Projects / Programmes
Multi-parameter fiber optic sensors
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.15.01 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Metrology |
Sensors and data acquisition |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| P180 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Metrology, physical instrumentation |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.02 |
Engineering and Technology |
Electrical engineering, Electronic engineering, Information engineering |
sensors, multi-parameter sensor, optical fiber sensors, optical fibers, micromachining
Researchers (13)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
The proposed project is aimed at researching and investigating the possibilities for designing and manufacturing miniature, all-silica, fiber-optic sensors for the simultaneous sensing of multiple parameters. The proposed sensors will be created at optical fibers’ tips and would be suitable for the measurements of at least two, but preferably three or more parameters. Sensors capable of the simultaneous measurements of temperature, refractive index, strain, fluid parameters (pressure, flow, thermal conductivity) and other parameters will be investigated, in detail. A typical proposed multiparameter sensor’s diameter would not exceed the diameter of a standard optical fiber, e.g. 125 µm, and would have a length in a sub-millimeter range. The proposed miniature design would make these sensors suitable for use within various micro-fluidic, micro-mechanical, bio-medical, and similar systems. The all-silica design would make the proposed multi-parameter sensors suitable for use in harsh environments (for example in high-temperatures, chemically aggressive or other extreme environments).
The proposed sensor’s design and manufacturing will take advantage of a fiber micromachining process based on the selective etching of doped silica glass, which can be used to reform short sections of optical fibers into complex photonic structures. Special sensor forming fibers will thus be designed to allow for the creation of suitable sensor structures at the tip of an optical fiber. Since optical fibers can be produced very economically in large lengths, and since the required lengths to build individual sensors or signal processors are very short, we expect to create a new class of cost-effective sensing solutions, thus allowing for better penetrations of novel fiber-sensing technologies into a variety of traditional and emerging sensing-applications.
In parallel with this sensor research and design, appropriate signal processing methods will be investigated in order to provide complete and cost effective sensing solutions.
Significance for science
Research and development of new sensors and novel specialty optical fibers led to the creation of new and applied knowledge enabling original approaches in the design of fiber optic sensors for multi-parameter sensing. Suggested solutions constitute the base for development of a new generation of optical fibers sensors with a completely new set of sensing capabilities, presenting an important contribution in the fields of Measurement Science, Photonics and other scientific fields like Micro-fluidics, Biomedicine, security systems and other technical fields that use and rely upon fiber optic sensing technologies. Investigation and research led to the development of new concepts for sensing of fluido-mechanic parameters. The proposed concepts are original in their design, as well as in practical usability, which enable direct application of research results in practical applications. The results of this research work were presented in prominent scientific journals and publications. The partners dedicated particular importance to the research leading to creation of new, and also directly applicable, scientific concepts. Fabrication of technology demonstrators and prototypes during project duration led directly to practical industrial products and applications. The research work was focused on cooperation among local and global industrial partners with the aim of assuring better cooperation of the scientific sphere with the business sector.
Significance for the country
In the narrower perspective of the local business environment, the project contributed to the development of the industrial partner involved in the project, as well as other industrial partners that cooperate with members of the project group. The developed prototypes are convertible into industrial products with suitable after-project development. The participating industrial partner gained the possibility for commercialization of new products , mainly specialty optical fibers. Furthermore, transfer of the acquired knowledge into practical sensor applications and systems benefitted both direct project partners, as well other, external partners that collaborated with applicants on similar projects, such as the company Hidria ATE from Slovenia and FISO Technologies from Canada. The participating company (Optacore) has already signed contracts on exclusive delivery of specialty fibers for sensor applications with some of these companies. Such business collaborations shall be extended further by the development of new generation of sensors. Research of doping technology using uncommon dopants and processes for specialty optical fibers` manufacturing provided new applied knowledge for product and technology development in Optacore and possible development of new fabrication equipment and system for doping of optical fiber preforms and similar products, the area of development where Optacore is one of the main players currently globally. Positive economical results are also expected on the wider Slovenian level. Currently, the proposed project group is a unique group in Slovenia with profound and extensive knowledge of optical fiber technologies. This knowledge is essential for supporting the growing interest in Slovenian business for development of applications based on photonic technologies, which provide economic growth and competitive industrial production. The proposed project, therefore, provided direct, as well as indirect, benefits to many Slovenian enterprises, which already use or want to use photonic or optical fiber based solutions. Project group members have already established cooperation with these companies. Beneficial effects on the global level have been made with successful realization of the project. With development of technologies that provide the possibility for more cost-effective implementation of sensor systems, based on novel specialty fibers and photonic devices, fiber optic sensing gained much wider acceptance in the fields where cost or other characteristics presented a critical limitation (for example in Micro-fluidics, Biomedicine, Automotive Industry, etc).
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2014,
2015,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2014,
2015,
final report
