Before CMIM can be deployed operationally, its performance needs to be validated under controlled but realistic conditions. The team carried out laboratory experiments in a water basin using simulants of explosives and narcotics, designed to match the elemental ratios of real substances while remaining safe to handle. Measurements were performed in air, fresh water and salt water to understand how the system behaves in different environments.

Using a pulsed neutron generator and a gamma detector, the researchers showed that CMIM can reliably detect characteristic gamma‑ray lines associated with nitrogen, carbon, oxygen, chlorine and other elements of interest. The analysis demonstrates that the module can distinguish between different types of concealed materials based on their elemental signatures, even when they are immersed in water.

These results confirm CMIM’s potential as a practical tool for rapid, in‑situ assessment of underwater and hull‑borne threats, and pave the way for the next UnderSec phase, where the sealed module will be mounted on an ROV and tested in real maritime environments.