Researchers Produced Optical Fiber from Seaweed Gel

At the University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in Brazil, a optical fiber produced. This; It is edible, biocompatible and biodegradable. It can also be used in body structure imaging, local light delivery in phototherapy or optogenetics, and regional drug delivery.

Another possible usage area is detection of microorganisms in certain organs. In this way of use, the drill can be completely absorbed by the body after fulfilling its function.

optical fiber

Agar, also known as agar agar, used for the production of optical fibers, is a substance obtained from seaweed. natural gelatin. Components; It consists of a mixture of two polysaccharides, agarose and 'agaropectin'. Eric Fujiwara, who leads the project, said the following on the subject:

“Our optical fiber is an agar cylinder with an external 2.5mm diameter and six 0.5mm air holes around its solid core. agar core "The light is limited due to the difference between the refractions in the index and the air holes."

Fujiwara explains how the fiber is created as follows: "To create the fiber, we molded food-grade agar with 6 internal rods arranged longitudinally around six major axes. The gel distributed itself to fill the appropriate spaces. After cooling, the rods were removed from the air holes. The solidified waveguide was released from the mold. The refractive index and geometry of the fiber were agar solution and could be adapted by varying the components of the mold design.”

The researchers tested the fiber in different environments, from air and water to ethanol and acetone, and context sensitive He concluded that it was. Another promising application area is its simultaneous use as an optical sensor and a growth medium for microorganisms. Fujiwara, “In this case, the waveguide can be designed as a soluble sample unit containing the necessary nutrients.” he said.