DSDS 22
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This collection showcases outputs from the eighth Defence and Security Doctoral Symposium, hosted at STEAM: Museum of the Great Western Railway, Swindon by Cranfield University in association with DSTL and AWE.
It is the only UK conference to provide research students and early career researchers in defence and security with an opportunity to present their work to a sector-wide audience. Covering both technology and social sciences research, contributions include technical papers, a 3MT (three minute thesis) competition, digital images and posters. In addition, there are plenary talks from thought-leaders, as well as opportunities to interact with industry, publishers and other employers of defence and security researchers.
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Item Open Access Defence and Security Doctoral Symposium 2022 (DSDS22) Flyer(Cranfield University, 2022-08-30T11:41:27Z) Cranfield UniversityFlyer for the Defence and Security Doctoral Symposium (DSDS22) taking place 9-10 November 2022Item Open Access Obliteration Trends Around the World(Cranfield University, 2022-11-21T16:20:18Z) Henwood, BaileyIn both conflict zones and criminal investigations, the identification of firearms used in the commission of crimes is critical. This allows the tracking of weapons from manufacturers and legal owners to illicit actors and unauthorised users. The forensic investigation of firearms used in the commission of crime, in any theatre, is often complicated by the removal of identifying features like serial numbers, factory marks and manufacturer logos. This presentation will outline differences in obliteration techniques across the globe, while also highlighting potential motivations to conceal the firearms identity from the outset.Item Open Access Not so crystal clear : Defects, hot spots and initiations in explosive crystals(Cranfield University, 2022-11-21T16:21:07Z) Mintoff, AliceNitroamine explosives are a crystalline material used in munitions, as a charge or propellant in powder form. These crystalline powders are compounded into formulations with other materials that can be tuned to fit requirements and their sensitiveness to insult is well understood. The larger part of these formulations are the crystalline explosives, which currently have less tunability. Researchers are aware that different crystal structures result in different materials properties. This is seen in nitramine explosives, such as RDX, where sensitivity can be reduced by manufacturing RDX particles to be more spherical and reducing the crystalline defects. They also know that hot spot formation, spots within the structure that heat up faster than surrounding areas, a contributing factor to initiation, is caused by defects within the crystal structures of the explosives. The types of defects, point, line, surface, substitutional, or interstitial, are not unique to energetic crystalline materials and a material could have any combination of these. A better understanding of how thse defects effect the formation of hot spots and the subsequent sensitivity will enable researchers to develop techniques that can produce highly tuned crystalline explosives. This thesis will focus on the nitroamine explosive, HMX, octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine. Large single crystals will be grown using temperature lowering methods and the subsequent defects will then be identified and mapped out using Xray topography. Once characterised, the single crystals will then be subject to a shockwave which will cause initiation. Correlations between this initiation and the mapped defects will be identified.Item Open Access Initiation and Growth in Novel Ignition Threshold Experiments (IGNITE)(Cranfield University, 2022-11-22T11:35:22Z) Heal, KieranIt is well known that the sensitivity of energetic materials increases with damage. However, the sensitivity and damage characteristics of polymer bonded explosives (PBX) have, to date, largely been studied separately. As such, the physical mechanisms through which damage influences sensitivity are poorly understood. The project presented seeks to bring together the fields of damage and sensitivity in PBXs. It will do this by firstly exploiting controllable methodologies for imparting damage across a range of strain rates, as well as exploring the use of the time-temperature superposition principle as a substitute for strain rates which are practically challenging to achieve. The sensitivity of damaged PBXs will then be studied in both thin and thick shock regimes to produce ignition criterion curves, referred to as James Curves. Throughout this work, imaging of the material microstructure will be undertaken to investigate the underlying mechanisms affecting the results.Overall, this these will provide the first complete experimental picture of damage to PBXs across the high and low strain rate regimes and its influence on the initiation of those materials. This picture is an important part of understanding how the safety and reliability of PBXs can be ensured into the future.Item Open Access Metals in extreme environments; Effect of multiple high velocity shots(Cranfield University, 2022-11-22T11:35:41Z) Stephenson, John-JosephDuring high strain rate scenarios such as an impact event, a compressive shock wave will propagate through the material. When this wave reaches a free surface, it will be reflected as a rarefaction wave. Interaction of these rarefaction waves can lead to localised tension developing in the material, leading to tensile failure, or spallation, which has been studied extensively over many years.What has been far less studied is the effect of a secondary compression on shock damaged material. This research will investigate this and determine if, and if so under what conditions, recompaction will occur in Aluminium and Titanium. This should provide fundamental knowledge of complex loading scenarios, aiding understanding of extreme events in both civil and military spheres. The