TAU physicist's 'infrared fibers' can defend water supplies from chemoterrorism

A Tel Aviv University physicist has developed a system to monitor the safety of a building's or community's water supply in real time, which could combat the threat of contamination due to industrial spillage, natural disaster or sabotage.

Although most people take the safety of their drinking water for granted, ordinary tap water could become deadly within minutes, says Prof. Abraham Katzir of Tel Aviv University's School of Physics and Astronomy.

Modifying special fibers developed in his lab, Katzir can detect "colors" in the infrared spectrum that distinguish between pure and contaminated water. Connected to a commercial infrared spectrometer, the fibers serve as sensors that can detect and notify authorities immediately if a contaminant has entered a water reservoir, system, building or pipeline.

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Source: article @ TJP, Photo: Courtesy