Stretchable distributed fiber-optic sensors
Abstract
Distributed fiber-optic sensors have been used for monitoring mechanical deformations in stiff infrastructures such as bridges, roads, and buildings, but they either are limited to measuring one variable or require complex optics to measure multiple properties. Bai et al. now demonstrate dual-core elastomeric optical fibers, one of which contains patterned dye regions. The waveguides are fabricated by molding out of commercially available elastomers and integrate a clear core and an adjacent core doped with up to three macroscale dye regions. Changes in optical paths in the two cores detect deformation and map it onto a color space. By monitoring changes in the color and intensity in both elastomer-based fibers, the researchers could distinguish bending, stretching, and localized pressing with a spatial resolution down to ∼1 centimeter.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Nov 13, 2020
- Source ID
- 10.1126/science.aba5504
Entities
People
- Clifford R. Pollock
- Hedan Bai
- Jose Barreiros
- Robert F Shepherd
- Shuo Li
- Yaqi Tu
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Cornell University
- National Institute of Food and Agriculture
- National Science Foundation
- Office of Naval Research