(19)

(11)

EP 1 257 848 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 20.11.2002 Bulletin 2002/47 (21) Application number: 00974182.8 (22) Date of filing: 14.11.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G01T 1/29, G01N 23/20, G01N 23/203 (86) International application number: PCT/AU0001/393 (87) International publication number: WO 0103/6997 (25.05.2001 Gazette 2001/21)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 18.11.1999 AU PQ414299 19.11.1999 AU PQ415699 (71) Applicant: COMMONWEALTH SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH ORGANISATION Campbell,ACT 2612 (AU)	(72) Inventor: TICKNER, James, Richard Erskineville, NSW 2043 (AU) (74) Representative: Brunner, Michael John et al GILL JENNINGS & EVERY,Broadgate House,7 Eldon Street London EC2M 7LH London EC2M 7LH (GB)