The challenge

Context of the challenge

Protecting sensitive locations from surveillance is an important national security requirement. Security professionals use a range of techniques to identify hidden devices that could be used to capture conversations, images or communications.

One method is to inspect walls, ceilings and floors for hidden equipment without damaging the building. Existing approaches, such as x-ray imaging, can be effective but are often large, heavy and require additional safety controls due to their use of ionising radiation.

This challenge seeks alternative approaches that can provide useful imaging capability whilst being more portable and easier to deploy.

The gap

Existing non-destructive imaging techniques each have limitations.

X-ray systems can provide detailed images through many materials but are often bulky and require additional safety measures.

Terahertz and millimetre-wave technologies use non-ionising radiation and have demonstrated success in applications such as airport security screening. However, current systems often face challenges including limited penetration depth, reduced performance in some environmental conditions, and difficulties achieving both portability and high image quality.

There remains a need for a portable imaging system that can provide useful images within walls, ceilings and floors whilst remaining practical for operational use.

Example use case

Ricky is a security professional responsible for protecting VIPs during overseas travel.

On one mission, his team is supporting a high-profile person who needs to have discreet meetings but has previously been the target of technical surveillance.

Before a sensitive meeting takes place, Ricky must ensure the temporary office being used has not been compromised by hidden surveillance devices.

His team deploys multiple systems capable of examining walls, ceilings and floors for concealed objects. Each have their trade-offs, some are quick and easy to use, others take more preparation but are more effective.

Future developments should aim to create a system which can provide images of devices within walls, but poses minimised health hazards while being small in size and weight, and more portable.

Project scope

This challenge seeks a minimum Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5 – technology basic validation in a relevant environment, in this 12 week project.

Essential requirements:

• Must be something that can be developed to a weight of less than 20 kg and less than 0.3 cubic metres.
• Must come with a display and a user interface suitable for a technical user.
• Must be able to produce images from penetrating a standard plasterboard wall.
• Imager must use non-ionising radiation.
• Must work from a single-phase power supply or battery.
• Work towards a device that can be transported on a commercial flight.

Desirable requirements:

• Work towards a weight of less than 10 Kg.
• Should produce images from penetrating tens of centimetres through a standard plasterboard or wooden walls.
• A stretch target is proof of concept of penetration through a few centimetres of concrete.
• Imaging process should not require access to both sides of a wall.

Constraints:

• The end use case would be within a small to medium sized room.

Not required:

• A standalone horizon scan.
• A paper report on its own, there must be some prototyping element to this project.

Eligibility

This challenge is open to sole innovators, industry, academic and research organisations of all types and sizes. There is no requirement for security clearances.

Solution providers or direct collaboration from countries listed by the UK government under trade sanctions and/or arms embargoes, are not eligible for HMGCC Co-Creation challenges.

Invitation to present

Successful applicants will be invited to a pitch day, giving them a chance to meet the HMGCC Co-Creation team and pitch the proposal during a 20-minute presentation, followed by questions.

After the pitch day, a final funding decision will be made. For unsuccessful applicants, feedback will be given in a timely manner.

Clarifying questions

Clarifying questions or general requests for assistance can be submitted directly to [email protected] and  [email protected] before the deadline with the challenge title as the subject. These clarifying questions may be technical, procedural, or commercial in subject, or anything else where assistance is required. Please note that answered questions will be published to facilitate a fair and open competition.

How to apply

Please submit your application on the HMGCC Co-Creation website. Any queries please email [email protected] and [email protected].

All information you provide to us as part of your application will be handled in confidence.

Applications must be no more than six pages or six slides in length. HMGCC Co-Creation reserves the right to stop reading after six pages if this limit is breached. The page/slide limit excludes title pages, references, personnel CVs and organisational profiles.