Why use fibre optic probes for temperature measurement🌡️

When you find that conventional temperature sensors based on resistors or capacitors, or simple wire-based sensors such as thermocouples, just won’t operate properly in a challenging environment, look instead to the multiple benefits provided by fibre optic temperature probes.

Fully dielectric construction of the sensor and its attached fibre optic cable gives immunity to the effects of EMI/RFI, allowing use in high voltage environments, magnetic resonance imaging systems and high magnetic fields.  The material construction further allows use in radiation, high vacuum and explosive areas, and the physical dimensions typical of fibre optics allows the probe to be treated essentially as an electrical cable, routed along complex pathways and along conduits, but without any of the disadvantages of inaccuracies due to the influence of electromagnetic fields.

One main growth area for fibre optic temperature probes has been in the automotive segment, involving test and development of electric vehicles (EV) including the motors, charging stations and batteries.  Faster and accurate temperature measurement is necessary at each stage of EV product development, at both individual component level for identifying performance limits and temperature behavior of individual components, and for fully assembled vehicles to ensure the overall performance and safety.

High voltage connections and operations within the vehicle bring challenges in terms of safety, limited access and electromagnetic noise issues during testing and measurements. Fibre optic based temperature probes are becoming more popular in testing electric and hybrid vehicles due to their immunity to electromagnetic fields, ruggedness, small size, fast response, high accuracy and intrinsic safety of operation.

Our partner Rugged Monitoring has extensive involvement in this application area.  [https://www.ruggedmonitoring.com/solutions-details/fiber-optic-temperature-sensors-in-electric-vehicle-temperature-testing/5c9c5fb493c0cc0001d3d7b5 ]. If your temperature instrumentation in EV development and testing is revealing the limitations of conventional sensor technology, ask us how fibre optic temperature probes will solve these issues and provide methods of temperature measurement that can’t be made in any other way.

Elliot Scientific Christmas Closure

Here some important dates so you can keep on top of your orders before Christmas.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our partners and customers for their continued support and wish you all a great Christmas break and a happy New Year for 2023.

 

Elliot Scientific closed on Monday 19th September 2022.

Elliot Scientific are deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth (II). As a mark of respect we will be closed on Monday 19^th September and no emails or telephone calls will be answered that day.

We wish his Majesty King Charles (III) the very best for his new role as the nations sovereign and extend our deepest sympathies to the Royal Family

Instruments for Energy Storage

Energy storage and energy conversion devices are both used to fill the need for portable as well as renewable power. The evolving needs require the improvement in capability to provide pulse-power, long run-time and cycle life. New materials and advancements of engineering play a key role in meeting the market demand.

Li-ion batteries are today’s leading technology in this space. Cyclic voltammetry is used in the development of the material and identification of its potential window (charge cut-off voltage and discharge cut-off voltage), and is also the primary technique in identification of new electrolytes. The BNC connections of both the Solartron Analytical EnergyLab and Princeton Applied Research potentiostats provide an interface common for the glovebox feedthroughs often needed for this type of research.

As the goal of a rechargeable battery is to provide high cycle-life, high efficiency, and high energy density, prospective new materials are combined into a complete cell and tested in a charge – discharge experiment to determine the capacity vs cycle number, cycle-life and Coulombic efficiency. Battery holders for PARSTAT and VersaSTAT potentiostats allow for direct connection of common battery formats to the instrument.  Direct connection through a battery holder avoids the added stray capacitance and inductance to impedance measurements, and creates a cleaner signal and a cleaner lab.

The use of auxiliary voltage measurements allows monitoring of both the anode and cathode of a battery. Standard potentiostat design concentrates on the signal and response at the Working Electrode, and the Counter Electrode reactions are not characterized. Other applications use an inert Counter Electrode, but in battery technology this is an active electrode. Being able to characterize this terminal allows users to identify failure mechanisms and properly focus research initiatives. This is available on the PARSTAT 3000A and EnergyLab products for single cell evaluation and PARSTAT MC for multichannel, simultaneous tests for improved throughput.