work will involve the design of a passive' recovery system, which in addition to reducing the time required to produce samples for this work will have wider applications within the shock community.During high strain rate scenarios such as an impact event, a compressive shock wave will propagate through the material. When this wave reaches a free surface, it will be reflected as a rarefaction wave. Interaction of these rarefaction waves can lead to localised tension developing in the material, leading to tensile failure, or spallation, which has been studied extensively over many years. What has been far less studied is the effect of a secondary compression on shock damaged material. This research will investigate this and determine if, and if so under what conditions, recompaction will occur in Aluminium and Titanium. This should provide fundamental knowledge of complex loading scenarios, aiding understanding of extreme events in both civil and military spheres. The work will involve the design of a 'passive' recovery system, which in addition to reducing the time required to produce samples for this work will have wider applications within the shock community.Item Open Access Development of Sustainable PPE for Higher Threat Clearance Operations by Humanitarian Organisations(Cranfield University, 2022-11-22T11:35:53Z) Brown, LauraHumanitarian demining is a hugely important task being undertaken all over the world with 59 countries and territories still contaminated by landmines and unexploded ordnance as of 2020. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for demining has traditionally been designed to protect against threats from legacy mines. However, over the last decade there has been an increase in the charge sizes used in these devices. It is currently unknown how the current PPE will perform and interact with these larger threats. Therefore, there is a need to understand whether improvements need to be made to both the standards used and the PPE itself. PPE that would be used by the police and militaries for these higher charge threats, e.g. IEDs and UXO, is highly developed, however it is extremely expensive and would be inappropriate for the demining industry. This project is therefore working to bridge the gap and help produce an effective and low-cost PPE solution that can be used by the humanitarian sector.Item Open Access Multistatic Synthetic Aperture Radar Phenomenology and Interferometry(Cranfield University, 2022-11-22T11:36:33Z) Hagelberg, AlexanderSynthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) is a remote sensing technique which provides high resolution imagery over large areas of the Earth. Unlike optical imagery, SAR operates in all-weathers, day or night. SAR images provide different information compared to electro-optical imagery and allows interferometry to be performed. Interferometry provides sensitive detection of ground height and of changes on the ground. This project investigates multistatic SAR geometries suitable to swarm radar platform concepts including SAR satellite constellations, as well as the processing of collected data.Item Open Access Until Sniffer Dogs Can Talk: CRIM-TRACK(Cranfield University, 2022-11-22T14:39:37Z) Hardy, IonaThis image is a digitally drawn short comic highlighting the CRIM-TRACK sniffer, a device that utilises a colourimetric sensor system to detect illicit compounds by their vapour at sensitivity rivalling a sniffer dog, but with better discrimination. Both detection methods can detect multiple substances, but sniffer dogs cannot signal which substance they have found, whilst the CRIM-TRACK sniffer can. The research aims to contribute to developing the CRIM-TRACK sniffer device, specifically the disposable colourimetric microchips used. This is being carried out by investigating the colour change mechanisms of select dyes when they encounter illicit compounds such as illicit drugs, homemade explosives, and their precursor chemicals using common analytical techniques. This data will allow future generations of the microchip to be tuned via dye selection for specific scenarios.Item Open Access Visualising the Dispersion of Particles Within a Functionally Graded Material(Cranfield University, 2022-11-22T14:40:10Z) Powell, DanielFunctionally graded materials (FGMs) are designed to carefully alter material properties along a selected axis. This image shows FGMs created through mixing varying percentage volumes of high-density tungsten powder (in orange) with a low-viscosity epoxy (in white). Black regions show pores. As the epoxy cures the tungsten particles settle at various depths under gravity, notably in the 1%, 5% and 10% samples. Whilst there are multiple uses for FGMs, this research investigates if they could control the passage of damaging shock waves through a ceramic armour system, especially at the interlayer between a ceramic and metal.Item Open Access Nuclear Power: Finding the missing piece(Cranfield University, 2022-11-22T14:40:32Z) Mirza, MateenThere is now a clear consensus that our energy demands must be met through lower carbon solutions. As our global population continues to rise and aspires to higher living standards we are faced with increasingly ambitious energy targets in the transport, industry and power sectors. Nuclear power remains one of the few reliable energy sources. However, there remains a missing piece to the puzzle. Whether this relates to spent nuclear fuel reprocessing, the ongoing issue of waste disposal or improving our fleet of nuclear reactor systems is left to the viewer's thoughts.Item Open Access Towards a Method of Exploring the Limits of Low Frequency Time-Temperature Superposition Models in Predicting the High Frequency Response of Epoxy-Amine Resins(Cranfield University, 2022-11-24T17:31:34Z) Uncles, CarolineDMA has long been used to probe the viscoelastic properties of polymers. Not only has it been used to determine the glass transition temperature, but it is also often used to obtained data at higher frequencies through the principle of time-temperature superposition (TTS). There are several challenges which arise when using TTS and this poster highlights them in order to understand why TTS data is not so readily published within papers. The challenges include identifying your reference temperature, selecting your shift factor and the ideal master curve. These three challenges named are the main challenges with TTS and there is no one set method to overcome these when they are encountered.Item Open Access Development of Sustainable PPE for Higher Threat Clearance Operations by Humanitarian Organisations(Cranfield University, 2022-11-24T17:32:10Z) Brown, LauraHumanitarian demining is a hugely important task being undertaken all over the world with 59 countries and territories still contaminated by landmines and unexploded ordnance as of 2020. