Novel Method of Subsurface Water Detection

WaveBand Corporation proposes a novel method for subsurface water detection, appropriate for planetary exploration. It makes use of millimeter-wave/microwave radar. However, in contrast to the current ground penetrating radar approach that relies on the detection of ice (permafrost), or solid-crust/water, interface due to the difference in their dielectric constants, WaveBand?s system is based on the detection of water-specific resonances in the millimeter wave range of the frequency spectrum. The specific innovations are: - Elimination of the water interface factor from the detection method. That factor is the main source of uncertainties due to unknown interface geometry and the dielectric constants of the surface(s)- Ability to detect the presence of water in relatively small enclosures with no defined interface- Large separation between the resonance excitation frequencies and the frequency of the signal being detectedIn addition, the REsonance WAter Radar Detector (REWARD) will be capable of remote surface mapping and possibly of detecting some organic and inorganic water solutes.Phase I research will prove both experimentally and theoretically the feasibility of the novel method and will lead to the REWARD prototype design to be built in Phase II.