Solid rock is no barrier for innovative physicist
Imagine the advantage to the mining industry of being able to ‘see’ through rock without having to excavate.
This is what Dark Matter Centre physicist Federico Scutti is working towards with new Australia’s Economic Accelerator (AEA) funding.
As part of the Innovate program, Dr Scutti of Swinburne University of Technology has partnered with MDetect to use particles from space, known as muons, to develop the technology to scan large underground regions.
He explains how fundamental physics research led to this exciting translational project.
How will the AEA grant be used?
The grant will fund the development of advanced muon tomography technology in collaboration with mDetect, a Swinburne spin-off. Muon tomography consists in using cosmic muons to create detailed 3D images of underground structures. We want to scale up this technology and demonstrate a large-scale deployment of sensors with improved angular resolution and size. The project will support data integration, development of software tools and algorithms, field trials, and partnerships with industry to ensure the technology and its software pipeline is ready for real-world applications.
Why is this important to the mining industry?
Muon tomography provides a safer, non-invasive way to see deep underground without drilling, functioning in a similar way as medical X-ray scans for large sites. For mining companies, this means they can reduce exploration risks and costs, improve safety, and minimise environmental impact. Muon tomography will help detect ore bodies, map voids, and monitor stability in a way that is cost-effective and sustainable.
How did the idea for this research and development happen?
The concept grew from fundamental particle physics research, where muons are studied routinely to monitor environmental backgrounds to rare signals. Muons are particles produced by primary cosmic rays from space and can reach far into the underground environment. The SABRE South experiment, for example, has to carefully monitor the muon flux deep at the Stawell Underground Physics Laboratory. With a few SABRE South collaborators we saw potential for industrial applications. mDetect emerged from this idea, and through collaboration with mining partners, we identified how to adapt the technology to address real challenges in resource exploration and safety.
How did you get involved in this research?
My background is in particle physics, and I’ve worked for years on experiments that use muons to study matter. When I joined Swinburne, I saw an opportunity to bridge fundamental science with industry needs. Working with mDetect and the mining sector was a natural step to bring cutting-edge science into practical use.
What inspires/interests you most about this work?
I’m excited by the idea of turning fundamental physics into tools that solve real-world problems. It is an opportunity to see the transformative value that science has in our world and it is highly rewarding.
What is the next step in the research and development?
Our next step is to test new mDetect devices in an operational mining environment. We will need to refine our imaging algorithms and data processing pipeline for large-scale deployments. We’re also exploring how to make the system more automated and integrate it with other sensing methods. Ultimately, the goal is to deliver a robust, user-friendly solution for the resources sector.