(19)

(11)

EP 1 040 372 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 04.10.2000 Bulletin 2000/40 (21) Application number: 98961316.1 (22) Date of filing: 17.12.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G01V 7/00, G01C 9/14 (86) International application number: PCT/GB9803/814 (87) International publication number: WO 9932/906 (01.07.1999 Gazette 1999/26)

(84) Designated Contracting States: DE ES FR GB IT NL (30) Priority: 18.12.1997 GB 9726764 (71) Applicant: THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM Edgbaston,Birmingham B15 2TT (GB)	(72) Inventor: SPEAKE, Clive, Christopher Harborne,Birmingham B17 9HR (GB) (74) Representative: Pearce, Anthony Richmond et al MARKS & CLERK,Alpha Tower,Suffolk Street Queensway Birmingham B1 1TT Birmingham B1 1TT (GB)