Research has discovered a number of new potential options for the use of fibre optic cables.

Work being carried out by Watford-based optical fibre company, Fiber Logix, has discovered that using small amounts of pgms such as palladium, platinum or rhodium can allow fibre optic cables to detect chemicals.

By etching a series of sensors along the walls of the cables, experts have been able to use them to measure temperature, pressure and strain, as well as for detecting the presence of a range of chemicals.

The pgms are used to impregnate an Interpenetrating Polymer Network (IPN), two of which are partially interlaced on the molecular scale, with the pgms making the cable chemically sensitive.

It is thought that the changes could help to revolutionise a number of industries, with factories and processing plants said to be likely to benefit from a cheaper and simpler way to measure factors such as pressure, temperature and strain.

The technology may also be able to be used in aircraft and the oil and gas industries to check for the presence of certain chemicals, while medical endoscopes may be another area to utilise this new knowledge.

Ÿ Adfero Ltd