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Maths to help speedy checks at airports
Washington:
Mathematicians from the University of Manchester and airport security
specialists 'Rapiscan Systems' are working together to develop a new 3D
scanner that will make security checkups at airports more effective. The
750,000 pounds research project aims at maximising the efficiency of an
innovative new 3D scanner, which was developed by Rapiscan Systems' research
subsidiary CXR Ltd. for providing fast and accurate 3D x-ray images of
suitcases and baggage. It is being funded jointly by 'Rapiscan Systems'
and the British government's Engineering and Physical Sciences Research
Council. Scanning machines that are currently being used at airports give
security staff a flat one-dimensional view of the contents of a bag, whereas
the CXR machine has the ability to provide a more comprehensive and probing
3D image. However, these hospital-style CT scanners are too slow to be
widely used in airports. So, mathematicians are being involved to apply
complex maths and ensure that data gathered by the CXR scanner is translated
quickly and accurately into dynamic 3D images. "CXR is at the cutting
edge technologically in a fast-moving field. I am always excited about
working on projects like this, where I can tackle a theoretical challenge
and see the results being practically employed," said Professor Bill Lionheart
of the university's school of Mathematics.
Rapiscan
Systems' UK Managing Director Frank Baldwin said that the project represents
a perfect partnership of academic expertise and advanced industrial engineering.
"Airport security has never been a more critical issue, and we are delighted
to have this opportunity to work with Professor Lionheart and his team
towards developing this ground-breaking innovation," he said. CXR Director
Ed Morton says that translating data from multiple sources to provide
a 3D image on a monitor screen is an interesting mathematical challenge
for them. "We have developed specialised computer hardware and software
to process the information, but we need to achieve the fastest, most accurate
results possible. We called in experts from the University of Manchester's
School of Mathematics to help us develop the novel maths and computer
algorithms required," he said.
-Oct
13, 2006
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