogenic hardware and gasses along with man power to develop the dilution units.
Impact A cryogenic system has been developed and has generated international interest in this as a new product for Chase Cryogenic Research. Proving this technology on a real instrument has provided recognition for both the Mexican and UK teams. The hardware provided at a heavily discounted price has provided Mexico with a valuable experimental resource.
Start Year 2017
 
Description QMCI Industrial Partner 
Organisation QMC Instruments Ltd
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution My research team have developed a generic passive THz imaging system for use in industrial applications.
Collaborator Contribution Our industrial partner QMCI has provided cryogenic hardware and optical filters to make the final instrument build possible. QMCI has also made possible the formation of a new company dedicated to developing this technology for security applications.
Impact This collaboration has seen further funding being awarded from the UK Government for a phase 1 study funded by Innovate UK (Detection of Clandestines awarded to QMCI Ltd). Furthermore we have recently received phase 1 study funding under the Future Aviation Security Solutions (FASS) programme (awarded to Sequestim Ltd with funds expected to be passed to the research group at Cardiff). The partnership has also received funding for detector material development under the EPSRC Quantic hub programme.
Start Year 2015
 
Description SEQUESTIM 
Organisation Sequestim Ltd
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Scientific support for instrument development
Collaborator Contribution Provided man-power, project management and commercial expertise to move research ideas towards a commercially viable product.
Impact Acquired further funding to build and airport security demonstrator based upon output of existing grant. Acquired further funding for material development in collaboration with Glagow University.
Start Year 2016
 
Title Camera design including Kinetic Inductance Detectors and Metal Mesh Filters 
Description Our development involves the production of sub-mm wave cameras using Cardiff invented Detector and Filter technology. This technology is specialised and cannot be replicated by other groups. It has been licensed to SEQUESTIM ltd only for use in security applications. 
IP Reference PCT/EP2021/052828 
Protection Patent / Patent application
Year Protection Granted
Licensed Yes
Impact This unique combination of these two Cardiff technologies has enabled the effective realisation of passive THz imagers for security applications. This offers a versatile and robust security screening solution with high passenger throughput for application in all mass-transport hubs. Sequestim will aim to deploy demonstrator units within the next three years in partnership with major manufacturers.
 
Title SFAB Camera 
Description As part of this project, a full cryogenic security camera system has been developed including a bespoke superconducting focal plane. The camera developed here shows an improvement over its predecessors in that it can operate continuously at the required base temperature. 
Type Of Technology Systems, Materials & Instrumental Engineering 
Year Produced 2022 
Impact This technical product broadens the technical capabilities and knowhow of of our project partners - Sequestim. The developments seen here enable new approaches to future system design and specification. 
 
Title SFAB Scanner 
Description The SFAB scanner was a novel mm-wave field scanner development for the RASSUST project. 
Type Of Technology Systems, Materials & Instrumental Engineering 
Year Produced 2021 
Impact The scanner provides a compact solution to wide field scanning at mm-wave compatible with security imaging systems developed by our project partners - Sequestim