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Multipoint Sensors for Extreme Environments

Lead Research Organisation: University of Oxford
Department Name: Engineering Science

Abstract

There are many applications where infrastructure and machinery operate under extreme environmental conditions, such as very high temperatures, high pressures, high magnetic fields and exposure to radiation. The ability to obtain better measurement data within these environments has the potential to enable better control systems, leading to increased safety, increased efficiency and lower environmental impact. This project will therefore research new sensor technologies which can withstand these extreme environments, whilst allowing multiple measurements to be obtained.

This project will aim to develop multi-point pressure sensors that operate up to 700C and multi-point temperature sensors that operate up to 1500C. The sensors will be in optical fibre, which can be routed around the infrastructure to allow measurements at defined points along its length. The measurement data is recovered by injecting light into one end of the optical fibre and monitoring the light which comes back. The sensors will be fabricated by exposing the optical fibre to high intensity, short pulse laser light from the side, to cause a permanent modification inside the optical fibre. A key novelty in the research is correcting for the distortion that occurs when focussing the short pulse laser light into the optical material, to enable higher precision sensor designs. The use of sapphire will be investigated to allow operation at temperatures in excess of 1000C.

The work will be conducted at the Department of Engineering Science at the University of Oxford. There will be academic collaboration with the Osney Thermofluids Institute (University of Oxford) and Cranfield University. There are industrial collaborators in the aerospace, oilfield services and space industries. There is also collaboration with the UK Atomic Energy Authority.

Planned Impact

This project will benefit companies and organisations that operate in extreme environments or manufacture equipment for such environments. These include companies in the aerospace sector (e.g. aero engine and aircraft manufacturers), the oil and gas sector (e.g. oil production and oilfield service companies), the space sector (e.g. equipment suppliers), and the nuclear sector (e.g. equipment suppliers and energy companies). The project will however benefit the whole supply chain, for example: raw materials suppliers, optical device fabrication companies, instrumentation companies, engineering manufacturing companies, service providers using the manufactured products, and end-users.

The impact will be increased monitoring of machinery and infrastructure operating in extreme environments, to improve safety, improve efficiency and reduce emisions. Specific examples of potential impact are: 1) Aero engines with higher efficiency and reduced nitrogen oxide emissions; 2) oil production infrastructure with increased production yields. The impact will result in increased sales leading to higher employment, conservation of scarce natural resources and reduction in emissions harmful to health and the environment.
 
Title baumer_video0012.avi 
Description Video of femtosecond laser fabrication in sapphire. Fabrication of waeguide with Bragg grating. 
Type Of Art Film/Video/Animation 
Year Produced 2022 
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/media/baumer_video0012_avi/19225089/1
 
Title baumer_video0012.avi 
Description Video of femtosecond laser fabrication in sapphire. Fabrication of waeguide with Bragg grating. 
Type Of Art Film/Video/Animation 
Year Produced 2022 
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/media/baumer_video0012_avi/19225089
 
Title baumer_video0014.avi 
Description Video of femtosecond laser fabrication in sapphire. Fabrication of waeguide with Bragg grating. 
Type Of Art Film/Video/Animation 
Year Produced 2022 
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/media/baumer_video0014_avi/19225092
 
Title baumer_video0014.avi 
Description Video of femtosecond laser fabrication in sapphire. Fabrication of waeguide with Bragg grating. 
Type Of Art Film/Video/Animation 
Year Produced 2022 
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/media/baumer_video0014_avi/19225092/1
 
Title baumer_video0022.avi 
Description Video of femtosecond laser fabrication in sapphire. Fabrication of waeguide with Bragg grating. 
Type Of Art Film/Video/Animation 
Year Produced 2022 
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/media/baumer_video0022_avi/19225083/1
 
Title baumer_video0022.avi 
Description Video of femtosecond laser fabrication in sapphire. Fabrication of waeguide with Bragg grating. 
Type Of Art Film/Video/Animation 
Year Produced 2022 
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/media/baumer_video0022_avi/19225083
 
Title baumer_video0023.avi 
Description Video of femtosecond laser fabrication in sapphire. Fabrication of waeguide with Bragg grating. 
Type Of Art Film/Video/Animation 
Year Produced 2022 
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/media/baumer_video0023_avi/19225086
 
Title baumer_video0023.avi 
Description Video of femtosecond laser fabrication in sapphire. Fabrication of waeguide with Bragg grating. 
Type Of Art Film/Video/Animation 
Year Produced 2022 
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/media/baumer_video0023_avi/19225086/1
 
Description A new type of sapphire optical fibre has been created which has the potential to allow high accuracy temperature messurements in extreme environments in excess of 1000C. This has the potential to enable measrements in infrastructure such as fusion power plants and aero engnes, witht the resulting data used to opimise teir performance for greter efficiency, safety and reduced emissions..

