SBIR Phase I: Laminography-based X-ray Security System for Aviation Security

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will develop key components for a lowcost 3D X-ray security checkpoint system based on Laminography, a method of taking multiple projections of an object and combining these to create three-dimensional (3D) slices of the object. Current checkpoint X-ray security systems have limitations because they provide only a transmission image of the object being screened, whereas a 3D image would provide much more relevant information. A reasonably priced Laminography system has not been implemented due to the unavailability of a reasonably-priced X-ray source with suitable performance. This proposed solution overcomes the limitations of current X-ray sources. By employing a dual-grid dual-cathode source, it is possible to produce a low-cost X-ray source that delivers the cost and performance required for a low-cost high performance 3D Laminography-based checkpoint system. Broader Impacts Resulting from the Proposed Activity The broader impact/commercial potential of this project is based on the development of suitable X-ray component technology that can be used to upgrade the checkpoint security systems to 3D capabilities at reasonable prices. The impact is improved security at the checkpoints. The commercial potential comes from the potential to upgrade several thousand checkpoints with this capability. Although current aviation security checkpoints provide a strong line of defense, terrorists continue to analyze and exploit any weaknesses in these defenses. For this reason, it is critical to continually improve the security checkpoints and security screening equipment, in order to ensure that terrorists are not able to defeat these systems. In addition to improving the security at airport checkpoints, the new source can be used to upgrade any Xray based security system and to improve the performance of conventional Computed Tomography systems. The X-ray source will be unique and can be used in a broad range of fields that includes medical imaging, non-destructive testing, X-ray fluorescence, and so forth