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Roctest launches the world';s smallest piezometer for monitoring critical infrastructures

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^{Published in Science and Technology on Tuesday, December 7th 2010 at 5:05 GMT by Market Wire}  

ST-LAMBERT, QC, Dec. 7 /CNW/ - Roctest Ltd ("Roctest") (TSX: RTT), a leading designer and manufacturer of high-precision sensors, today announced the launch of the FOP-MicroPZ, the smallest fiber optic piezometer available in the market.  Piezometers measure pressure from pore-water or other fluids, and are deployed in tunnels, embankments, excavations, dams, water repository sites and many other civil engineering and industrial applications.

One of the main differentiators of the FOP-MicroPZ is its very small size. With a total diameter of only 4.8mm and a length of 54mm, the FOP-MicroPZ can be used where no other piezometers can go. This device can, for example, be installed in small-diameter standpipes or integrated into geotextiles. Moreover, the FOP-MicroPZ delivers similar or better performance than traditional piezometers.

This piezometer's design is based on non-contact deflection measurement of a miniature MOMS (Micro Optical Mechanical System) pressure sensor fabricated using photolithographic techniques derived from the semiconductor industry. The pressure transducer has a flexible diaphragm assembled on top of a sealed vacuum cavity and the pressure measurement is based on Fabry-Pérot white-light interferometry. Pressure creates a variation in the length of a Fabry-Pérot cavity consisting of the inner surface of the flexible diaphragm on one side and a reference optical surface attached to the lead optical fiber on the other side. The interrogation is made using field-proven and patented white-light interferometer modules already proven in other Roctest products. Since fiber optic readout units and dataloggers can consistently and accurately measure the cavity length under all conditions of temperature, EMI, humidity and vibration, the system delivers reliable pressure measurements in the most adverse conditions. The mechanical robustness is assured by the stainless protection sleeve and a porous stainless steel filter which protects the sensing element from solid particles, allowing the FOP-MicroPZ to sense only the fluid pressure to be measured.

The FOP-MicroPZ is available immediately, at prices comparable to traditional vibrating wire piezometers. The datasheet can be downloaded from Roctest's website at:

[ http://www.roctest-group.com/sites/default/files/datasheets/products/FOP-MicroPZ_E5160C-101127.pdf ]

About Roctest Ltd
Roctest designs, manufactures and markets sensors and high-precision measuring instruments for civil engineering and energy, healthcare and industrial control applications in the industrial sector. The Company is recognized for its leading-edge technology, the quality of its technical expertise and its product development capabilities for challenging and demanding environments. Its products are mainly sold internationally. The shares of the Company are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol RTT. To reach Roctest Ltd via the worldwide web please visit [ www.roctest.com ].

Caution concerning forward-looking statements
Except for historical information provided herein, this press release may contain information and statements of a forward looking nature concerning the future performance of the Company. These statements are based on suppositions and uncertainties as well as on management's best possible evaluation of future events, and as such involve a number of risk factors. Such factors may include, without excluding other considerations, risks related to foreign exchange fluctuations, evolution in customer demand for the Company's products and services, the impact of price pressure from competitors and general market trends, economic and geopolitical changes. As a result, readers are advised that actual results may differ from expected results. The Company is not required to update or revise publicly its forward-looking statements, except as may be required under applicable law.