A new optical fibre sensor device has been designed and simulated. The simulations show that this device is capable of measuring temperature and strain and distinguishing between the two when both are occurring concurrently. Furthermore, unlike alternative approaches, the design is suitable for commercial manufacture.

A new type of optical fibre pressure sensor has been designed and simulated. Simulations show that it is more sensitive than existing sensors of this type.
Exploitation Route Within 'Pathwyas to Impact' there is a plan to transition the outcomes through to commercial imapact through engagement with commercial enterprises.
Sectors Aerospace

Defence and Marine

Electronics

Energy

Environment

Manufacturing

including Industrial Biotechology

Transport

 
Description I am in the process of setting up a spinout company to commercialise the research.
First Year Of Impact 2025
Sector Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology
Impact Types Economic

 
Description Custom optical fibre to accelerate translation of novel FBGs into commercial products - Impact Acceleration Account Strategic Fund
Amount £27,990 (GBP)
Funding ID 0014814 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 02/2024 
End 03/2024
 
Description Multiscale multidimensional integrated imaging for precision laser processing (M2I2)
Amount £850,431 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/W025256/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 08/2022 
End 09/2025
 
Description Next Generation Fibre Bragg Grating Pre-production Samples
Amount £198,805 (GBP)
Funding ID 14755-499 
Organisation University of Oxford 
Department Oxford University Innovation
Sector Private
Country United Kingdom
Start 03/2025 
End 11/2025
 
Description Translating novel FBGs to manufacturable products - Impact Acceleration Account Technology Fund
Amount £89,941 (GBP)
Funding ID 0014352 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 03/2024 
End 03/2025
 
Title Dataset1 Fiber Bragg gratings with micro-engineered temperature coefficients 
Description Underlying data for the paper 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2025 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:c3faa15f-276a-45eb-8a46-81c6f2492667
 
Title Multicomponent optical waveguide 
Description This is a new model developed of an optical fibre with novel materials incorporated within it. 
Type Of Material Computer model/algorithm 
Year Produced 2021 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact It enables new designs of optical fibre sensors for measuring temperature and strain independently of one another. 
 
Title Wang-Single-mode sapphire fiber Bragg grating Fig10.csv 
Description "Single-mode sapphire fiber Bragg grating" Data File 8 (Underlying data for Figure 10) Measured reflection spectrum of a sapphire fiber Bragg grating 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/dataset/Wang-Single-mode_sapphire_fiber_Bragg_grating...
 
Title Wang-Single-mode sapphire fiber Bragg grating Fig10.csv 
Description "Single-mode sapphire fiber Bragg grating" Data File 8 (Underlying data for Figure 10) Measured reflection spectrum of a sapphire fiber Bragg grating 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/dataset/Wang-Single-mode_sapphire_fiber_Bragg_grating...
 
Title Wang-Single-mode sapphire fiber Bragg grating Fig2c.csv 
Description "Single-mode sapphire fiber Bragg grating" Data File 1 (Underlying data for Figure 2c) Experimental measured dimensions of the laser-induced single-tracks using different pulse energies and repetition rates 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/dataset/Wang-Single-mode_sapphire_fiber_Bragg_grating...
 
Title Wang-Single-mode sapphire fiber Bragg grating Fig2c.csv 
Description "Single-mode sapphire fiber Bragg grating" Data File 1 (Underlying data for Figure 2c) Experimental measured dimensions of the laser-induced single-tracks using different pulse energies and repetition rates 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/dataset/Wang-Single-mode_sapphire_fiber_Bragg_grating...
 
