Simplifying sensing systems with optical technology
Novel optical telemetry system developed by NSW based start-up Zedelef transforms conventional sensing systems by converting sensors' electrical output into optical signals with no requirement of an external power source.
The System consists of optical transducers, an interrogation unit, and optical networks that connect multiple transducers with the interrogation unit.
CTO and one of the three founders of Zedelef, Mr Zourab Brodzeli, said the technology has a wide range of applications including mine monitoring, oil and gas systems monitoring, underwater sound detection, national security and power distribution.
"Electrical connections are very dangerous in coal mines," said Mr Brodzeli. "We deploy sensors in mines that are intrinsically safe and need no electrical connection.”
"Our technology allows for real-time monitoring of the environmental conditions inside mines such as airflow, dust, barometric pressure, temperature, humidity levels and can detect gases such as oxygen and CO2.”
The optical transducer enables almost any standard sensor such as flow meters, pressure meter, gas and dust detectors to be read and multiplexed optically over long distances and large areas.
"We can have up to 12 cords and each cord can connect to 80 sensors," said Mr Brodzelli.
"Compared to other optical technologies, our technology is very easy to manufacture, it's robust, and our transducers work even two kilometres underwater," said Mr Brodzelli.
In a world's first, Zedelef's ocean monitoring technology was trialled for smart leak detection in large water distribution networks as part of NSW Smart Sensing Network (NSSN) $3.4 million project with Sydney Water.
"We know that leaks make whistling sounds," said Mr Brodzeli. "So as soon as the whistling starts, we know there is a leak, and our technology helps to determine this almost in real-time.”
The NSSN Advanced Sensing to Reduce Leaks & Breaks project brings together five leading research universities in NSW and the ACT with key water utilities in five sub-projects to utilise smart sensing for condition assessment and leak detection.
Mr Brodzeli said through collaboration with NSSN, Zedelef has entered the water management sector in which its technology can make a big difference.
Zedelef’s mission is to become a leading supplier of optical sensing network technologies for industrial applications.
To learn more about Zedelef, please click here.
To learn more about NSSN capabilities in advanced water management, please get in touch with us here.
Media: Shahrzad Abbasi - 0466 548 145