Systems and methodologies for desigining simulant compounds
Inventors
McNamara, Joseph • DeMasi, Alexander • Brogden, Michael • Krauss, Ronald
Assignees
Government Of United States, As Represented By Secretary For Homeland Security • US Department of Homeland Security
Publication Number
US-10998087-B2
Publication Date
2021-05-04
Expiration Date
2036-08-25
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Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for forming a simulant. In accordance with one embodiment, a method is provided for identifying and forming a simulant. The method identifies, using processing circuitry, a compound. The method further identifies, using the processing circuitry, a plurality of ingredients, wherein the simulant is a combination of the plurality of ingredients. The method further identifies for evaluation, using the processing circuitry, one or more metrics of the simulant. The method further determines, using the processing circuitry, proportions of each of the plurality of ingredients by optimizing a quadratic function based on the one or more metrics of the simulant. The method further outputs the proportions of each of the plurality of ingredients, and forms a mixture of the plurality of ingredients based on the proportions of each of the plurality of ingredients.
Core Innovation
The invention provides systems and methods for identifying and forming a simulant that matches characteristic properties of a compound, such as an explosive threat. Using processing circuitry, the method identifies a compound and a plurality of ingredients, where the simulant is a combination of these ingredients. It further identifies one or more metrics of the simulant and determines the proportions of each ingredient by optimizing a quadratic function based on the metrics, ultimately forming a mixture based on these proportions.
The problem addressed relates to the limitations of conventional explosive simulant design methods, which are largely trial-and-error and time-consuming. Simulants are essential for safe training and testing of explosive detection systems but typically only mimic explosive detection system parameters, ignoring other relevant morphological properties such as edge effects, compressibility, and flexibility. These properties become critical for newer detection technologies, like Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) portals, which rely on anomaly detection algorithms sensitive to these morphological and dielectric properties. Hence, there is a need for improved systems and methodologies that efficiently and accurately design simulants matching multiple physical properties of threats.
The disclosed methodology provides an efficient and user-controllable process for designing simulants by matching tabulated physical properties of ingredients to those of a target compound. It uses optimization techniques to determine ingredient proportions that match multiple metrics, including density, effective atomic number, mass attenuation coefficient, electron density, chemical compound ratio, dielectric constant, and millimeter wave reflectivity. The system facilitates adjustments to the metrics and ingredients, allowing more or less restrictive matching, and supports graphical user interfaces for visualization and user interaction during simulant design and validation.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes multiple independent claims directed to methods and systems for identifying explosive simulants, focusing on ingredient selection, metric evaluation, and optimization of ingredient proportions.
Graphical user interface for simulant design selection and visualization
The method includes displaying listings of explosive threat compounds and simulant ingredients retrieved from databases via a GUI, receiving user selections, and rendering a three-dimensional plot depicting selected metrics and target points representing the explosive threat compound, with data points selectable and movable via the GUI to modify simulant metrics.
Optimization of ingredient proportions based on multiple physical metrics
Using processing circuitry, the method determines proportions of at least three selected ingredients by optimizing a quadratic function based on one or more physical metrics of the simulant corresponding to target values of the explosive threat compound.
Adjustment of the convex set and identification of alternative ingredients
When the target point does not lie within the convex set defined by the quadratic function, the method receives user input to adjust the convex set by moving data points on the 3D plot, identifies alternative ingredients and/or proportions more closely matching the target values, and repeats the optimization.
Use of databases containing compounds and ingredients with associated physical metrics
The system comprises one or more databases storing compounds and ingredients, each associated with multiple physical metrics such as density, electron density, effective atomic number, mass attenuation coefficient, chemical ratios, dielectric constant, and millimeter wave reflectivity, which are used for evaluation and optimization.
Validation and output of optimized ingredient proportions
The system outputs the determined proportions of the selected ingredients when the target point lies within the defined convex set and forms the simulant mixture based on these proportions.
These inventive features collectively enable an interactive, optimized approach for designing multiple-ingredient simulants that accurately mimic selected physical properties of explosive compounds, leveraging advanced GUI controls, database integration, and quadratic function optimization techniques.
Stated Advantages
Provides an efficient, user-controlled method for designing simulants by matching multiple measurable physical properties to target compounds.
Enables accurate simulant design that accounts for complex morphological and dielectric properties relevant to advanced explosive detection systems.
Reduces time and inefficiency associated with conventional trial-and-error simulant formulation methods.
Facilitates visualization and user interaction through an adaptable graphical user interface for ingredient selection, metric optimization, and results display.
Allows flexible adjustment of matching constraints and ingredient sets to find viable simulant formulas.
Documented Applications
Design of explosive simulants for safe surrogate training and testing in X-ray based Explosive Detection Systems (EDS).
Design of simulants for Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) portals using X-ray backscatter or millimeter wave scanning technologies relevant to anomaly detection algorithms.
Creation of simulant mixtures mimicking physical and dielectric properties of explosive threats, explosive precursors, oxidizers, illegal drugs, or innocuous materials such as food products for detection and testing purposes.
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