Title Wang-Single-mode sapphire fiber Bragg grating Fig4a.csv 
Description "Single-mode sapphire fiber Bragg grating" Data File 2 (Underlying data for Figure 4a) Measured guided mode profile of a sapphire depressed cladding waveguide for TE mode 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/dataset/Wang-Single-mode_sapphire_fiber_Bragg_grating...
 
Title Wang-Single-mode sapphire fiber Bragg grating Fig4a.csv 
Description "Single-mode sapphire fiber Bragg grating" Data File 2 (Underlying data for Figure 4a) Measured guided mode profile of a sapphire depressed cladding waveguide for TE mode 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/dataset/Wang-Single-mode_sapphire_fiber_Bragg_grating...
 
Title Wang-Single-mode sapphire fiber Bragg grating Fig4b.csv 
Description "Single-mode sapphire fiber Bragg grating" Data File 3 (Underlying data for Figure 4b) Measured guided mode profile of a sapphire depressed cladding waveguide for TM mode 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/dataset/Wang-Single-mode_sapphire_fiber_Bragg_grating...
 
Title Wang-Single-mode sapphire fiber Bragg grating Fig4b.csv 
Description "Single-mode sapphire fiber Bragg grating" Data File 3 (Underlying data for Figure 4b) Measured guided mode profile of a sapphire depressed cladding waveguide for TM mode 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/dataset/Wang-Single-mode_sapphire_fiber_Bragg_grating...
 
Title Wang-Single-mode sapphire fiber Bragg grating Fig7c.csv 
Description Single-mode sapphire fiber Bragg grating Data File 4 (Underlying data for Figure 7c) Measured guided mode profile of a sapphire waveguide Bragg grating 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/dataset/Wang-Single-mode_sapphire_fiber_Bragg_grating...
 
Title Wang-Single-mode sapphire fiber Bragg grating Fig7c.csv 
Description Single-mode sapphire fiber Bragg grating Data File 4 (Underlying data for Figure 7c) Measured guided mode profile of a sapphire waveguide Bragg grating 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/dataset/Wang-Single-mode_sapphire_fiber_Bragg_grating...
 
Title Wang-Single-mode sapphire fiber Bragg grating Fig7d.csv 
Description "Single-mode sapphire fiber Bragg grating" Data File 5 (Underlying data for Figure 7d) Measured reflection spectrum of a sapphire waveguide Bragg grating 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/dataset/Wang-Single-mode_sapphire_fiber_Bragg_grating...
 
Title Wang-Single-mode sapphire fiber Bragg grating Fig7d.csv 
Description "Single-mode sapphire fiber Bragg grating" Data File 5 (Underlying data for Figure 7d) Measured reflection spectrum of a sapphire waveguide Bragg grating 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/dataset/Wang-Single-mode_sapphire_fiber_Bragg_grating...
 
Title Wang-Single-mode sapphire fiber Bragg grating Fig8.csv 
Description "Single-mode sapphire fiber Bragg grating" Data File 6 (Underlying data for Figure 8) Measured reflection spectrums of second-order sapphire waveguide Bragg grating before and after annealing at 1000 degreeC 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/dataset/Wang-Single-mode_sapphire_fiber_Bragg_grating...
 
Title Wang-Single-mode sapphire fiber Bragg grating Fig8.csv 
Description "Single-mode sapphire fiber Bragg grating" Data File 6 (Underlying data for Figure 8) Measured reflection spectrums of second-order sapphire waveguide Bragg grating before and after annealing at 1000 degreeC 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/dataset/Wang-Single-mode_sapphire_fiber_Bragg_grating...
 
Title Wang-Single-mode sapphire fiber Bragg grating Fig9d.csv 
Description "Single-mode sapphire fiber Bragg grating" Data File 7 (Underlying data for Figure 9d) Measured guided mode profile of a sapphire fiber Bragg grating 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/dataset/Wang-Single-mode_sapphire_fiber_Bragg_grating...
 
Title Wang-Single-mode sapphire fiber Bragg grating Fig9d.csv 
Description "Single-mode sapphire fiber Bragg grating" Data File 7 (Underlying data for Figure 9d) Measured guided mode profile of a sapphire fiber Bragg grating 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/dataset/Wang-Single-mode_sapphire_fiber_Bragg_grating...
 
