Putting photonics in sewers

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Putting photonics in sewers. This project aims to develop a photonic sensor capability to measure chemical compounds that cause concrete corrosion in waste-water pipes. Sustainable management of urban waste-water networks is a global problem. Hydrogen sulphide and water in air pockets cause concrete attack that results in premature pipe failure with high financial, public health and environmental costs. Unlike current qualitative methods, which rely on often dangerous visual inspection of pipes to identify concrete corrosion, this project will develop a quantitative sensing system that directly measures key chemicals, targeting the cause and not the effect. This research is expected to extend the life of waste-water networks and reduce cost to the public.