Research Areas
The SISP group is involved in three main themes of research. They are:
Industrial Process Tomography (IPT)
IPT was established in 1989 and enjoys multi-disciplinary collaboration with the Schools of Chemical Engineering & Analytical Science, Mathematics and Mechanical Engineering. This relatively new technology is progressing from early foundations in low-frequency electrical tomography to include microwave and optoelectronic techniques. The group is the world leader in electrical tomography instrumentation and this has spawned commercial instruments from Industrial Tomography Systems Ltd and Process Tomography Ltd. A £3M Foresight Challenge grant and a £2.2M ESPRC Platform grant were awarded in 1996 and 2001 respectively. A follow-on Platform grant was awarded in 2005.
Vision and Information Processing
The team’s research interests include scientific imaging devices and systems instrumentation, image and video processing, and artificial neural networks and pattern recognition. In parallel work, it uses data-reduction techniques to analyse multiple neuronal signals, e.g. spike trains from real biological neural systems. It also uses information-theoretic and modern statistical techniques along with psychophysical experimentation to model the transduction of sensory signals and to analyse biological vision systems, particularly for colour and shape processing.
Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
Over the last ten years, the team's research projects have involved the development of instrumentation and software for non-destructive testing of materials using a variety of sensing modalities, including inductive scan imaging and ultrasonic systems. We are also involved with the development of systems and software for the analysis of cardiovascular and autonomic function, and the design and development of real-time digital signal processing hardware for audio bandwidth applications.
The Syngenta University Innovation Centre
Sensor science technologies have the capacity to create a paradigm shift in the future of the global agri-food sector. To realise this potential the Syngenta UIC has been developed to identify and nurture business opportunities for medium to longer term applied research. The ultimate objective is to deliver systems for commercial use.