Airport News
Researchers at University College London are working with x-ray specialists, 3DX-RAY, to find a more cost effective scanning system for airport baggage.
The project is being funded under the Innovative Research Call in Explosives and Weapons Detection government programme.
It is hoped the system could provide a low-cost alternative to CT scanning to replace 2D x-ray inspection as the first line of defence in checked baggage screening.
The team at University College London, headed up by Prof Robert Speller, turned to 3DX-RAY after successfully completing a feasibility study into alternative methods of producing 3D images for baggage inspection.
Checked baggage inspection is a multi-layered process designed to weed out false alarms from genuine threats.
The first line of defence is commonly 2D x-rays, although these create high false alarm rates.
While CT scanning x-ray techniques are more accurate, they are also costly and slow, 3DX-RAY said.
UCL believes it has identified a more accurate and effective system that will lower the volume of bags that have to go for additional screening.
The research team realised they can achieve the same effect as CT scanning x-ray techniques by collecting images from multiple angles using 2D x-ray sources.
The x-ray “slices” are then used to produce 3D images.
3DX-RAYS’s, Nick Fox, CTO, said: “This is an exciting project and will be a huge leap for the future of baggage scanning because it provides a viable low cost alternative to CT scanning that could be rolled out across airports very easily.
“Although this technology is still some way from full commercialisation it is a fantastic project to be involved with.
“We are delighted to be working with UCL on this project. The university has a worldwide reputation in this sector and we are always looking to work with advancing technologies. We hope if successful the team can take this into the marketplace.”
Project manager, Dr Elena Vescovo, added: “This is cutting edge research and 3DX-RAY’s expertise has proved invaluable. We have a long-standing relationship with 3DX-RAY and their experience and technical ability in x-ray imaging is second to none. We are looking forward to taking this project to the next stage producing a full prototype system and working on real world testing.”