The typically flat-voltage profile, seen as a key advantage of Li-technology, drives the need for advanced techniques to determine State of Charge.  Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) is the emerging method for making these determinations in-situ.  EIS is also used to determine how the battery is functioning with respect to its anticipated lifetime (State of Health). The full range of products from Princeton Applied Research and Solartron Analytical provide these measurement capabilities either as standard or as options. EIS also provides a mechanism via equivalent circuit analysis or simple visual reference to identify the Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR) of a battery. This is a key figure of merit as it represents a loss of the system. The EnergyLab EIS methods, including its innovative FRA-technology and oversampling, allows for characterization of devices of micro-ohm impedance.

For extreme applications that require greater than 5 V or 2 A of current, batteries can be configured in stacks. Since stacks are purposefully designed for operation at high voltages (up to 100 V) or high currents (up to 100 A), external boosters are required.  External boosters are available in a wide range of measurement capacities, bandwidth and accuracy to meet a given testing profile. The PMC-2000A and PARSTAT3000A provide the voltage range to test a stack of batteries as well as the standard, additional electrometer to measure the characteristics (including impedance) of a single battery within the stack.  The EnergyLab provides multiple electrometers to study even more cells within the stack.

Whatever your requirements in state-of-the-art energy storage and energy conversion applications, AMETEK’s Princeton Applied Research and Solartron Analytical advanced instrumentation provides the tools for market leading impedance analysis, with the widest voltage and current ranges available for anode/cathode and stack testing.

The Five F’s of Eyewear

Specifications of the Laser and conditions of use

Consult your laser’s manufacturer’s guide for eyewear requirements.

Calculate OD and power density requirements based on wavelength, power in watts (or for pulsed systems, using wavelength, power in joules, pulse length in seconds and pulse repetition rate in hertz), using laser safety software such as Lazan, LaserSafePC, Easy Haz or the LIA’s Laser Hazard Evaluator Software.

Consider: Are there engineering controls limiting exposure to the beam? Is partial beam visibility required for alignment of visible beams? Is protection required for intra-beam exposure or is protection primarily for diffuse or scattered energy? For medical applications, are there different eyewear considerations for the Clinician and patient (in terms of VLT-visible light transmittance, full orbital coverage, weight of eyewear)? Will filter colour / colour rendition affect use? Are there multiple laser systems in the area, or is the eyewear designated for a single system?

Consult laser safety eyewear manufacture.

Filter — OD, damage threshold and Visible Light Transmittance (VLT) requirements

Make sure the filter will reduce possible energy exposure to below the Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE).

Check the Photopic Visible Light Transmittance (VLT) of the filter. VLT is the percentage of visible light transmitted through a filter, calculated against the spectral sensitivity of the eye to daylight. The higher the better. VLTs below 20% should be used in well-illuminated working environments.

Consider Absorptive or Interference filters-Absorptive filters may be polymer + dye based or glass, and function by absorbing laser energy. Interference filters employ thin layers of reflective material for protection. Hybrids combine both technologies.

Lightweight polymer filters offer varying VLTs and mid-level damage thresholds for UV, Visible and near IR, with lower damage thresholds for IR.

Polymer filters are cost effective, easy to wear and offer the highest impact resistance, while heavier glass filters can offer higher VLTs and higher damage thresholds at higher expense, and dielectrically coated and hybrids offer the highest VLTs, highest damage thresholds (in that some energy is not absorbed but reflected), at the highest cost.

Frame — Style and mode of wearing

Rule #1: if the glasses are uncomfortable, users will be tempted to not wear them.

Rule #2: Vanity rules, even in the lab. Users will wear what they like.

Many frames are designed to fit-over prescription glasses. Some are universal, fitting well for those who do and those who do not wear prescription glasses.

Ensure that the selected frame is face-forming, well-fitting with no gaps. Models with sideshields increase ambient light, cut down on obstructed viewing and decrease the non-beam hazard of walking into a door.

