I-Corps: Advanced 3D Software for Ground Penetrating Radars

该项目使用先进的图像处理算法和3D可视化技术来支持无损检测的新方法以及其他传感应用。探地雷达(GPR)是一种高效的无损检测(NDT)工具，目前用于许多应用，如民用基础设施检测、地雷检测、埋地爆炸危险检测、地球物理传感和公用事业检测。虽然有商业上可用的用于数据收集的探地雷达技术，但它们通常无法实现三维(3D)数据重建和可视化。目前用于处理探地雷达数据的软件提供二维(2D)数据解释，这使得解释和可视化被检查/检测到的物体的状况变得困难。该项目将通过集成3D可视化来补充现有的用于数据分析和可视化的探地雷达技术。有了3D可视化，就有可能对被检查的区域生成准确的解释，而不需要花费额外的金钱和时间来培训人员解释2D数据。拟议创新的预期客户包括但不限于探地雷达软件开发商、地球物理传感用户、桥梁工程师/承包商和民用基础设施检查员。NSF I-Corps项目的目标是探索3D模型软件的商业可行性，该软件可用于有效地分析各种探地雷达数据类型。基于先进的图像处理算法和三维可视化的增强型探地雷达数据分析软件将为探地雷达的无损检测和其他用途提供新的方法。该项目的成功商业化将为地球物理传感、民用基础设施检查和评估以及其他潜在应用提供全面、快速和低成本的新的无损检测软件辅助传感和检测系统。在i-Corps计划期间，i-Corps团队将专注于：(1)最终确定适合每种类型的探地雷达的3D模型软件；(2)针对不同类型的探地雷达对软件进行全面测试；3)采访至少100名客户以确定市场需求；以及(4)为拟议的软件制定商业化计划。

This projects uses advanced image processing algorithms and 3D visualization techniques to support new methods of nondestructive testing as well as other sensing applications.Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is an efficient nondestructive testing (NDT) tool, currently used for many applications such as civil infrastructure inspection, mine detection, buried explosive hazards detection, geophysical sensing, and utilities detection. While there are commercially available GPR technologies for data collection, typically, they do not enable three-dimensional (3D) data reconstruction and visualization. Current software for processing GPR data offers two-dimensional (2D) data interpretation, making it difficult to interpret and visualize the condition of inspected/detected objects. This project will compliment already existing GPR technology for data analysis and visualization by integrating 3D visualization. With 3D visualization, it is possible to generate accurate interpretations of an area being inspected, without spending extra money and time to train personnel to interpret 2D data. The anticipated customers of the proposed innovation are, but not limited to, GPR software developers, geophysical sensing users, bridge engineers/contractors, and civil infrastructure inspectors. The objective of this NSF I-Corps project is to explore the commercial viability of the 3D model software which can be used to efficiently analyze various GPR data types. Enhanced GPR data analysis software, based on advanced image processing algorithms and 3D visualization, will provide new methodologies to nondestructive testing and other uses of GPR. The successful commercialization of this project will provide new NDT software-assisted sensing and inspection systems that will be comprehensive, rapid, and low cost for geophysical sensing, civil infrastructure inspection and evaluation as well as other potential applications. During the I-Corps program, this I-Corps team will focus on: (1) finalizing the 3D model software to fit with each type of GPR; (2) comprehensive testing of the software for various GPR types; 3) interviewing at least 100 customers to identify the market need; and(4) developing commercialization plans for the proposed software.