ScienceThe Laboratory for Threat-Material Detection (LTMD) at the University of New Brunswick (UNB) fosters new technology for detecting materials that represent a threat to security, safety, health and the environment. Deep Backscatter Tomography (DBT) technology was discovered while attempting to devise a low-dose medical CT scanner at the LTMD. In the research, numerical simulations showed a negligible reduction in patient dose. However, the results showed great potential for a single-side (backscatter) CT scanner and the DBT scanner began to take shape. Although the new technique is not the first method for single-side tomography, other attempts only inspect to shallow depths of lower density materials. Inversa Systems Ltd's developed technique is the first method designed to inspect deep into an object. The result is that the inspection of dense materials such as concrete and steel becomes more practical. The technique was formulated in a PhD dissertation completed in 2004 and a paper was published in a peer review journal and was filed for patent by UNB’s technology transfer office. Click on the following link to view a PDF of the paper. The development of the technology has now moved to making the DBT scanner product available for market. |