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for demining has traditionally been designed to protect against threats from legacy mines. However, over the last decade there has been an increase in the charge sizes used in these devices. It is currently unknown how the current PPE will perform and interact with these larger threats. Therefore, there is a need to understand whether improvements need to be made to both the standards used and the PPE itself. PPE that would be used by the police and militaries for these higher charge threats, e.g. IEDs and UXO, is highly developed, however it is extremely expensive and would be inappropriate for the demining industry. This project is therefore working to bridge the gap and help produce an effective and low-cost PPE solution that can be used by the humanitarian sector.Item Open Access Comparing the Decay of Physical and Digital Inoculation Against Disinformation(Cranfield University, 2022-11-24T17:32:28Z) Niklas HendersonSince entering the post-truth digital age, awareness in false information spreading online has increased rapidly. Despite this increased awareness it remains a serious problem, with Russian and Chinese state disinformation campaigns proving effective on online social networks (OSNs), impacting the wider UK political landscape. There are many areas of intervention across the mis- and disinformation landscape, including machine learning detection and classification methods, bad actor research, and some cognitive approaches. One cognitive-based approach is Inoculation Theory, originally developed by William J. McGuire. Inoculation theory follows the biological analogy, in that to increase resistance to persuasion the subject should be pre-exposed to a weakened version of a persuasive argument. Researchers have used inoculation theory in both physical and digital interventions, with participants yielding positive results identifying false information, and resisting 'fake news' This research focuses on understanding how the decay of inoculating effects differs relative to whether the inoculation intervention was delivered digitally or physically. Participants are inoculated to build resistance to disinformation using a board game, and results are compared to the inoculation decay of other, digital disinformation games.Item Open Access Explosive Risk Assessment for Hydrogen Use in Domestic Applications(Cranfield University, 2022-11-24T17:32:51Z) Thawani, BonnyThe UK government aims to shift towards hydrogen-based energy for domestic applications between 2028-2035. While hydrogen is a carbon neutral resource, it has a very low ignition energy (0.019mJ) and high flammability range (4-75% in air). This project aims to understand the use of hydrogen in the natural gas network as a replacement for methane and especially assess the explosive threat posed by this. More specifically, the project focuses on the simulation (and experimental validation) of hydrogen gas flow in pipes and enclosed spaces (such as boiler cabinets) to enable visualisation of the explosive threat (including deflagration-to-detonation transition) in case of an accident. Mathematical and computational simulations were used to estimate the pressure loss of gases in pipes of different diameters (0.01m - 1m) and materials (Polyethylene and X52 steel). Simulations for the turbulent flow of hydrogen and methane in pipes of different diameters showed that hydrogen has to be transported at approximately 2.5-2.7 times the velocity used for methane, to replicate the pressure loss per meter. From the mathematical models, it was noted that different pipe materials influence the pressure loss in turbulent gas flow due to the relationship between absolute roughness of the material and friction factor. While the mathematical model and computational model have slightly different approaches to estimate turbulent flow, the results from the two are largely in agreement with an approximate error of 10%.Item Open Access A Taxonomy for Contrasting Industrial Control Systems Asset Discovery Tools(Cranfield University, 2022-11-24T17:33:43Z) Samanis, ManolisThe number of tools for scanning industrial assets has grown considerably over the past decade. There is currently a plethora of free and commercial asset scanning tools which specialize in industrial control system (ICS) devices. