| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/S71323/01 |
| Title: |
Basic technology: NIR tomography for internal imaging of chemical composition - a feasibility study on plant tissues |
| Principal Investigator: |
Peyton, Professor A |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Engineering |
| Organisation: |
Lancaster University |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 February 2004 |
Ends: |
31 January 2005 |
Value (£): |
57,302
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Instrumentation Eng. & Dev. |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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The work proposed is a one-year feasibility study aiming to build a time-domain near-infrared (NIR) diffuse tomography system. The tomograph will produce cross-sectional images representing variation in chemical concentration and structure of samples, through measuring molecular absorption. Because of the short project duration, the focus will be on imaging plant tissues, in particular, fruits and vegetables. A high-speed digital oscilloscope will be used to measure the photon intensity as a function of arrival time, giving implicit information on the sample's absorption and scattering properties. Image reconstruction schemes will be developed that combine spatial and temporal information to compensate for scattering losses. The project requires a combination of spectroscopy, mechanical fabrication, instrumentation and software development, and mathematical modelling. To date, NIR diffuse tomography has exclusively been investigated for specialised medical applications. There is no commercial instrumentation available, nor any guarantee that this approach can be applied beyond the limited applications already studied. It is currently too speculative to attract substantial industrial backing, and requires a multidisciplinary approach not catered for within traditional funding programmes. In the short term, applications of the technology include basic plant research and high-speed non-destructive screening of conveyed produce. Other potential uses include chemical processing, emulsion science, meat processing, and medical sensing of health and body composition.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.lancs.ac.uk |