System and methodology for designing x-ray based simulants for test and evaluation of explosive detection systems

Michael C. Brogden; Robert F. Schaffer; Alexander J. DeMasi; Ronald A. Krauss

doi:10.1117/12.2618782

3 June 2022 System and methodology for designing x-ray based simulants for test and evaluation of explosive detection systems

Michael C. Brogden, Robert F. Schaffer, Alexander J. DeMasi, Ronald A. Krauss

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 12104, Anomaly Detection and Imaging with X-Rays (ADIX) VII; 1210402 (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2618782
Event: SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing, 2022, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

The Transportation Security Laboratory (TSL) routinely performs test and evaluation of explosives detection systems using real explosives, and detection algorithms are commonly trained using data acquired using real explosives. However, in some cases, explosives are either too dangerous to handle or otherwise restricted, in which case inert simulants are used. Simulants are developed to mimic the physical properties of explosives and other hazardous materials to eliminate the safety risks associated with testing the real threat. The simulant development process at the TSL involves combining chemicals so that the physical properties of the resulting formulation match the target threat and the formulation remains stable and inert. This process becomes increasingly difficult as the number of targeted physical properties increases. To facilitate simulant development, a MATLAB-based program was developed to generate simulant formulas by optimizing the mass percentage of the ingredients such that, when combined, the mixture exhibits the same physical properties as the selected target. In this study, five powder simulants were optimized, manufactured, and tested, and the measured properties were compared to the theoretical values generated by the simulant development program. The results demonstrated the program’s accuracy at predicting each formulation’s physical properties. The accuracies ranged from 79 to 100 percent, with lower accuracies being influenced by difficulties in predicting the formulation’s packing density. The simulant development tool program is patented under US patents 10,998,087 and 11,114,183.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Michael C. Brogden, Robert F. Schaffer, Alexander J. DeMasi, and Ronald A. Krauss "System and methodology for designing x-ray based simulants for test and evaluation of explosive detection systems", Proc. SPIE 12104, Anomaly Detection and Imaging with X-Rays (ADIX) VII, 1210402 (3 June 2022); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2618782

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