Strathclyde: Optical pressure and temperature sensor for improved oil recovery

Licensing opportunity | Development opportunity

Researchers from the Department of Physics at Strathclyde University in Scotland, UK, are looking to license an accurate and cost-effective combined optical pressure and temperature sensor that can withstand higher temperatures and pressures than conventional sensors.

Recovery of oil from high-pressure downhole environments is often hindered by the contamination of spectral patterns of conventional sensors, making them less accurate interrogation systems. The combined optical pressure and temperature sensor technology can detect oil and optimise its recovery from unmanageable deep oil wells where temperatures and pressures are elevated.

The technology can be applied to oil and gas production, be used in high-temperature processing plants, geothermal power plants as well as for engine monitoring in the automotive and aerospace industries.

This technology is protected by a patent application filed by the University of Strathclyde. Contact is welcomed from organisations interested in developing, licensing or exploiting this technology.