Abstract
In this work the implementation of an optical fiber interferometric system for differential thermal analysis enabling the identification of chemical species is described. The system is based on a white light Mach-Zehnder configuration using pseudo-heterodyne demodulation to interrogate two identical fiber Bragg gratings (FBG) in a differential scheme. System performance is compared using either standard hardware or low cost virtual instrumentation for operation control and signal processing. The operation with the virtual system enabled temperature measurements with a +/-0.023 degrees C resolution nearly matching the performance of the standard hardware. The system ability to discriminate chemical species by differential thermal analysis was demonstrated. Mixed samples of acetone and methanol could be successfully identified, indicating the suitability of the system for high precision measurements using low cost instrumentation. (C) 2013 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4774054]

Abstract
A multimodal interferometer based on a new microstructured fiber tip is proposed for detection of the evaporation process of acetone. The new geometry consists of a capillary tube in which an offset Ge-doped core is fused and spliced at the end of a single-mode fiber. The fiber tip sensor structure was immersed in liquid acetone and the evaporation process of acetone was monitored in real time. Due to the refractive index variation of the external medium with increasing temperature, a short detection time of similar to 1 s was achieved. (C) 2014 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)

Abstract
A magneto-optical current sensor, based on a low birefringence SF57 glass prism, using a dual quadrature polarimetric configuration was implemented and tested aiming its application in high voltage power lines. Sensor operation is characterized and compared using distinct Super Luminescent Diodes as optical sources, with emission at 650 nm, 830 nm and 1550 nm. Calibration and resolution are obtained in the different operating conditions using a DAQ board and full digital control for signal acquisition and processing. In particular, the sensor was tested in the range from 0 to 1 kA at 50 Hz. Also, operation at different frequencies from 50 Hz to 400 Hz was compared. A robust casing was fabricated in Nylon material enabling the portability of the sensor and its application in different types of conductors. Preliminary results indicate the feasibility of using the sensor both for metering and protection applications in high-power lines with interrogation via the OPGW cable.

Abstract
Despite the socio-economic importance of mining in Douro Coalfield, the coal exploitation and utilization originated impacts on the environment. From these stands out the S. Pedro da Cova waste pile which is self-burning since 2005. The potential environmental impacts associated with this coal waste pile include: air pollution caused by the gaseous emissions and dispersion of solid particles; pollution of soils, surface and groundwater caused by mobilization of solid particles, leaching of hazardous elements, dissolution of neoformed and deposition of solid particles; landslides and mass movements also caused the weathering agents, and deterioration of vegetation that may also be due to the acid drainage. The main objective of this work is the combustion temperature monitoring in S. Pedro da Cova waste pile using the infrared thermography technique. The acquired results during the temperature monitoring campaigns allow the study of the dynamics and evolutionary scenarios of the self-burning process in the coal waste pile, contributing to a precise definition of the risks to the environment and human health. © 2014, LNEG – Laboratório Nacional de Geologia e Energia IP.

Abstract
A magneto-optical sensor, using a dual quadrature polarimetric processing scheme, was evaluated for current metering and protection applications in high voltage lines. Sensor calibration and resolution were obtained in different operational conditions using illumination in the 1550-nm band. Results obtained indicated the feasibility of interrogating such sensor via the optical ground wire (OPGW) link installed in standard high power grids. The polarimetric bulk optical current sensor also was theoretically studied, and the effects of different sources of error considering practical deployment were evaluated. In particular, the interference from external magnetic fields in a tree-phase system was analyzed. © 2012 The Author(s).

Abstract
In this paper three highly birefringent (HiBi) spun photonic crystal fibers (PCF) are fabricated and their performance are characterized for electrical current measurement. These fibers are tested by coiling them around an electric conductor using three distinct winding diameters with different turns. The results present a very good linear relation with the current and its sensitivity depends on the winding diameter and on the number of turns. For the larger winding diameter, the fiber with lower circular pitch had higher sensitivity and for the smaller winding diameter the best sensitivity result was for the fiber with higher circular pitch.