06 May 2008

Sheffield scientists join the fight against terrorism

Scientists from the University of Sheffield have received substantial grants from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) to develop technology that will help screen cargo for drugs, explosives, and other illegal materials.

Dr Tony Dodd, from the University´s Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering, and Dr John McMillan, from the University´s Department of Physics and Astronomy, have collectively been awarded over £1.3 million to lead on two separate projects.

Dr Tony Dodd, will work with Dr Luke Wilson, from the University´s Department of Physics and Astronomy, to develop a small robotic vehicle with special sensors that can detect illegal materials in the same way as a sniffer dog.

The robotic `ferret´, would allow more detailed investigation of cargo. Currently, this requires either time consuming unpacking of the cargo or the need for staff to enter the cargo putting them at risk of contamination from the contents.

The key advantage of the robotic `ferret´ would be that its sensors would be able to detect multiple specific substances and, unlike sniffer dogs, would be able to be on duty twenty-four hours a day.

Dr John McMillan and his team will develop a neutron screening system for cargo, using a method called 'Neutron Activation Analysis'.
This technique determines concentrations of specific elements in a vast amount of materials. The process allows discrete sampling of elements as it disregards the chemical form of a sample, and focuses solely on the nuclei.

Conventional X-ray scanners are good at detecting objects based on their density and shape but give no information about composition. By using neutrons, Dr McMillan and his team hope to develop material-specific images of the contents of containers.

This would mean that the chemical composition of the cargo could be identified, allowing explosives and drugs to be found without unpacking the containers. The system will use detectors and analysis systems originally developed for particle physics and astrophysics experiments.

Dr John McMillan said: "I am delighted to have been awarded this grant and to be playing such an active part in the fight against terrorism and other illegal activity. This project is an excellent example of how particle physics and astrophysics are generating techniques and expertise that can benefit the country and society and potentially save lives."

Dr Tony Dodd said:" I am excited to be leading such an ambitious project and hope that this grant will be able to make a significant impact in the fight against terrorism, drugs and human trafficking."

The two grants were awarded to Sheffield following an event held by the EPSRC and the Home Office Scientific Development Branch (HOSDB). Over 20 scientists from universities across the country came together to discuss the most effective and efficient ways of screening cargo. The EPSRC Economy, Environment and Crime Programme then allocated £2.6m to fund the best ideas to come out of the event, which included the two Sheffield projects.

Dr Dodd and Dr McMillan will both work with scientists from the University of Glasgow on their projects. Dr Dodd will also work with colleagues at Loughborough and City Universities.