Cobalt light systems (2019-05-29) by Ted Humble-SmithMuseum of Engineering Innovation
The winner of the 2014 MacRobert Award: Airport Security
Cobalt Light Systems developed an airport security scanner that identifies a liquid in a container.
The technique uses a variant of Raman spectroscopy and advanced algorithms to distinguish between the container and its contents.
Using lasers, liquids, and prisms a pattern of light is formed that is uniquely dependent on the content of the liquid.
It can identify the chemical composition of a substance in seconds, in bottles of up to three litres, to determine if they contain anything considered a threat and without having to open them.
The technique is used in airports across Europe and for other applications including real-time diagnostic tools for cancer and bone disease.
The artist was inspired by the prisms and lasers used in Raman spectroscopy by the scanner to create a unique pattern of light that can identify specific substances in liquids, even in non-transparent materials.
Cobalt Light Systems: Winners of the MacRobert Award
Artist Ted Humble-Smith was inspired by prisims and light in airport security scanners to mark the 50th Anniversary of the MacRobert Award
50 years of the MacRobert AwardMuseum of Engineering Innovation
MacRobert Award for Engineering Innovation: Fran Scott interviews Ted Humble-SmithMuseum of Engineering Innovation
The artist inspired by engineering
Ted Humble-Smith is a photographer and director who brings a sense of magic to the meticulous conceptual images he creates for the luxury fashion, beauty, jewellery, and business worlds.
Ted Humble-Smith uses his imagination and technical expertise to produce vibrant images that push the boundaries of commercial photography. He talked to engineers involved in MacRobert Award-winning projects to picture the concepts behind the innovations. His images capture the thought process behind the breakthroughs, rather than illustrating the innovations’ technical workings.
