It’s not every day you get to include your favourite superhero in your work, but Sydney University masters student, Liam Wells has been given that opportunity with his thesis study: Seeing Like Superman, which takes a theoretical look at using new x-ray techniques in security applications.
Liam’s thesis is part of ANSTO’s National Security Research initiative which has been sponsored by the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The main aspect of the project focuses on the detection of explosives through the use of x-ray methods in areas of high security or public places such as airports. Dr David Boardman, Physicist at ANSTO Materials developed the idea for the project and has been overseeing the research. He says he’s been impressed by Liam’s quick uptake of information.
“He’s done very well. It would have been a new topic for him so he’s picked it up fast.”
According to David, this new research provides some exciting possibilities in national security applications like the screening systems at airports.
“The current systems are based on dual energy and Liam’s work is based on extending the concept out to more than two energies,” he said. “At the moment they look at two different energy ranges of X-rays and from that you can discriminate between metals and organics, so you can get some crude explosives discrimination.Increasing the number of energy bins we’re looking at has shown an enhanced level of material discrimination.”
Liam explains while his research has been at a theoretical level, it will provide a new opportunity for future research.
“Basically this was just to find out what the possibilities were and now the detector lab is going to take those findings, run with it and see what they can actually do.”
Living in Sydney’s northern suburb of Hornsby, the drive south to ANSTO every day has been time consuming for Liam but he says the experience has been worth it and his eyes have been opened to the realities of life in the lab.
“Of course I had the experience of working in the lab at university but it was something else to work on something new and to have that autonomy,” he said.
While the nature of Liam’s thesis carries an element of seriousness, he’s quick to point out there was a fun side to his research. He admits a fondness for Superman which helped him create the title for his thesis,
“I just needed something to catch the eye and thought, ‘X-ray vision, Superman – yes!’”
ANSTO’s National Security Research (NSR) program has been set up to enhance Australia’s national security. The NSR team is leading the field in this area of research with the development of two new X-ray technologies that aim to improve detection of materials without impacting on the efficiency of operations at Australia’s ports.
Published: 23/12/2010