Muon Tomography for Subterranean Void Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for monitoring subterranean voids, such as tunnels, are limited in their ability to passively detect both existing and emerging elongated voids along political borders and restrictive boundaries, often requiring targeted data collection and lacking permanent installation capabilities with integrated data analysis.
Innovation Solution
A series of muon sensors deployed in boreholes, connected via a data network and powered electrically, with a data analysis unit that includes a processor and memory to analyze muon data from multiple sensors, identifying and mapping elongated features in three dimensions to detect tunnels and voids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If muon detectors are deployed to study subterranean voids, then detection capability is improved, but the system complexity and deployment difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the monitoring task into multiple distributed muon detector units deployed in separate boreholes. Each detector independently collects muon flux data from its location, and the central processing system integrates these segmented measurements to achieve comprehensive three-dimensional imaging of subterranean voids, resolving the contradiction between detection capability and system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
A central processing system acts as an intermediary between the distributed muon detectors and the final detection output. This intermediary collects raw data from multiple detectors, performs integrated analysis using tomographic reconstruction algorithms, and produces unified three-dimensional images of subterranean structures, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining high detection precision
2Reliability
If permanent installation with integrated data analysis is implemented, then monitoring reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the data collection function (distributed muon detectors) with the data analysis function (central processing system with tomographic reconstruction capabilities) into an integrated permanent monitoring installation. This combination ensures continuous reliable operation while maintaining manageable complexity through functional integration
Solution Approach 2:
The central processing system serves multiple functions: collecting data from multiple detectors, performing tomographic reconstruction, generating three-dimensional images, and providing continuous monitoring. This multi-functionality improves reliability by consolidating critical operations in a single permanent installation while avoiding the need for multiple separate systems
3Area of stationary object
If passive monitoring of entire borders is implemented, then coverage area is improved, but data processing requirements and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The border monitoring task is segmented into multiple discrete detector locations positioned at strategic boreholes along the border. Each detector covers a specific angular sector and depth range, and the central system integrates these segmented views to reconstruct comprehensive three-dimensional images of the entire border region, enabling wide coverage while managing data processing through distributed measurement points
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from two-dimensional surface monitoring to three-dimensional subsurface imaging by utilizing the vertical dimension through borehole deployment and the angular dimension through multi-directional muon detection. This dimensional transformation allows comprehensive border coverage while processing data more efficiently by exploiting the additional spatial dimensions for tomographic reconstruction
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables permanent, passive monitoring of political borders and restrictive boundaries, effectively identifying both existing and emerging tunnels by analyzing muon data to create three-dimensional maps and locate elongated voids, enhancing security and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of muon sensors... sensing muons
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of elongated scintillator members each generating optical signals in response to ionizing radiation
Data Source
AI summary
A system for passively monitoring territory proximate to or at restrictive boundaries for tunnels, the system comprising a plurality of muon sensors, a data network in communication with each muon sensor, a power network in electrical communication with each muon sensor, and a data analysis unit, the data analysis unit in communication with each muon sensor via the data network, the data analysis unit comprising a memory and a processor, the memory configured to instruct the processor to analyse data from the plurality of muon detectors to identify and locate a new or emerging tunnel. A method of locating tunnels is also provided.