Science and Technology Facilities Council
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ThruVision wins Grand Security Product Award 2008
ThruVision’s non-invasive security screening system wins ‘Best of what’s new 2008’ security award
An innovative security screening system from ThruVision, that can detect hidden explosives, liquids, narcotics, weapons, plastics and ceramics from a distance, has received the grand security product award in the ‘Best of what’s new 2008’ by the US Magazine ‘Popular Science’. Called the T5000, the system forms images of metallic and non-metallic threat or contraband objects concealed under clothing out to distances of 25m. It was developed by UK security equipment manufacturer ThruVision Ltd, a spin out company of the Science and Technology Facilities Council.
Like all ThruVision products, the T5000 was developed to address personal privacy concerns now being raised in connection with the use of security imaging technologies. The T5000 avoids many of the acceptability issues associated with the use of imaging technologies in the public domain by non-intrusively detecting a wide range of contraband objects such as weapons, explosives, liquids and narcotics on walking or stationary people at various distances. Importantly the T5000 does this without revealing anatomical detail, thereby preserving the privacy of the subject. Concealed objects are shown against a silhouette of the human form.
The T5000 is also safe; it forms images of concealed objects by receiving natural low energy waves produced by people and their surroundings. Unlike an X-ray camera, the T5000 does not emit dangerous ionizing radiation so there is no threat to the operators or people being screened.
Clive Beattie, ThruVision CEO, said "We are very pleased and honoured to have received this award from Popular Science. The recent European Parliamentary decision to further study the health and human rights implications of full body scanners before their deployment in EU airports highlights the importance of all our products’ safety and privacy-related attributes. The ability to non-invasively screen for concealed objects at a distance offers a significant advantage to security system operators for applications including border and access control, counter-terrorism and asset protection."
ThruVision’s passive imaging technology originally stems from research carried out at the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s Rutherford Appleton Laboratory to study dying stars. Dr Liz Towns Andrews, Director of Knowledge Exchange at STFC said: "This award is well-deserved recognition for ThruVision. STFC is totally committed to using its research facilities and scientific expertise to support and develop such innovative enterprises, so I’d like to congratulate ThruVision on this achievement."
Notes to Editors
Images available:
• Image 1: Actual terahertz image of man with concealed item under jacket
• Image 2: T5000 on pan and tilt tripod
• Image 3: T5000 camera box image
Contacts: ThruVision Ltd. Jonathan H. James Director Product Marketing ThruVision Ltd Central 127, No 18 Milton Park, Abingdon Oxfordshire OX14 4SA UK Tel: +44 (0) 1235 433130 Fax: +44 (0) 1235 433140 Website: http://www.thruvision.com/
Science and Technology Facilities Council
Wendy Taylor MCIPR
Press Officer
Science and Technology Facilities Council Daresbury Laboratory Daresbury Science & Innovation Campus Daresbury Warrington Cheshire
WA4 4AD
Email: w.j.taylor@dl.ac.uk
Tel Number: 01925 603232
About ThruVision
ThruVision Ltd is a manufacturer of passive security screening products that incorporate ThruVision’s proprietary passive terahertz imaging technology. ThruVision is based near Oxford, UK and was established in 2004. ThruVision security screening products are deployed in various locations in Europe, North America, Middle East and Asia Pacific regions. ThruVision’s customers include governmental and private security operators. Installations have included border checkpoints, entrances to public buildings, shopping malls, sporting events etc.
Technology background
All ThruVision products are passive. Images of concealed objects on people are formed by receiving low energy waves known as terahertz waves naturally produced by people and their surroundings. Terahertz waves occupy part of the electromagnetic spectrum between radio waves and infra-red (heat).
The security screening technology developed by ThruVision was originally developed for space imaging applications within the UK with support from the European Space Agency. ThruVision developed its proprietary technology by adapting space imaging technology originally developed at the renowned STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL), which has one of the largest Space Science and Technology Departments in Europe. Through the collaborative Startiger project engineered by the European Space Agency (ESA) the space imaging technology was adapted for terrestrial applications.
Award Information
The award announcement can be found on the Popular Science online magazine site: http://www.popsci.com/bown/2008/product/t5000
Science and Technology Facilities Council The Science and Technology Facilities Council ensures the UK retains its leading place on the world stage by delivering world-class science; accessing and hosting international facilities; developing innovative technologies; and increasing the socio-economic impact of its research through effective knowledge exchange partnerships. The Council has a broad science portfolio including Astronomy, Particle Physics, Particle Astrophysics, Nuclear Physics, Space Science, Synchrotron Radiation, Neutron Sources and High Power Lasers. In addition the Council manages and operates three internationally renowned laboratories: • The Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxfordshire • The Daresbury Laboratory, Cheshire • The UK Astronomy Technology Centre, Edinburgh
The Council gives researchers access to world-class facilities and funds the UK membership of international bodies such as the European Laboratory for Particle Physics (CERN), the Institute Laue Langevin (ILL), European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), the European organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere (ESO) and the European Space Agency (ESA). It also contributes money for the UK telescopes overseas on La Palma, Hawaii, Australia and in Chile, and the MERLIN/VLBI National Facility, which includes the Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank Observatory. The Council distributes public money from the Government to support scientific research. Between 2008 and 2009 we will invest approximately £787 million. The Council is a partner in the UK space programme, coordinated by the British National Space Centre.
