Fiber optic moisture sensor

A fiber optic moisture sensor comprising:

• a sensor head having a self-supporting superabsorbent polymer therein;
• a means for transmitting light to and from said sensor head, said means for transmitting light adjoined to said sensor head, said sensor head being in direct optical communication with said means for transmitting light;
• and
• at least one light detector in optical communication with said means for transmitting light, said self-supporting superabsorbent polymer being optically non-transparent and wherein said sensor head further comprises a gradient index lens centrally located between and adjoined to said optically non-transparent self-supporting superabsorbent polymer and to said means for transmitting light such that said gradient index lens is in direct optical communication with said sensor head and said means for transmitting light.

A fiber optic moisture sensor comprising:

• a sensor head having a self-supporting superabsorbent polymer therein;
• a means for transmitting light to and from said sensor head, said means for transmitting light adjoined to said sensor head, said sensor head being in direct optical communication with said means for transmitting light;
• and
• at least one light detector in optical communication with said means for transmitting light,
• wherein said sensor head further comprises a first gradient index lens having first and second ends and a second gradient index lens having first and second ends, said self-supporting superabsorbent polymer being centrally located between and adjoined to said first end of said first gradient index lens and said first end of said second gradient index lens, and said second end of said first gradient index lens and said second end of said second gradient index lens adjoined to said means for transmitting light such that said first gradient index lens and said second gradient index lens are in direct optical communication with said self-supporting superabsorbent polymer and said means for transmitting light.

A fiber optic moisture sensor comprising:

• a sensor head having a self-supporting superabsorbent polymer therein;
• a means for transmitting light to and from said sensor head, said means for transmitting light adjoined to said sensor head, said sensor head being in direct optical communication with said means for transmitting light;
• and
• at least one light detector in optical communication with said means for transmitting light,
• wherein said sensor head further comprises a gradient index lens and a reflective mirror such that said self-supporting superabsorbent polymer is centrally located between and adjoined to said gradient index lens and said reflective mirror such that said gradient index lens is in direct optical communication with said means for transmitting light and said self-supporting superabsorbent polymer, said reflective mirror facing inwardly toward said self-supporting superabsorbent polymer thereby directing light back through said superabsorbent polymer and said gradient index lens to said means for transmitting light.

A fiber optic moisture sensor comprising:

• a sensor head having an optically transparent self-supporting superabsorbent polymer fiber disposed in said sensor head;
• a means for transmitting light to and from said sensor head, said means for transmitting light being in direct optical communication with said sensor head;
• and
• at least one light detector in optical communication with said means for transmitting light, said self supporting superabsorbent polymer fiber supporting itself and said sensor head being devoid of any further support means.

A method of making a fiber optic moisture sensor comprising the steps of:

• synthesizing a self-supporting superabsorbent polymer;
• casting a sensor head from said optically transparent superabsorbent polymer;
• adjoining said sensor head to a means for transmitting light to and from said sensor head such that said sensor head is in direct optical communication with said means for transmitting light;
• and
• optically connecting a light detector to said means for transmitting light,
• said self supporting superabsorbent polymer supporting itself and said sensor head being devoid of any further support means.