Polymer filters are available in the most variety of frames, often with the widest field of view and full angular coverage.

Fit — adjustability, comfort, vanity

Repeat of Rule #1: If the goggles don’t fit, users won’t wear them.

Repeat of Rule #2: Users won’t wear what doesn’t fit well or what they don’t like.

Factors — additional considerations

Eye protection is only effective when worn-It’s of no use if it’s sitting on the shelf.

If eye protection is too heavy, poorly fitted, poorly designed or the VLT is too low, users will make the wrong choice: not to wear it.

Risk assessment must be part of the equation, use engineering controls to reduce the risk.

Filter technical data, including batch data, absorption characteristics, test reports, CE certificates and documentation of conformity should be available upon request or online.

Consider the source. You only get two eyes.

Risk assessment if you would like to find out more, click the link below.

Noir Laser

OX1 handheld meter

What’s an optical fibre multimeter (OFM)?

An OFM is an essential handheld tool for optical technicians, comparable to multimeters used by electrical technicians. OFMs quickly measure multiple key optical parameters such as loss (dB), optical return loss (dB), length (meters) and power (dBm).

The OX1 from EXFO empowers frontline technicians to perform link verification and automated fault tracking in seconds and troubleshoot potential issues.

• Displays fibre link KPIs (length, loss, ORL and power) in under 3 seconds, through single-ended testing
  
• On-the-spot detection and location of common causes of failures using EXFO’s patent-pending Fault Explorer
  
• Intelligent device: – No settings required – Contextual wavelength auto-selection – Built-in expertise to interpret link KPIs with patent-pending EXFO Advisor (5-star ranking system) – Diagnosis with suggested corrective actions
  
• Built-in light source and power checker (dual-band available)
  
• Save on cost of ownership: lifetime calibration, no factory returns thanks to the patent-pending
  Click-Out optical connector
  
• Rechargeable battery for over 10 hours of use on a single charge

The OX1 is a simple-to-use test tool. The intuitive design requires minimal training to use so frontline field techs can get straight into tests no matter their experience level or testing background.

INSTALLATION, MAINTENANCE OR PRO VERSION—FIND YOUR FIT Optical Explorer is available in Installation (I-1310/1550 nm), Maintenance (M-filtered 1650 nm) or Maintenance & Installation a (MI-1310/1550/filtered 1650 nm) configurations. Boost efficiency and lower total cost of ownership with the PRO version.

Go Spectro

Turn Your Smartphone into a Spectrometer

The GoyaLab GoSpectro is a device that turns any smartphone or tablet into an ultracompact and powerful handheld spectrometer.  This tool enables spectral analysis of light sources, optical filters and various coloured objects by measuring emission, absorption, reflection and transmission spectra with unmatched compactness and ease of use.  It is the ideal companion for light characterization in the field or in the lab.

GoSpectro is sensitive over the entire visible range (400 nm – 750 nm) with a spectral resolution of less than 10 nm (camera dependent) and a reproducibility of 1 nm.  This revolutionary device allows the spectral characterization of light sources as well as measured spectra in emission, transmission or reflection, with unparalleled compactness.

GoSpectro takes advantage of the camera in the smartphone or tablet, and is easily calibrated by the user in a few seconds with any compact fluorescent light bulb or fluorescent tube.  An optical fibre adaptor is available for the GoSpectro to increase usability in certain applications.

The main screen (shown above) of the mobile app (iOS and Android) provides access to functions for autoscaling the spectrum on the vertical axis, correcting the baseline, saving the spectrum, subtracting a reference spectrum and finding the highest intensity peak.

In this post, we demonstrate how the GoSpectro can be used as a measurement tool for lighting and filters identification applications. 

Example: GoSpectro as a Measurement Tool for Lighting

The advent of LEDs has been a game-changer for the lighting industry.  Indeed, LEDs have already deeply penetrated the automotive and indoor lighting sector and are spreading across various outdoor lighting applications for highways, roadways, bridges and tunnels.  This paradigm shift calls for new tools for the characterization of such light sources.

