MECHANICAL IMPEDANCE and MULTIPHYSICS CONCEALED AND HIDDEN OBJECTS INTERROGATION

Project Information

MELCHIOR

Grant agreement ID: 101073899

DOI

10.3030/101073899

Project closed

EC signature date 27 July 2022

Start date 1 September 2022

End date 30 November 2025

Funded under

• Civil Security for Society

Total cost

€ 5 480 122,50

EU contribution

€ 4 999 237,88

Coordinated by

UNIVERSIDAD DE ALCALA
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - MELCHIOR (MECHANICAL IMPEDANCE and MULTIPHYSICS CONCEALED AND HIDDEN OBJECTS INTERROGATION)

Reporting period: 2024-03-01 to 2025-11-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

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.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

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 sound, mmwave and Thz interrogation prototypes, they have been manufactured and tested 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.
Blast tests were conducted with charges both inside and outside -according to ASIAD regulations-.
Several prorotypes of sound, mm-wave and THz devices have been designed, manufactured, tested and improved. FInally demonstrationd in operational envirornments were successfully undertaken.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

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.
Techniques for measuring acoustic impedance of curved surfaces have been provided.
The technologies for detection of concealed items will be useful for border controls, prisions, mass events, etc. Tests have been 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.
For the first time Detection of concealed items using sound has been achieved. Sound scattering has been demonstrated as a new harmeless technology for detection of concealed objects beneath clothes.

Demo in the Police Academy in Finland

Demo of prototypes in Sculeni Romania.

Low freq intgerrogation prototype and blast-proof cabin

Demo of prototypes in Ormenio Greece

Blast test in INTA

Demo of Sound interrogation prototype in Barajas airport