Development of an Electromagnetic Detection Method for Explosive Materials

Abstract:

The main technical requirements for the development of an electromagnetic detection method for explosive materials are considered. The main elements of interference that increase the detection error are classified. The probability of detecting explosives at different soil depths is modeled. It was found that the frequency of the scanning signal has the greatest influence. Thus, reducing the scanning frequency increases the probability of detecting an object. However, reducing the irradiation frequency is limited by the resolution for objects of a given size. It is shown that reducing the dielectric constant of the soil does not lead to satisfactory detection probabilities even in the upper soil layer. In the size range of real explosives (0.1–0.5 m), the detection probability decreases by 10-25%. The analysis of the characteristic time signatures of explosives imitations showed that the development of a database of such signatures will reduce the number of false signals. An algorithm for the implementation of the method of electromagnetic detection of explosives consisting of 18 functional blocks and three logical blocks has been developed. The obtained results made it possible to describe the procedure for detecting explosive materials in a contaminated area. The use of the obtained results in humanitarian demining will increase the speed of surveying the territory, increase the probability of detecting explosive objects and reduce the risk of injury to personnel conducting humanitarian demining.

• Periodical: Advances in Science and Technology (Volume 170)
• Pages: 153-162
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-M6uMyW
• Online since: November 2025
• Authors: Maksym Kustov*, Artem Karpov, Serhii Zimin, Valeriy Strelec
• Keywords: Dielectric Constant, Electromagnetic Detection, Electromagnetic Scanner, Explosive Material, Method Algorithm, Radar

References

[1] V. Ustymenko, Y. Rohozian, O. Trehub, P. Liashenko, D. Zablodska, Economic and legal dimension of humanitarian demining of Ukraine: problem and research prospects. Amazonia Investiga. 12(65) (2023) 287–295.

DOI: 10.34069/ai/2023.65.05.27

[2] Y. Rohozian, K. Sieriebriak, Y. Akhromkin, M. Plietnov, V. Vakhlakova, International Determinants of Demining Territories in the Context of Sustainable Development: Economic Projection. Problemy Ekorozwoju. 19(2) (2024) 203–214.

DOI: 10.35784/preko.6202

[3] AW. Dorn, Eliminating Hidden Killers: How Can Technology Help Humanitarian Demining? Stability: International Journal of Security & Development. 8(1) 5 (2019)  1–17.

DOI: 10.5334/sta.743

[4] L. Ekenberg, T. Fasth, A. Larsson, Hazards and quality control in humanitarian demining, International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management. 35 4 (2018) 897–913.

DOI: 10.1108/ijqrm-01-2016-0012

[5] M.I. Hassan, D. Ahmat, S. Ouya, Technologies Behind the Humanitarian Demining: A Review, 2024 International Conference on Smart Applications, Communications and Networking (SmartNets). Harrisonburg, VA, USA. (2024) 1–7.

DOI: 10.1109/smartnets61466.2024.10577706

[6] C. Camacho-Sanchez, R. Yie-Pinedo, G. Galindo, Humanitarian demining for the clearance of landmine-affected areas. Socio-Economic Planning Sciences. 88 (2023) 101611.

DOI: 10.1016/j.seps.2023.101611

[7] S. Mahmood, S. Scharoba, J. Schorlemer, C. Schulz, M. Hübner, M. Reichenbach, Detecting improvised land-mines using deep neural networks on GPR image dataset targeting FPGAs. In 2022 IEEE Nordic Circuits and Systems Conference (NorCAS). (2022) 1–7.

DOI: 10.1109/norcas57515.2022.9934735

[8] X. Gao, J. W. Podd, D.J. Daniels, A.J. Peyton, Combining Electromagnetic Spectroscopy and Ground-Penetrating Radar for the Detection of Anti-Personnel Landmines. Sensors. 19 (2019) 3390.

DOI: 10.3390/s19153390

[9] A. Machado Brito-da-Costa, D. Martins, D. Rodrigues, L. Fernandes, R. Moura, Á. Madureira-Carvalho, Ground penetrating radar for buried explosive devices detection: A case studies review. Australian journal of forensic sciences. 54(4) (2022) 559–578.

DOI: 10.1080/00450618.2020.1865453

[10] J. Baur, G. Steinberg, A. Nikulin, K. Chiu, T. S. de Smet, Applying deep learning to automate UAV-based detection of scatterable landmines. Remote Sensing. 12(5) (2020) 859.

DOI: 10.3390/rs12050859

[11] I. Nevliudov, D. Yanushkevych, L. Ivanov, Analysis of the state of creation of robotic complexes for humanitarian demining. Technology Audit and Production Reserves. 6(2(62) (2021) 47–52

DOI: 10.15587/2706-5448.2021.245803

[12] A. Karpov, M. Kustov, O. Basmanov, O. Kulakov, Investigation of Diffraction of Electromagnetic Microwaves on Explosive Materials. Advances in Science and Technology. 156 (2024) 91–102.

DOI: 10.4028/p-cg2mbv

[13] M. Kustov, A. Karpov, S. Harbuz, A. Savchenko, Effect of Physical and Chemical Properties of Explosive Materials on the Conditions of their Use. Key Engineering Materials. 952 (2023) 143-154.

DOI: 10.4028/p-0h8ung

[14] R. Firoozabadi, E. L. Miller, C. M. Rappaport, A.W. Morgenthaler, Sub-surface sensing of buried objects under a randomly rough surface using scattered electromagnetic field data IEEE Trans on Geoscience and Remote Sensing. 45 1 (2007) 93–104.

DOI: 10.1109/tgrs.2006.883462

[15] Ch. Müller, M. Scharmach, M. Gaal, D. Guelle, A. Lewis, A. Sieber, Performance demonstration for humanitarian demining: Test and evaluation of mine searching equipment in detecting mines. Materials Testing. 45 11–12 (2003) 504–512.

DOI: 10.1515/mt-2003-0004