GoSpectro has been tested on various lamps (LED, halogen, compact fluorescent, etc.) and on optical filters.  The measured spectra can be used to determine the Correlated Colour Temperature (CCT) of light sources and the transmission curve of optical filters.

In this example, GoSpectro was used to measure the emission spectrum of different types of light sources.  These emission spectra are very specific and we can use them to clearly identify the type of lamp under investigation, even at a far distance. This is particularly useful for the maintenance of street and roadway lighting.

We carried out the tests on halogen lamp and a “cool” LED to try and determine their Correlated Colour Temperature (CCT). Using the intensity calibration function available on the GoSpectro application we acquired spectra.  Then, from the measured spectra we calculated the CCT:

The calculated CCTs are in good agreement with the theoretical values and the spectra show the typical features expected from a halogen lamp (black body) and from an LED light source.

TECH TALK-WEBINAR

EXFO AND Elliot Scientific are beginning the new year by hosting a tech talk webinar on January 12th, 2021 focussing on testing and alignment of fibre-optics and delivery in photonics research.

Key topics :

• Addressing today’s challenges in testing PIC-related optical components
• Importance of test automation for ensuring photonics quality in R&D
• Optimize and future-proof your investment for photonics characterization in the lab
• Scaling up capabilities with comprehensive solutions that are modular and reliable

to register and join click

Christmas Office Close

Elliot Scientific will be closed for the Christmas break from the 24th December until January 4th, 2021

During this time we will not be able to process any orders or shipments.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our partners and customers for their continued support and wish you all a great Christmas break and a happy new Year for 2021

Opening/ Operational hours :

• Elliot Scientific is closed during the Christmas break from 24^th December 2020 – reopening on 4^th January.
• Last shipping dates for Overseas/ Universities will be 15/16^th December 2020
• Last shipping for commercial companies will be 18^th December 2020.

Last deliveries received at ESL office 22^nd December 2020.

ESL – Summer Break Closure

Dear Customers,

Elliot Scientific be closing the office for a short summer break from August Monday 10th- Friday 14th

We have taken this decision to enable our staff who have been working constantly through the CV-19 pandemic period to have some well deserved rest and time to de-stress. During that week, the office will be closed and we will not be able to dispatch any goods or to process any PO’s (or web orders) –  emails will be answered only intermittently during this period.

Orders and emails will be processed and answered as soon as we return back to the office on the 17th August.

Best Regards

The Elliot Scientific Management Tea

May Update – COVID-19 Elliot Scientific Ltd

COVID-19 update  –

The Team at Elliot Scientific are continuing to support our partners and customers through this challenging time. For the safety of staff we are still running remote working for many members of staff- but have a physical presence  at the office to maintain those aspects of the business which require this presence. Deliveries and shipping continue as before and in most cases we can continue to provide continuity of supply at the same pre-CV19 level.

We will continue to monitor the situation and update any changes on our website.

Email and Phone enquiries are answered by our remote working team members and a range of remote services (web video/ support)  to support our customers continue to be available as before.

If there is any way we can assist or support you during these challenging times please contact us and we will look at how best to assist you.

 

The Elliot Scientific Management Team

COVID-19 update Elliot Scientific Ltd

Just an update to let all of our customers and clients know that the team here at Elliot Scientific are all well and still supporting business. The office is running a skeleton staff to provide protection to our employees but enable shipments and deliveries to be processed. The majority of the team are working remotely. During this remote activity- communication is best achieved through email  to :

 

 

• sales@elliotscientific.com        or alternatively
• The main telephone line is being answered and on occasion will divert to our mobile App users to answer
• Direct dial extensions should automatically direct to the users company mobile.
• Direct emails to individual staff members are being picked up by them from their home offices.

We hope that the measures that we have put in place enable us to provide support and continuity to the supply chain for all of our customers.

Regards,

the Elliot Scientific Management Team