Fiber optic sensors
Unmet need
Fiber optic sensors are used in numerous applications to monitor environmental parameters. They rely on measuring changes in the optical properties of fibers caused by external influences affecting the fiber. Measurements such as temperature, strain, pressure, and even the presence of chemical contaminants are possible. They offer several advantages: spatially distributed measurement along the fiber, the ability to perform near real-time measurements, operation over long distances, relatively easy integration into devices (e.g., catheters) and structures (e.g., pipelines, bridges), and overall robustness.
However, current technologies present limitations due to optical configurations, leading to cost challenges and performance trade-offs (e.g., resolution versus distance, and limitations in 3D measurement).
Technology overview
The proposed technology consists of a frequency-swept laser source, an optical fiber integrated into the medium or object to be monitored, and a measurement system. This technology clearly distinguishes itself from existing solutions, as it enables distributed shape sensing without relying on costly multicore fibers or complex machine learning algorithms. For distributed sensing, a frequency-swept light source and photodiode allow real-time localization of deformation.
Market applications
- Infrastructure: real-time monitoring of bridges, tunnels, and critical structures
- Oil & Gas: pipeline and well integrity monitoring, leak and deformation detection
- Medical: shape sensing for catheters and minimally invasive devices
- Aerospace & Defense: structural health monitoring and damage detection
- Telecommunications: detection of physical disturbances in fiber networks
Competitive advantage
- Simplifies and reduces hardware costs by eliminating the need for expensive multi-core fibers or complex fiber arrays
- Streamlines signal processing, avoiding the need for complex machine learning algorithms
- Enhances signal quality and improves the signal-to-noise ratio
- Enables short to long-distance distributed sensing (1m to 1km)
- Provides high spatial resolution
- Supports versatile and scalable applications, offering an adaptable, cost-effective solution
Business opportunity
- Partnership for R&D collaboration and/or licensing
Prof. Sébastien Loranger
Assistant Professor
Department of Electrical Engineering
Expertise
Roger Miller
Technology Transfer Office
