A team led by the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) in Abu Dhabi has developed NATHR-G1, a ground penetrating radar for detecting landmines and unexploded ordnance. The project, involving researchers from Colombia, Germany, Sweden, and Switzerland, builds on earlier work using radar to detect buried objects. NATHR-G1 incorporates machine learning for advanced signal processing and object identification. Why it matters: This humanitarian application of AI and robotics based in the UAE could significantly reduce casualties from landmines and other explosive remnants of war.
Technology Innovation Institute (TII) has developed a drone-based Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) system capable of detecting underground water leaks at depths of up to 40 meters. The system uses P-, L-, and C-band radar signals to identify anomalies in soil moisture and subsurface disturbances. The SAR technology was previously validated for archaeology and infrastructure and is now optimized for sandy environments. Why it matters: This innovation offers a more efficient and sustainable method for monitoring infrastructure, reducing water loss and maintenance costs for utilities across the region.
TII's DERC, in partnership with Brazilian firm RADAZ, has obtained the first microwave images from their joint project on Airborne Multi-band Interferometric Microwave Imaging (A(MI)2) in Abu Dhabi. The project uses a new multiband Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) operating in P, L, and C frequency bands to generate terrain images. The system, which can be mounted on commercial drones, also integrates Ground Penetrating Radar capability to detect buried objects. Why it matters: This technology enhances remote sensing capabilities in the region, enabling applications in agriculture, infrastructure monitoring, and search and rescue operations.
The Directed Energy Research Center (DERC) is partnering with Montena Technology to study high-altitude electromagnetic pulses and design infrastructure safeguards. DERC is also collaborating with Radaz to evaluate ground penetrating and synthetic aperture radars in Abu Dhabi, aiming to identify natural resources. Additionally, DERC and Université de Picardie Jules Verne are working on laser sources and sensors, with a DERC researcher spending four years in France. Why it matters: These partnerships enhance DERC's research capabilities in critical areas like infrastructure protection, resource exploration, and advanced sensing technologies.
A team from KAUST's Earth Science and Engineering program visited the site of the ongoing volcanic eruption in Iceland, which began in August 2014. Researchers monitored ground movements related to a collapsing structure near the eruption site using GPS instruments to measure vertical ground displacements. They aim to compare these measurements with satellite radar data to quantify volume changes before, during, and after the eruption. Why it matters: This study exemplifies the application of KAUST's earth science expertise to understanding and monitoring significant geological events, contributing to hazard assessment and risk management in volcanically active regions.