Ida Marie Pedersen
Mar 18, 2025
What is Magnetic Induction Spectroscopy?
Ever wished you could "see through" objects without touching them? Imagine if you could tell what's inside a package, or even peek at what's going on inside your body, all without cutting, poking, or x-rays. Well, that's exactly what a super cool technology called Magnetic Induction Spectroscopy (MIS) helps us do!
Magnetic Induction Spectroscopy (MIS) is an advanced sensing technology used to detect and analyze materials based on how they respond to magnetic fields. Unlike traditional sensors, MIS can identify materials through barriers (like plastic or clothing) and works without direct contact, making it ideal for non-invasive, real-time detection. The core principle involves sending alternating magnetic fields into a target area and measuring the induced electromagnetic response. Different materials produce unique responses, allowing MIS to distinguish between metals, liquids, and biological substances with high precision. This technology is especially valuable in sectors like security screening, medical diagnostics, and waste management, where accuracy, speed, and safety are crucial.
Think of it like this: everything around us reacts in a unique way when you put a magnetic field near it. Metals, liquids, even your own body, all have slightly different "magnetic personalities." MIS uses this idea to identify things.
MIS (Magnetic Induction Spectroscopy) eliminates the drawbacks of X-Ray and Computer Vision
Computer vision is widely used in waste sorting, but it can only scan an object’s surface. This limitation leads to high false-positive rates, as items like mobile phones or toys might be flagged for battery removal, even when they don’t contain one. X-ray transmission (XRT) provides better internal detection, reducing false positives, but it comes at a cost. X-ray technology emits ionizing radiation, which poses long-term health risks to workers in waste facilities. Additionally, X-ray machines are expensive, making them a less viable option for large-scale implementation. MIS technology, on the other hand, overcomes these challenges by using electromagnetic spectroscopy to detect materials based on their conductivity and permeability, ensuring accurate identification without the risks associated with X-ray.
Unlike X-ray or CV systems that focus solely on material identification, MIS technology integrates multiple data points across the entire waste management lifecycle. By leveraging machine learning classification, MIS can identify and categorize hazardous materials in real-time, improving sorting efficiency. This strategic integration reduces manual labor, automates decision-making, and enhances compliance with environmental regulations. Moreover, MIS technology can adapt to various facility sizes and waste types, offering a scalable solution for modern waste management needs.
Cost Optimization and Predictive Analytics
Operational costs are a major concern for waste management facilities. MIS technology provides a cost-effective alternative by optimizing resource allocation, reducing inefficiencies, and cutting down waste-processing expenses by 15-30%. Through predictive analytics, it enables facilities to forecast waste volumes, ensuring proactive adjustments to staffing and processing capacity. Unlike stand alone X-ray or computer vision systems, which provide limited real-time data, MIS generates actionable insights, helping facilities meet sustainability goals while improving their bottom line.
Litech`s MIS technology in waste management
At Litech, we are revolutionizing waste management through cutting-edge sensor technology designed to detect hazardous materials before they pose a threat. Our AI-powered sensor box, installed under conveyor belts in sorting facilities, leverages electromagnetic spectroscopy to identify and flag potentially dangerous objects such as lithium batteries and gas containers. Unlike traditional waste-sorting methods, which rely on X-ray and computer vision, our unique Magnetic Induction Spectroscopy (MIS) system enables non-contact, highly accurate detection without the risks of radiation exposure or surface-level misidentifications.
We are the only company in the waste management industry to develop this kind of technology. Our innovative approach is setting a new standard for safety and efficiency, offering a smarter, data-driven solution to an industry plagued by increasing fire hazards, costly inefficiencies, and environmental risks. Our goal is not just to improve sorting accuracy but to fundamentally transform how waste facilities operate, ensuring a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable future.
(Litech sensor illustration, made by Coleen Castillo)
Why focus on Litech?
Waste management is at a turning point. The improper disposal of hazardous materials, particularly flammable batteries and nitrous oxide tanks, has led to a rise in fires, explosions, and environmental contamination. Many existing detection systems are outdated, inefficient, or impractical at scale. At Litech, we believe that the future of waste management must be proactive, not reactive.
Safer Work Environments: By using MIS technology and AI for precise detection, we help facilities detect flammable materials before they can cause harm. This precise, non-invasive detection significantly reduces the risk of fires and explosions, protecting workers and infrastructure at waste facilities.
Smarter Detection: Our intelligent system doesn’t just detect—it evolves. Using machine learning, Litech’s detectors continuously improve over time, increasing accuracy and adapting to new materials in the waste stream. This means better results today—and even better results tomorrow.
Sustainability and Compliance: We assist waste facilities in meeting strict environmental regulations by ensuring proper hazardous waste removal.
Flexible setup: Unlike narrow, single-purpose solutions, Litech’s technology is designed for long-term and flexible integration. Whether you operate a local transfer station or a large-scale sorting plant, our modular technology fits seamlessly into your existing infrastructure—without disrupting operations.
Our pilot projects: Advancing the future of waste management
As we continue developing our technology, we are actively working to expand our MIS system to detect flammable batteries, one of the biggest contributors to fires in waste facilities. Currently, we are running two pilot projects in Oslo to test and refine our solution:
These pilots are critical steps toward a safer, smarter, and more sustainable waste industry. As we further develop our MIS technology, we are committed to creating a comprehensive solution that detects both metallic objects and hazardous batteries, ensuring a more secure waste management process.
Take a look at our pilot project from Oslo municipality!
At Litech, we’re not just developing a product — we’re pioneering the future of intelligent waste management.
Our cutting-edge sensor technology and data-driven solutions are engineered to solve real-world challenges, enhancing operational efficiency, improving site safety, and supporting a more sustainable and automated waste handling process. We empower the industry with the next generation of smart infrastructure, built for precision, reliability, and scalable growth.
If you are interested in learning more about our technology or partnering with us, please get in touch!