Public Funding for Metrasens Limited

In 2019, Vishwanath Akuthota destroyed 66 computers in his college in New York using a **_'Killer USB';_** a device that looks like a USB memory stick, but sends high-voltage power surges into the device it is connected to, wrecking computer systems. **_'Killer USB' sticks and other small electronic devices highlight the urgent need for physical data security._** Further examples include the infamous case of Edward Snowden who leaked millions of highly classified NSA files using a few USB sticks. Similarly, the Stuxnet malware which disabled Iran's nuclear plant was inflicted using a USB drive. In 2018, Omarosa Manigault Newman, a US government official, released recordings of conversations she had with the US President and the White House Chief of Staff. She recorded the conversations with a small recording device. **_Preventing such security incidents ultimately relies on the reliable detection and control of storage devices, which have become smaller and increasingly difficult to detect._** In fact, independent third-party research has shown the probability of detection using competing ferromagnetic detection technology can be **_as low as 2%,_** meaning most small electronic devices will go undetected, especially in high interference environments such as data centres. Other detection alternatives such as **_millimetre wave scanners (mmWave)_** cannot penetrate past thick clothing or skin, leaving hidden items in body cavities undetected. **_Static and handheld metal detectors_** require extreme proximity to the screened individual to detect small electronic devices. Waving the detector at an individual is highly intrusive and undesirable especially when screening high-seniority executives in corporate environments. As a market leader in ferromagnetic detection technology, Metrasens are engaged with major data centre operators. Results from preliminary trials have demonstrated the high possibility of mitigating digital noise thereby significantly improving our ability to detect small electronic devices within environments with high magnetic interference. **_This project will focus on creating an ability to detect data storage devices reliably with improved sensitivity._** Based on our initial trials, we will develop static and portable prototype detection systems that will be tested and validated in real-world environments, allowing us to satisfy a broad range of applications. This project will open up new lucrative opportunities in the global physical data security sector and enhance our ability to improve our established detection technology for MRI safety, contraband detection in prisons and counterterrorism. **_We will create new domestic and export opportunities, whilst maintaining the UK's reputation in cutting-edge detection technology._**

Urban soft targets' such as stadia and large arenas have become vulnerable to mass casualty violence as terrorists exploit the inherent vulnerabilities of large crowds. The recent horrific attacks at Bærum (Norway), Halle (Germany), Manchester Arena (UK), Stade de France, Christchurch mosque (New Zealand) and Las Vegas (USA) are graphic examples of attacks where mass casualty threats (e.g. long weapons, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were used. As such, mass casualty threats represent a serious global problem, making urban soft targets particularly vulnerable. Traditional screening solutions such as portal-based detectors (whether conventional metal detection or millimetre wave imagers) are ineffective for high throughput screening as they are slow (<750 people/hour), labour-intensive and highly overt. They require individuals to divest their possessions, forcing them through a portal which becomes impractical, costly and slow, (creating viable targets in itself) leading to long delays and customer frustration. Large security organisations and potential customers have confirmed the need for an accurate, high-throughput, early-warning & cost-effective mass casualty threat detection solution. Using our ferromagnetic technology, Metrasens has developed, with the support of an Innovate UK Smart Award (Project No: 24530 & 72412), the CAST technology, a truly revolutionary mass casualty threat detector. CAST uses a multi-sensor array of low-cost magnetic sensors and real-time advanced algorithms to extract detailed characteristics of the detected objects, which delivers object discrimination. This leads to high throughput screening (\>3,600 people/hour) without divestment or interrupting public flow. The recently completed IUK Projects have brought CAST Technology to this exciting TRL6 position. We now seek this IUK Continuity Strand 2 loan to bring the first product based on the CAST Technology, Skout(tm)1.0, to full market readiness and support initial trials and large-scale demonstrations with potential customers. The successful commercialisation of Skout(tm)1.0 is a core focus within Metrasens' overall strategy and represents an enabling technology to open a new global market opportunity. With a vast number of urban soft targets worldwide, this project will significantly boost UK exports, increase safety of citizens and protect public infrastructure.

