Valde provides harsh-environment, all-metal IMT "SMA" connectors for many industrial and medical fiber optic applications. These all-metal connectors contain no epoxy or index matching gel. They dissipate heat uniformly preventing hot spots common to other SMA connectors. The really exciting opportunity here is that Valde’s patented IMT all-metal connectors are the only connectors that can function in certain harsh conditions of heat, pressure, and chemical environments. Valde started working with a major oil drilling and field service company in early 2007 to design an IMT connector for connecting sensors to monitor down-hole drilling conditions. The research for this project was funded by the oil and gas service company. Test results for these connectors have been successfully completed and a sea trial is now scheduled. It is expected that the final design will be completed and introduced at the May 2009 Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, TX, with commercial production expected to follow shortly thereafter.