US Patent 8218930 - Nanotube coated optical fiber

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8218930.html

Fiber optic technology is critical to operations in spacecraft such as the International Space Station and in military aircraft and submarines. Cracks or fatigue in the optical fiber can lead to catastrophic failure in these systems. This patent teaches using a carbon nanotube coating as a hermetic seal against moisture to increase the reliability of optical fibers. Claim 1 reads:

1. An optical fiber assembly comprising:

an optical fiber; and

a film surrounding the optical fiber, the film comprising a nanomaterial,

wherein the film is a nanocomposite film comprising the nanomaterial, and wherein the nanomaterial comprises a carbon nanotube material.