SBRI Challenge - Non Destructive Evaluation (NDE)

Develop a single instrument that is capable of non-destructively assessing both hard body armour plates (a sandwich construction of typically high alumina ceramic plus layers of composite materials including Aramid synthetic fibre often contained in an outer fabric protective layer) and helmets (typically high density composite materials including layers of Aramid synthetic fiber).

To enable the conducting of inspections at, or close to the theatre of operation and provide a fully automated system that can provide a simple Go/No-Go result for the “fit-for-purpose” integrity of personal protective equipment with a minimum of operator intervention. The work is to be undertaken in accordance with the SBRI application 61061-446202 submitted to and held by Innovate UK for the Non-Destructive Evaluation programme.

The programme of work will fall into two areas:

1. Develop an inspection technique that will produce data capable of highlighting the expected faults,
2. Develop a robust set of algorithms that can use the resultant instrument data and then used to automatically identify the presence of faults.