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MECHANICAL IMPEDANCE and MULTIPHYSICS CONCEALED AND HIDDEN OBJECTS INTERROGATION

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - MELCHIOR (MECHANICAL IMPEDANCE and MULTIPHYSICS CONCEALED AND HIDDEN OBJECTS INTERROGATION)

Reporting period: 2022-09-01 to 2024-02-29

Detection of concealed items beneath the clothes or in human body cavities is a need for security preventing smuggling of illicit items like drugs, explosives or weapons.
Simultaneously, privacy and protection of intimacy must be cared as much as possible. MELCHIOR aims to contribute to improve both security and respect to intimacy by developing non-contact harmless technologies that avoid physical contact as well as formation of images to detect concealed items.
Infra and low frequency sound , mmwave and Thz interrogation technologies with no formation of images, combined with AI processing of data provide the main set of technologies explored in this project. Additionally, a bio-safe blast-proof cabin is developed as well as a fast bio-aerosol sampler (BIAFTS) is tested to detect the presence of aerosolized microorganisms.
For the first time research on the scattering of sound by a human body has been carried out combining computer and theoretical modelling with experimental tests. Additionally, new techniques for calibration of low freq sound velocity probes has been developed. After preparing a conceptual and preliminary design of the first prototypes for infra and low frequency sound, mmwave and Thz interrogation prototypes, they have been manufactured to be ready for testing in the 2RP. A blast proof cabin has been developed able to host the devices but also useful for other purposes. This cabin is additionally provided with a Counterfog(r) fast disinfection system so that it can be easily, automatically and fast decontaminated in case any biological agent may be present or a contagious person has walked through. Additionally a Bioaerosol Fast Sampler (BIAFTS) has already been installed for detection of Biological pathogens or chemical aerosols or vapours.
For the first time models for the human body-sound interaction has been developed with increasing degree of complexity.
The range of accurate sound measurement has been increased at the low freq border.
The technologies for detection of concealed items will be useful for border controls, prisions, mass events, etc. Tests will be carried out during the 2RP.
The blast-proof cabin will be useful for safe inspection for instance at check-points preventing damages to people around.
The automatic disinfection system will be ashowcase for biosafety with applications in other buildings and infrastructure, ensuring disinfection of both surfaces and air (aerosols).

Standardization and supportive regulation for biosafety in critical infrastructures would be needed to encourage biosafety preventing contagious and dispersion of pathogens -both from a fast detection and from a frequent disinfection or sanitization.
Low freq intgerrogation prototype and blast-proof cabin
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