Novel flat optical fibre sensors for application in process control, evaluation and health monitoring of high value composite assets
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Hertfordshire
Department Name: School of Physics, Eng & Computer Scienc
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Publications
Chen T
(2025)
Bridging effects for through-thickness reinforced laminates
in Composites Science and Technology
| Description | FOSSIC kick off meeting |
| Organisation | University of Southampton |
| Department | School of Electronics and Computer Science Southampton |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The FOSSIC academic consortium met with industrial partners at the Optoelectronics Research Centre at The University of Southampton for the FOSSIC project kick-off meeting. This was an opportunity to give an update on the FOSSIC research progress, as well as for Phase 2 academic partners to introduce their application cases for FOSSIC sensors: ? University of Warwick and University of Hertfordshire: Braiding of thermoplastic matrix composites ? University of Nottingham: Monitoring lifecycle strains of retrofitted composite repair patches ? Wrexham University: Process monitoring of microwave curing of composite mirrors This section provides a high-level overview of the progress made in FOSSIC over the past six months. We remain on track with key milestones and deliverables, including additively manufactured waveguide definition, controlled large 'mesostructure' development, and initial fibre integration and testing efforts into composite material. We have further developed a system for conformal coating of the flat optical fibre as it is drawn from the optical fibre drawing tower. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The University of Hertfordshire has recently finished the commissioning of a state-of-the-art autoclave. This system improves on previous capability with the ability to process thermoset/thermoplastic composites. These upgrades mark a major step forward in our ability to work with high-performance materials, enabling more complex processing techniques and expanding the scope of our research into advanced composite manufacturing. |
| Impact | 20/11/2024: Industry focused FOSSIC project meeting (University of Nottingham) This biannual meeting between the FOSSIC academic partners and the industrial advisory board shall take place at the University of Nottingham. The agenda includes progress updates, networking opportunities, focus group discussions, and facility tours. It will also be coincided with the biannual IAB meeting for Industry members which will be in hybrid format. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | FOSSIC project meeting |
| Organisation | University of Edinburgh |
| Department | School of Engineering |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The Herts team is working on an advanced modeling framework for monitoring the curing process of composite materials, with a focus on both thermoset and thermoplastic composites. Here's a breakdown of the key points and potential next steps based on the information provided: 1. Cure Kinetics Model for Thermoset Composites and first Approximation of Kinetic Parameters: The initial step involves developing a cure kinetics model under isothermal conditions to approximate the kinetic parameters (e.g., activation energy, reaction order, and rate constants) that describe the curing process.The isothermal data provides a baseline for understanding how the material cures at constant temperatures. 2. Material Model todescribe how the physical and mechanical properties of the composite evolve during the curing process. This includes changes in viscosity, modulus, and degree of cure. 3. Adaptation for Thermoplastics: Thermoplastics have different curing mechanisms compared to thermosets. While thermosets undergo irreversible crosslinking, thermoplastics typically undergo melting and solidification processes. For thermoplastics, the model might need to incorporate additional parameters such as cooling rates, crystallization kinetics, and the effects of thermal history on material properties. The Herts team is exploring how to adapt the existing thermoset curing model to account for the unique behavior of thermoplastics. This might involve modifying the kinetic model to describe crystallization kinetics or other relevant phase transitions. 4. Next Steps in the Modeling Framework Non-Isothermal Cure Kinetics: After establishing the isothermal model, the next step could be to extend the model to non-isothermal conditions, which are more representative of real-world curing processes. Validation with Experimental Data: The model should be validated against experimental data to ensure accuracy. This could involve comparing predicted degree of cure, viscosity, and mechanical properties with measured values. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Southampton team and Bristol team are collaborating on the development of a novel optical fiber sensor and its integration into thermoset composites. This work in targeting for the advancing in-situ monitoring of composite materials during manufacturing and in-service conditions. The embedment work was initially completed without coating of the optical fibre sensor and then with coating. |
| Impact | The progress meeting has discussed the next stage work to send the embedded optical fibres to other partners for integration. |
| Start Year | 2024 |