Title datafile1.csv 
Description This Data file supports the publication "Dynamic phase measurement of fast liquid crystal phase modulators". It is the undetlying data for Fig. 3(a-b). 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/dataset/datafile1_csv/19545112
 
Title datafile1.csv 
Description This Data file supports the publication "Dynamic phase measurement of fast liquid crystal phase modulators". It is the undetlying data for Fig. 3(a-b). 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/dataset/datafile1_csv/19545112/1
 
Title datafile10.csv 
Description This Data file supports the publication "Dynamic phase measurement of fast liquid crystal phase modulators". It is the undetlying data for Fig. 10(a). 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/dataset/datafile10_csv/19545274/1
 
Title datafile10.csv 
Description This Data file supports the publication "Dynamic phase measurement of fast liquid crystal phase modulators". It is the undetlying data for Fig. 10(a). 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/dataset/datafile10_csv/19545274
 
Title datafile11.csv 
Description This Data file supports the publication "Dynamic phase measurement of fast liquid crystal phase modulators". It is the undetlying data for Fig. 10(b). 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/dataset/datafile11_csv/19545286/1
 
Title datafile11.csv 
Description This Data file supports the publication "Dynamic phase measurement of fast liquid crystal phase modulators". It is the undetlying data for Fig. 10(b). 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/dataset/datafile11_csv/19545286
 
Title datafile12.csv 
Description This Data file supports the publication "Dynamic phase measurement of fast liquid crystal phase modulators". It is the undetlying data for Fig. 11 (simulated data). 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/dataset/datafile12_csv/19545316/1
 
Title datafile12.csv 
Description This Data file supports the publication "Dynamic phase measurement of fast liquid crystal phase modulators". It is the undetlying data for Fig. 11 (simulated data). 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/dataset/datafile12_csv/19545316
 
Title datafile13.csv 
Description This Data file supports the publication "Dynamic phase measurement of fast liquid crystal phase modulators". It is the undetlying data for Fig. 11 (optical phased measurement data). 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/dataset/datafile13_csv/19545340
 
Title datafile13.csv 
Description This Data file supports the publication "Dynamic phase measurement of fast liquid crystal phase modulators". It is the undetlying data for Fig. 11 (optical phased measurement data). 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/dataset/datafile13_csv/19545340/1
 
Title datafile2.csv 
Description This Data file supports the publication "Dynamic phase measurement of fast liquid crystal phase modulators". It is the undetlying data for Fig. 3(c-e). 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/dataset/datafile2_csv/19545148/1
 
Title datafile2.csv 
Description This Data file supports the publication "Dynamic phase measurement of fast liquid crystal phase modulators". It is the undetlying data for Fig. 3(c-e). 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/dataset/datafile2_csv/19545148
 
Title datafile3.csv 
Description This Data file supports the publication "Dynamic phase measurement of fast liquid crystal phase modulators". It is the undetlying data for Fig. 3(f). 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/dataset/datafile3_csv/19545160/1
 
Title datafile3.csv 
Description This Data file supports the publication "Dynamic phase measurement of fast liquid crystal phase modulators". It is the undetlying data for Fig. 3(f). 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/dataset/datafile3_csv/19545160
 
Title datafile4.csv 
Description This Data file supports the publication "Dynamic phase measurement of fast liquid crystal phase modulators". It is the undetlying data for Fig. 5(a-b). 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/dataset/datafile4_csv/19545175/1
 
Title datafile4.csv 
Description This Data file supports the publication "Dynamic phase measurement of fast liquid crystal phase modulators". It is the undetlying data for Fig. 5(a-b). 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/dataset/datafile4_csv/19545175
 
Title datafile5.csv 
Description This Data file supports the publication "Dynamic phase measurement of fast liquid crystal phase modulators". It is the undetlying data for Fig. 5(c-d). 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/dataset/datafile5_csv/19545193/1
 
Title datafile5.csv 
Description This Data file supports the publication "Dynamic phase measurement of fast liquid crystal phase modulators". It is the undetlying data for Fig. 5(c-d). 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/dataset/datafile5_csv/19545193
 
Title datafile6.csv 
Description This Data file supports the publication "Dynamic phase measurement of fast liquid crystal phase modulators". It is the undetlying data for Fig. 6. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/dataset/datafile6_csv/19545208/1
 
