Distributed sensor for water and pH measurements using fiber optics and swellable polymeric systems

Area of Science:

• Chemical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Sensor Technology

Background:

• Distributed sensing offers advantages for monitoring chemical parameters over large areas.
• Traditional sensors often lack the flexibility for widespread, in-situ measurements.
• Chemically sensitive hydrogels provide a responsive matrix for detecting specific analytes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and test a generic sensor platform for distributed chemical measurements.
• To integrate optical time-domain reflectometry with hydrogel technology.
• To demonstrate adaptability for detecting both water and pH.

Main Methods:

• Designed and constructed a sensor system utilizing optical time-domain reflectometry (OTDR).
• Employed water-swellable polymers (hydrogels) functionalized for chemical sensitivity.
• Conducted experiments to validate distributed water detection capabilities.
• Developed hydrogel formulations for distributed pH measurement adaptation.

Main Results:

• Successfully demonstrated a distributed water detection sensor.
• Validated the principle of using OTDR with hydrogels for distributed sensing.
• Developed hydrogels showing potential for distributed pH monitoring.
• Confirmed the generic nature of the sensor platform for various chemical parameters.

Conclusions:

• The developed sensor system offers a versatile platform for distributed chemical sensing.
• Integration of OTDR and hydrogels enables robust, large-scale chemical monitoring.
• The technology is readily adaptable for detecting multiple chemical species, including pH.