Netrix S.A., in consortium with the Centrum Badawczo-Rozwojowe Technologii Informatycznych Sp. z o.o. and Lubelska Akademia WSEI, is implementing the project entitled “Innovative Tomographic System for Non-Invasive Imaging and Analysis of the Spatial Distribution of Moisture in Building Structures.” The project is co-financed by the European Union under the SMART Path measure, Priority: Support for Enterprises, within the European Funds for a Modern Economy Programme.
The objective of the project is to develop a mobile microwave tomograph – a modern, non-invasive measurement system that will enable precise determination of the spatial distribution of moisture in building materials, wooden structures, and buildings of particular historical value. The planned device will operate over a broad frequency range of 1–25 GHz, allowing measurement parameters to be adjusted to the specific properties of different materials. The system will be equipped with proprietary high-sensitivity microwave sensors capable of detecting subtle changes in moisture distribution, while moisture localisation will be possible with an accuracy of several centimetres and measurement repeatability of ±2%.
A fundamental element of the project is the development of dedicated algorithms for solving the forward and inverse problems in microwave tomography. The first group of algorithms will model microwave propagation in the examined material, taking into account differences in dielectric properties and the influence of environmental conditions. The second group will enable the reconstruction and visualisation of moisture distribution based on the measured signals. By integrating microwave technologies with artificial intelligence algorithms, the system will generate clear two-dimensional and three-dimensional moisture maps, as well as detailed reports supporting decision-making related to maintenance and renovation. The final product – resistant to electromagnetic interference and variable weather conditions – will significantly improve the diagnosis of material condition and the identification of moisture-related risks, raising the standards of moisture measurement in applications ranging from technical assessment of buildings to cultural heritage conservation.
The target market can be divided into the following segments:
- Construction and renovation companies – requiring advanced tools for building inspections prior to acceptance, as well as for diagnosing moisture in wall and foundation systems.
- Conservation and heritage protection sector – institutions and specialists responsible for protecting cultural heritage, for whom non-invasive inspection of walls, vaults, and underground structures is crucial, particularly where traditional diagnostic methods are too invasive or ineffective.
- Property managers and building inspectors – requiring precise localisation of leaks and localised sources of moisture in multi-family and commercial buildings.
- Industry and building materials manufacturers – companies engaged in prefabrication and materials production that require moisture control of components such as concrete, wood, and brick.
The work carried out within the project will include industrial research and experimental development activities conducted by the project Leader and consortium members:
Task 1 – Industrial research – Development of the architecture of microwave tomograph modules (Netrix S.A.) – the objective of this task is to develop the modules of the microwave tomography system, including a microwave generation module operating in the 1–25 GHz range, an emission and detection module, a signal amplification and filtering module, and a digital microwave signal processing module. An embedded system integrating the individual modules will also be developed, together with algorithms for conditioning measurement data.
Task 2 – Industrial research – Development of reconstruction algorithms for microwave tomography (Lubelska Akademia WSEI) – this task includes the development of proprietary algorithms for solving the forward and inverse problems in microwave tomography, using, among others, Gauss–Newton methods, level-set methods, gradient-based methods, hybrid approaches, and regularisation techniques. In parallel, methods for reducing noise and artefacts will be developed, including artificial intelligence-based solutions aimed at improving the accuracy and reliability of reconstructed images.
Task 3 – Industrial research – Research on hardware-layer components (CBRTI) – the objective of this task is to conduct research on high-frequency components enabling operation within the 1–25 GHz range, develop a power supply module ensuring stable and safe system operation, and create a microprocessor-based measurement control module responsible for data acquisition and preliminary real-time analysis.
Task 4 – Industrial research – Research on integrated functional modules of the microwave tomograph and implementation of the embedded system (Netrix S.A.) – this task covers the integration of technological components and subsystems of the microwave measurement system, followed by their verification under simulated operating conditions. The aim is to achieve consistent and stable system performance enabling effective measurements and image reconstruction in an environment resembling real-world conditions.
Task 5 – Industrial research – Development of machine learning algorithms for the microwave measurement system (Lubelska Akademia WSEI) – the objective of this task is to develop advanced machine learning algorithms for the automatic detection of moisture-affected areas and the analysis of moisture depth and distribution. The work will include preparation of training data, development, training, validation, and optimisation of models, including neural networks, as well as their implementation in the measurement system.
Task 6 – Industrial research – Research and integration of prototype functional modules (CBRTI) – this task focuses on the development of a highly complex, multilayer electronic system integrating all key functionalities of the tomograph: the transmit-receive path, amplifiers, filtering circuits, power supply, control systems, and protection mechanisms, with particular emphasis on eliminating inter-channel crosstalk, minimising noise, and ensuring effective shielding.
Task 7 – Experimental development – Development of the final prototype version of the solution (Netrix S.A.) – under this task, the final prototype will be created. The device will undergo miniaturisation, and a mechanical design including an enclosure and operator panel will be developed to protect the device against external factors. The final prototype will be optimised in terms of functionality, durability, and readiness for production.
Task 8 – Experimental development – Development of a moisture detection and monitoring system (Lubelska Akademia WSEI) – the objective of this task is to develop a desktop application and an artificial intelligence system supporting the interpretation of moisture measurement results. The system will automatically analyse measurement data, generate reports, and provide intuitive user interfaces tailored to the needs of end users.
Task 9 – Experimental development – Miniaturisation of electronic systems (CBRTI) – this task includes the miniaturisation of the tomograph’s electronic systems, optimisation of PCB topology, and selection of smaller components while maintaining the required electrical parameters and electromagnetic compatibility. This will reduce the overall dimensions of the device and improve its energy efficiency.
The final product will be ready for market deployment and capable of achieving a significant market share.
Project value: PLN 6,475,282.73
European Funds contribution: PLN 5,164,836.74
Implementation period: July 2026 – December 2028
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