From sensorial to smart materials: Intelligent optical sensor network for embedded applications

Abstract

The development of embedded sensors, connected to a large-scale sensor network and integrated within the host material, is a first step toward intelligent sensorial materials. This article discusses selected common sensor principles used, in particular, for structural health monitoring in composite materials and presents a new approach developed by the authors that is based on intelligent electronic sensor nodes, interconnected by optical fibers. Both a high-speed data link and power supply are realized via the optical fibers, making batteries or other local energy sources for the sensor nodes superfluous. KeywordsOptical sensor network, optical power supply, power over fibre, smart materials, sensorial materials Methods for distributed optical sensingThe majority of common sensor network concepts can be divided into the following groups: wired electronic sensor nodes, wireless electronic sensor nodes (radio interconnections), purely optical sensor networks, and electronic sensor nodes with optical interconnections. Wired and wireless electronic sensor networksWired and wireless electronic sensor nodes using radio communication are state of the art in many industrial

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Towards sensor array materials: can failure be delayed?

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