Title datafile6.csv 
Description This Data file supports the publication "Dynamic phase measurement of fast liquid crystal phase modulators". It is the undetlying data for Fig. 6. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/dataset/datafile6_csv/19545208
 
Title datafile7.csv 
Description This Data file supports the publication "Dynamic phase measurement of fast liquid crystal phase modulators". It is the undetlying data for Fig. 7. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/dataset/datafile7_csv/19545226
 
Title datafile7.csv 
Description This Data file supports the publication "Dynamic phase measurement of fast liquid crystal phase modulators". It is the undetlying data for Fig. 7. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/dataset/datafile7_csv/19545226/1
 
Title datafile8.csv 
Description This Data file supports the publication "Dynamic phase measurement of fast liquid crystal phase modulators". It is the undetlying data for Fig. 8. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/dataset/datafile8_csv/19545238/1
 
Title datafile8.csv 
Description This Data file supports the publication "Dynamic phase measurement of fast liquid crystal phase modulators". It is the undetlying data for Fig. 8. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/dataset/datafile8_csv/19545238
 
Title datafile9.csv 
Description This Data file supports the publication "Dynamic phase measurement of fast liquid crystal phase modulators". It is the undetlying data for Fig. 9. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/dataset/datafile9_csv/19545250/1
 
Title datafile9.csv 
Description This Data file supports the publication "Dynamic phase measurement of fast liquid crystal phase modulators". It is the undetlying data for Fig. 9. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/dataset/datafile9_csv/19545250
 
Description In-situ optical sensors for intelligent energy storage 
Organisation Coventry University
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This is a collaboration with the Institute of Future Transport and Cities at Coventry University, to apply the fibre optic sensing technology developed within the EPSRC Fellowship "Multipoint Sensors for Extreme Environments" into a new field of application in battery technology. Extreme care is required in charging batteries for the next generation of green electric vehicles, since Li-ion cells must be kept within strict environmental conditions such as temperature and pressure in order to prevent catastrophic damage and fire hazard. This in turn limits the charging rates possible. By actively monitoring battery heath during charging, higher charging currents and reduced charging times will be realisable. This will not only make electric vehicle ownership more attractive and accelerate adoption, but it will also enable increased utilisation of charging infrastructure to increase throughput. The significant challenge is how to instrument battery technology, since the available space for instrumentation is necessarily heavily constrained. The University of Oxford will be contributing optical fibre sensing technology to instrument batteries to meet this challenge. It will also be providing expertise to develop ultra low cost interrogation systems to enable technology which is compatible with domestically used vehicles to enable mass public adoption.
Collaborator Contribution The University of Coventry will be providing all the expertise with regard to the battery technology and the instrumentation required. They will develop specifications to enable the University of Oxford to develop the technology. They will then assemble battery systems and integrate the sensor technology from the University of Oxford.
Impact We have identified 3 new potential research projects and we are collaborating on the writing and submission of research grants to finance these projects.
Start Year 2021
 
Description Novel single crystal fibres 
Organisation Shandong University
Country China 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We have had on-line meetings with the University to discuss our capability in micromachining sapphire and other single-crystal materials.
Collaborator Contribution Shandong University have provided us with a range of single-crystal fibre samples in sapphire and other material for us. The declared value of these samples was CNY 3,500.
Impact This collaboration is at an early stage.
Start Year 2023
 
Description Optical fibre gas species sensing 
Organisation University of Oxford
Department Department of Chemistry
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution A new project has been set up with the University of Oxford Department of Chemistry to research NO detection remotely using optical fibre sensors. A D Phil (PhD) student has been recruited to work on the project. We will be designing and fabricating the optical fibre sensors.
Collaborator Contribution The University of Oxford Department of Chemistry will be providing the expertise in gas spectroscopy analysis.
Impact The projeect has been scoped out and will start formally on 1 October 2021.
Start Year 2021
 
Description Sapphire optical amplifiers 
Organisation University of Strathclyde
Department Institute of Photonics
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We have had discussions about setting up a collaborative project in sapphire optical amplifiers utilising our technology.
Collaborator Contribution We have had discussions about setting up a collaborative project in sapphire optical amplifiers utilising our technology.
Impact It is at an early stage of the collaboration.
Start Year 2022
 
