Multi-Energy High Resolution Modular Scan System for Internal and External Concealed Commodities

Project Information

MESMERISE

Grant agreement ID: 700399

DOI

10.3030/700399

Project closed

EC signature date 27 April 2016

Start date 1 May 2016

End date 31 July 2019

Funded under

• Secure societies - Protecting freedom and security of Europe and its citizens

Total cost

€ 4 999 792,50

EU contribution

€ 4 999 792,50

Coordinated by

UNIVERSIDAD DE ALCALA
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - MESMERISE (Multi-Energy High Resolution Modular Scan System for Internal and External Concealed Commodities)

Reporting period: 2017-11-01 to 2019-07-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Most people are familiarized with the inconvenience of having to go through a “hand search o pat down” in airports check points. Apart from being invasive and privacy disruptive, the whole procedure significantly slows down the flow of passengers, which means even longer waiting queues. Additionally, in the case of wave body scanners the use of sexually explicit images that have to be interpreted by an agent arises some concerns about user’s privacy and dignity.

The main challenge of MESMERISE is to develop a new scanning technology improving the respect for intimacy and privacy rights as well as the efficiency and reliability. In order to achieve this, the project first objective is to develop a high-resolution non-intrusive scanner able to automatically detect and identify both internal and external concealed prohibited or restricted commodities sought by customs such as drugs or explosives and to discern them from natural body tissues, food waste or benign materials.

Mesmerise proposes two complementary technologies to fill the current gaps: ultra-low dose Multispectral X-ray transmission and Infrasonic interrogation. Both systems have the goals of improving privacy, convenience, sensitivity and reliability posing no risk for users, providing automatic identification or classification and assuring that no human operator needs to watch privacy-breaking images. The combination of both systems would represent a significant improvement in security and convenience of the actual airport scanning systems.

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

MESMERISE has progressed according to the work plan -with changes adapted to research circumstances- developing a new X-ray body scanner for the automatic detection of concealed godos -with full body and torso versions- and a prototype of Z-MESMERISE based on sound reflection for the detection of external concealed goods.
After defining a list of concealed goods to be detected –based on the likelihood and impact associated- preliminary designs were created and approved. Two Prototypes of X-MESMERISE, a prototype local pat-down Z-MESMERISE and a stand-by non-contact pat-down Z MESMERISE have been manufactured. Tests have been performed.
Theoretical/computational models for both technologies have been developed for both technologies. The team is developing Automatic recognition algorithms for both techniques.
XMESMERISE has demonstrated to be able to improve detection thresolds and automatically identify ítems.
ZMESMERISE has demonstrated to be able to detect externally concealed godos under clothes on torso.

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)

MESMERISE looks set to exceed the capability of current technologies being used by Customs Administrations in some member states and Associated Countries.
X-MESMERISE potentially exceeds the capabilities of other X-Ray transmission systems because of sensitivity and the use of an ultra-low dose of ionizing radiation.
Z- MESMERISE provides a non-contact pat-down respectful technology. The absence of explicit images improves privacy while keeping security.
Additionally, both X and Z MESMERISE are intended for a non-divest and non-contact condition, preserving privacy and dignity. This is a clear step forward with respect to a traditional manual pat-down.

MESMERISE short description

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