Dolphin-Inspired Radar

Oct-28-13 The dolphin’s method of hunting with bubble nets has inspired a new type of radar able to detect explosive devices among less harmful ‘clutter.’

The technology, called twin inverted pulse radar (TWIPS), uses two sonar pulses sent in quick succession. The pulses are phase inverted, and when they hit a solid target the reflected sound is scattered in a linear pattern. Bubbles scatter the sound in a different way, which allows the TWIPS (and dolphins) to differentiate between underwater targets and bubbles. The team went on to successfully determine that the same method will work using electromagnetic waves. The result is slightly different, however, with the electromagnetic method causing the target to produce the non-linear scattering.

Besides searching for bombs, the TWIPR technology could be used to find survivors buried in rubble by seeking out their cell phones.

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[GIZMAG.COM]
[UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON]

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