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is no information pertaining to their actual capabilities and no experimental comparative comparison of their features. Moreover, it is not clear to what depth of scanning these tools can reach and whether the tools are suitable to use in a scaled industrial network architecture. This poster provides the first systematic features comparison available on free to use asset scanning tools, on the basis of an ICS scanning taxonomy we propose. Based on the taxonomy, we investigate tools scanning depth and validate results through experimentation on Siemens and Allen Bradley devices.Item Open Access Morphology Of Uninhabited Vehicle Platform Complexity Using Information Theory-based Methods(Cranfield University, 2022-11-24T17:34:14Z) Kumar, AjayComplexity of a dynamical system is defined as a function of the morphology and the information entropy of the system. Structure is an essential property of the dynamical systems, for it to perform functions, by enabling the flow of information in the system. Many times, the structure of the system is not completely known. In such a case, it can be estimated using elements of information theory (Shannon's information entropy, mutual information). The complexity of the system is bounded. The upper bound is uncertainty dominated and relationships between the elements of the system are fuzzy. On the other hand, at the lower bound, the system functions in a deterministic structure-dominated fashion. The robustness of the system is a measure of margins between the current complexity to the critical complexity of the system.Item Open Access Through-Thickness Properties of Composite Thin Shell Booms(Cranfield University, 2022-11-24T17:34:47Z) Ayres, HenryThe deployment of lightweight composite booms has been a feature of the space industry for 50+ years to alter a spacecrafts geometry in space. Traditional deployment techniques have used stored strain energy, inflatables, or rotary electric motors to control the change in geometry. These composite thin shell booms are similar to a carpenter's tape measure in the way they coil in a housing and then extend from it. The composite thin shell booms are approximately ⅓ mm thick and are composed of a [±45f/0/±45f] carbon fibre epoxy laminate. Their mechanical properties are key to their successful deployment, in particular, their relaxation over time in storage before launch can result in deployment issues. This work aims to evaluate the through-thickness properties of composite thin shell booms. Finite element analysis was performed to investigate the deformation of the composite under out-of-plane loading and has been validated by performing a sensitivity analysis on the mechanical property inputs. Experimental work has also been undertaken to evaluate the through-thickness compressive young's modulus of composite thin shell booms and their through-thickness viscoelastic properties. This includes dynamic interferometric measurements of the composite to out-of-plane compressive loading. This work has evaluated the through-thickness properties of composite thin shell booms and constructed a material model of them.Item Open Access Methodology to Support the Generation of Firearm Obliteration Profiles(Cranfield University, 2022-11-24T17:35:27Z) Henwood, BaileyIt is commonly known that the removable of markings on a firearm can reduce the traceability by anonymising each weapon, however we do not currently have an understanding on how the location in which the obliteration is carried out may affect the type of obliteration observed. Data has been collected from 19 countries around the world including forensically advanced countries and conflict-afflicted countries, which are generally not forensically aware. To investigate the potential of regional obliteration trends, a methodology was created to support the identification of firearms obliteration trends seen around the world. Having an established methodology is critical to understand the prevalence of obliteration techniques in various regions. More than 800 small arms and light weapons (SALW) with obliterations will be analysed in an effort to build regional profiles. The techniques used may reflect the forensic awareness and technical capability in an area, while the profiles allow an obliteration reference database to be established.Item Open Access Investigation into the detonation performances of Urea Hydrogen Peroxide (UHP)(Cranfield University, 2023-01-04T10:28:53Z) Halleux, FrancisWithin the scope of countering the threat of Improvised Explosive Devices, Home Made Explosives constitute a major public security concern, requiring specific risk assessments for first responders such as Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams. Among potential emerging threats, Urea Hydrogen Peroxide (UHP) is investigated, considering the ease of manufacture combined with the availability of its precursors. Previous research from the same authors demonstrated UHP detonability at small-scale under heavy confinement and provided an initial characterisation (lab-scale) of detonation performance parameters. As a maximum of experimental data is particularly desirable to accurately evaluate the detonation parameters of non-ideal explosives, initial lab characterisation is here completed and complemented by field and underwater instrumented firings using scaled-up charges.Item Open Access Design and Development of Passive Shock Recovery Systems(Cranfield University, 2023-01-04T10:29:04Z) Stephenson, John-JosephSystems for the recovery of spalled and non-spalled samples have been used for several years. These tend to involve the sample and a series of interior spall plates at the rear of the target through which the shock wave can propagate and reflect. The geometry of these plates is intended to be such that the tension will not occur in the sample, thus preventing spall. The assembly of recovery targets requires great precision, and the construction of a single target can take close to 100-man hours. This work looks at developing a passive recovery system with external spall plate attached to the target momentum ring using epoxy resin. This would significantly reduce the number of man hours required to produce a target, reducing the cost of recovery shots and allowing for more recovery shots to be performed within an experimental run. Recovery-type compression only shots can play a role in the recompaction of spalled metals as the spall plates will keep the sample in compression, allowing the spall plane to recompress while the dynamic work from the shock wave seals up the voids. This work will also look at the use of a ‘passive’ recovery system as part of a 2-stage 'spall and recompaction' test. Should this be verified, this would reduce the cost and complexity of recompaction shots by removing the need for heat bed such as in Jones et al, or multi-stage impactors seen in Hawkins et al.