Sensor Systems - Current Activities

Electromagnetic NDT&E (Defect detection, stress measurement, micorostructural characterisation)
We have extensive experience in the field of electromagnetic non-destructive testing and evaluation and have developed both new inspection methods and novel feature extraction techniques for all aspects of electromagnetic NDE from defect detection and characterisation to techniques to quantify microstructural changes in metals. We have pioneered research in pulsed eddy current (PEC), pulsed magnetic flux leakage (PMFL) NDT&E in the UK and their applications for pipeline monitoring and corrosion detection under insulation, current activities include an EPSRC funded project to develop a new PEC sensor array for the quantification of stress, defects and microstructure in metal in conjunction with the University of Manchester. PEC excitation is also been used in conjunction with thermal imaging to detect defects in turbine blades, supplied by Rolls Royce and Alstom power. Other areas include the inspection of wind turbines, the development of a novel tool for the quantification of defects and corrosion in water pipeline and the development of techniques for case depth measurement in gear steels through simulation, design and development of novel electromagnetic sensing and imaging systems including sensor arrays, networks, and fusion.

Security and weapon detection
We are currently involved in a high profile project to develop the next generation of walk-through weapon detection systems. The work builds on a previous project employing RF measurement for weapon detection and is sponsored by Cross-Government Departments. The project aims to develop a new electromagnetic weapons detection, characterisation and imaging system which will remove the need for those passing through the system to divest themselves of metallic objects (as in current airport systems), through improved decision making for the discrimination of threat objects using new and novel object imaging and characterisation techniques.

We are also working on payment security of Point-Of-Sales by integrating keystroke dynamics for PIN input and fingerprints with data encryption. We are also interested in capturing and analysing electromagnetic radiation to disclose sensitive information for security and safety enhancement.

Wireless sensor networks
Work is ongoing to further develop and commercialise wireless sensor network technology for environmental monitoring developed during the EPSRC MESSAGE project. Further funding is being pursued from NERC and industry. This concept is being extended to acoustic source localisation and structural health monitoring.

Acoustic sensor development
Novel sonar imaging techniques developed during a recent PhD project are being further developed with industrial partners with a view to producing low cost, high performance multibeam sonar systems. Work is ongoing in the development of an ultra-low-cost (~£100) ultrasound imaging device for medical applications with prototype device being currently evaluated. Ultrasound techniques for the measurement of fluid properties are being investigated in collaboration with Bioinnovel Ltd and Rolls Royce (Aero Engine Controls).

Collaborations

Academic: Manchester University, University of Bath, Warwick University, University of Sheffield, Imperial College, Cambridge University.
Industrial: Rolls Royce, Alstom Power, Cross-Government Departments, British Energy, The Welding Institute (TWI), Bioinnovel, Photon fire, National Physical Laboratory (NPL), RWE nPower.

Contact

Prof. Gui Tian, email: g.y.tian@ncl.ac.uk, Tel: +44 (0) 191 222 5638.