Description Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS) 
Organisation Coventry University
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Collaborator Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Impact A proposal has been prepared to start the network.
Start Year 2023
 
Description Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS) 
Organisation Cranfield University
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Collaborator Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Impact A proposal has been prepared to start the network.
Start Year 2023
 
Description Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS) 
Organisation Greenwich University
Country Pakistan 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Collaborator Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Impact A proposal has been prepared to start the network.
Start Year 2023
 
Description Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS) 
Organisation Imperial College London
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Collaborator Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Impact A proposal has been prepared to start the network.
Start Year 2023
 
Description Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS) 
Organisation Indian Institute of Technology Delhi
Country India 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Collaborator Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Impact A proposal has been prepared to start the network.
Start Year 2023
 
Description Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS) 
Organisation Loughborough University
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Collaborator Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Impact A proposal has been prepared to start the network.
Start Year 2023
 
Description Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS) 
Organisation New York University
Country United States 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Collaborator Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Impact A proposal has been prepared to start the network.
Start Year 2023
 
Description Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS) 
Organisation Northumbria University
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Collaborator Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Impact A proposal has been prepared to start the network.
Start Year 2023
 
Description Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS) 
Organisation Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL)
Country Switzerland 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Collaborator Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Impact A proposal has been prepared to start the network.
Start Year 2023
 
Description Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS) 
Organisation University College London
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Collaborator Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Impact A proposal has been prepared to start the network.
Start Year 2023
 
Description Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS) 
Organisation University of Bath
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Collaborator Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Impact A proposal has been prepared to start the network.
Start Year 2023
 
Description Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS) 
Organisation University of Bordeaux
Country France 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Collaborator Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Impact A proposal has been prepared to start the network.
Start Year 2023
 
Description Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS) 
Organisation University of Bristol
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Collaborator Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Impact A proposal has been prepared to start the network.
Start Year 2023
 
Description Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS) 
Organisation University of California, Irvine
Country United States 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Collaborator Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Impact A proposal has been prepared to start the network.
Start Year 2023
 
Description Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS) 
Organisation University of Cambridge
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Collaborator Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Impact A proposal has been prepared to start the network.
Start Year 2023
 
Description Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS) 
Organisation University of Edinburgh
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Collaborator Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Impact A proposal has been prepared to start the network.
Start Year 2023
 
Description Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS) 
Organisation University of Glasgow
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Collaborator Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Impact A proposal has been prepared to start the network.
Start Year 2023
 
Description Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS) 
Organisation University of Manchester
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Collaborator Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Impact A proposal has been prepared to start the network.
Start Year 2023
 
Description Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS) 
Organisation University of Sheffield
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Collaborator Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Impact A proposal has been prepared to start the network.
Start Year 2023
 
Description Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS) 
Organisation University of Southampton
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Collaborator Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Impact A proposal has been prepared to start the network.
Start Year 2023
 
Description Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS) 
Organisation University of Strathclyde
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Collaborator Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Impact A proposal has been prepared to start the network.
Start Year 2023
 
Description Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS) 
Organisation University of Surrey
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Collaborator Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Impact A proposal has been prepared to start the network.
Start Year 2023
 
Description Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS) 
Organisation University of Technology Sydney
Country Australia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Collaborator Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Impact A proposal has been prepared to start the network.
Start Year 2023
 
Description Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS) 
Organisation University of Texas at Dallas
Country United States 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Collaborator Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Impact A proposal has been prepared to start the network.
Start Year 2023
 
Description Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS) 
Organisation University of the West of England
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Collaborator Contribution Participation in a workshop at Coventry University to set up the Sensors, Sensing and Society Network (SENSS). This will be a network to foster collaboration and engagement in sensors and instrumentation.
Impact A proposal has been prepared to start the network.
Start Year 2023
 
Title OPTICAL FIBRES AND USES THEREOF 
Description There is provided an optical fibre comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein: the second portion is a void portion comprising one or more voids, wherein the one or more voids extend longitudinally along the length of the optical fibre within the void portion; the first portion and the second portion are substantially mode-matched; and the one or more voids are at least partially filled with a filler having a material property different to the material property of a material of the optical fibre. 
IP Reference WO2024261497 
Protection Patent / Patent application
Year Protection Granted 2024
Licensed No
 