Gun and knife crime are clearly severe global problems. In the last 10 years, the UK has unfortunately experienced **245,632 criminal offences** caused by knives or sharp instruments, of which **1,745 resulted in deaths.** Since 2002, handguns have caused 8,316 injuries and killed an estimated 330 people in the UK \[ONS\]. In the US alone, there have been 2,128 mass shootings since 2013\. **This translates to approximately one mass shooting per day** \[Gun Violence Archive\]. High footfall public areas such as stadia, arenas, shopping centres, transportation hubs and other places such as schools and nightclubs represent the ideal targets for mass killings, gun and knife crime. These places require **accurate and cost-effective high throughput screening** for concealed threats such as knives and guns without disrupting public flow. However, existing Walk-Through Metal Detectors (WTMD) fail to accurately discriminate between threat items and harmless metallic objects such as watches, jewellery and mobile phones. To avoid constant false alarms, current WTMD require full divestment of possessions. **However, this significantly reduces throughput rates down to 360 - 600 people/hour, which disrupts public flow, increasing delays, queuing time and public frustration.** Increasing the number of screening lanes increases labour costs, which is prohibitively expensive and sometimes impractical for venue operators. Thus, an unmet market need exists for an accurate and cost-effective detector, capable of discriminating threat vs. non-threat items in near real-time to reduce the need to fully divest and thus increase throughput. **METRASENS,** a rapidly growing UK SME and **RAPISCAN,** a global provider of security screening products, are partnering with the **UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER,** experts in novel electromagnetic systems to develop a truly novel threat detection system. Using a sophisticated array of transmit and receive coils, the **Smart Metal Detector** will identify and locate any threat object by measuring the signatures (Magnetic Polarisability Tensors) of all metal objects carried by each person and comparing those specific signatures to a library of previously classified objects. This reduces the need to fully divest as the detector will accurately distinguish between genuine threats and harmless metallic objects. The Smart Metal Detector represents a paradigm shift in security screening technology, which will enable the accurate discrimination between items, particularly small items such as handguns and knives, without interfering with the public or interrupting public flow. With a vast number of urban soft targets worldwide, this project will significantly boost UK exports, increase safety and improve the visitor experience.

no public description

Events at large venues like arenas and stadia attract tens or even hundreds of thousands of people. **However, these urban 'soft targets' and their perimeters have recently become vulnerable to malicious mass casualty attacks.** The deadly atrocities at Manchester Arena and France's National Football Stadium are graphic examples of the increasing global threat of terrorism on soft targets. **These extremist terrorist attacks kill innocent people including children and lead to severe economic and social disruption.** In 2017, the five terror attacks in the UK, including the Manchester Bombing, led to economic losses of £3.5bn \[RAND Europe\]. The last six mass casualty attacks in Europe resulted in 188 deaths and 808 injuries \[Heritage Foundation\]. **Existing solutions** **such as portal-based detectors (whether metal detection or millimetre wave imagers) are ineffective for outside perimeter screening.** They are slow, labour-intensive and highly overt. They require individuals to divest their possessions, forcing them through a portal which becomes impractical, costly and creates a target in itself. Drones, CCTV, security guards and K9 units are merely observational methods and do not detect threats. **There is thus a large and growing need** to protect the perimeter of 'urban soft targets', before a threat can be realised, without causing disruption to the free flow of people or the venue. This project will develop CAST - **a novel, covert, mass casualty threat detection system based on processing signals from a networked array of advanced ferromagnetic sensors embedded into the built environment, to automatically detect threats.** Integrated with a video management system, CAST's innovative system will 'tag and track' a suspect once an alert has been triggered, allowing security operatives to intercept the individual far enough from the venue to prevent deadly attacks. However, detecting threats from the built environment reliably and accurately poses significant technical challenges, especially to discriminate against benign objects with similar magnetic signatures or interference from external sources. **Metrasens has a successful track-record of developing world-leading, award-winning ferromagnetic detection solutions and we currently export across 44 countries.** This Innovate UK project will allow us to capture a huge global export market and help address the government's top priority to fight terrorism. 5 years post-project, we expect to generate cumulative revenues and profit of £73.8m and £14.8m respectively, in turn creating 74 skilled jobs. **With a vast number of urban soft targets worldwide, this project will significantly boost UK exports, increase safety of citizens and protect infrastructure.**