Title SAPPHIRE OPTICAL WAVEGUIDE BASED GAIN MEDIUM 
Description A method of stimulating emission of light comprising using a single-mode sapphire optical waveguide as a gain medium, and a sapphire optical device comprising an optical gain medium comprising a single-mode sapphire optical waveguide. 
IP Reference WO2023237888 
Protection Patent / Patent application
Year Protection Granted 2023
Licensed No
 
Title Code 1.zip 
Description This Code and Dataset supports the publication "Dynamic phase measurement of fast liquid crystal phase modulators".. The work reports an instrumentation system to measure optical phase using a heterodyne interferometer. A flexoelectro-optic liquid crystal phase modulator is used as the test device. Matlab scripts are provided to demodulate the data to recover the phase modulation. A set of data files are provided,which have been acquired from the measurement system using a Keysight U2331A data acquisition module. These data files relate to the figures and can be demodulated and plotted with the Matlab scripts provided. 
Type Of Technology Software 
Year Produced 2022 
Open Source License? Yes  
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/software/Code_1_zip/19544722
 
Title Code 1.zip 
Description This Code and Dataset supports the publication "Dynamic phase measurement of fast liquid crystal phase modulators".. The work reports an instrumentation system to measure optical phase using a heterodyne interferometer. A flexoelectro-optic liquid crystal phase modulator is used as the test device. Matlab scripts are provided to demodulate the data to recover the phase modulation. A set of data files are provided,which have been acquired from the measurement system using a Keysight U2331A data acquisition module. These data files relate to the figures and can be demodulated and plotted with the Matlab scripts provided. 
Type Of Technology Software 
Year Produced 2022 
Open Source License? Yes  
URL https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/software/Code_1_zip/19544722/1
 
Description Laser Focus World Article 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Following our press release on the first single-mode sapphire fibre, Laser Focus World contacted us to write a fuller article.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://www.laserfocusworld.com/science-research/article/14276287/clever-approach-turns-multimode-sa...
 
Description Optics and Photonics News Article 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Following our press release on the first single-mode sapphire fibre, Optics and Photonics News contacted us to write a longer article.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://www.optica-opn.org/home/newsroom/2022/april/single-mode_sapphire_fiber_for_more_accurate_sen...
 
Description Physics World Article 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Following our press release Physics World contacted us to write an article about our achievement of the first single-mode sapphire fibre.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://physicsworld.com/a/sapphire-fibre-makes-a-robust-extreme-environment-sensor/#:~:text=Sapphir...
 
Description Presentation to EPSRC Council 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact I was invited to give a presentation to the EPSRC Council showcasing the research. It was also an opportunity for Council Members to gain a better understanding the the changes fellows experience.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.ukri.org/about-us/epsrc/how-we-are-governed/governance-and-advisory-bodies/council/
 
Description Press release for first single-mode sapphire optical fibre 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact To coincide with the publication of our breakthrough key milestone of the creation of the first single-mode fibre, a press release was issued. This attracted worldwide media attention and was carried by over 80 media outlets worldwide. This included the UK National Press as well as general Engineering and optics publications. A few examples of media organisations which picked up the release are below. In addition to these a number of titles approached us for more detailed engagement to write fuller articles and these are listed as separate entries on Research Fish.

https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/sapphire-fibre-sensor-plane-space-fusion-power-b2062496.html
https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1599033/energy-crisis-lifeline-oxford-experts-sapphire-fibre-sensor-improve-efficiency-jet-fusion
https://eandt.theiet.org/content/articles/2022/04/sapphire-fibre-sensor-could-improve-energy-efficiency-and-enable-cleaner-air-travel/
https://www.electrooptics.com/news/sapphire-fibre-sensor-opens-extreme-temp-monitoring
https://phys.org/news/2022-04-sapphire-fiber-enable-cleaner-energy.html
https://www.techbriefs.com/component/content/article/tb/insiders/pit/stories/45777
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/04/220421100135.htm
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2022-04-21-sapphire-fibre-could-enable-cleaner-energy-and-air-travel
 
Description Talk to Didcot University of the third age (U3A) Science Group 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact I gave a talk to the University of the third age (U3A) Science group in Didcot. The audience was retirees with an interest in science, The talk was generally about optical fibre sensors, but also including some of my latest research results.

The talk was very well received an as a result I was put forward to give a talk at the Wantage branch of the U3A
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://u3asites.org.uk/didcot/home