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.
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.
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.
Organisations
- University of Oxford (Fellow, Lead Research Organisation)
- University of Technology Sydney (Collaboration)
- COVENTRY UNIVERSITY (Collaboration)
- LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY (Collaboration)
- University of Surrey (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF STRATHCLYDE (Collaboration)
- Shandong University (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH (Collaboration)
- University of Sheffield (Collaboration)
- Greenwich University (Collaboration)
- University of Bath (Collaboration)
- CRANFIELD UNIVERSITY (Collaboration)
- INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY DELHI (Collaboration)
- New York University (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON (Collaboration)
- University of Bristol (Collaboration)
- University of Manchester (Collaboration)
- University College London (Collaboration)
- University of Texas at Dallas (Collaboration)
- NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE (Collaboration)
- IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD (Collaboration)
- University of the West of England (Collaboration)
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) (Collaboration)
- University of California, Irvine (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW (Collaboration)
- University of Bordeaux (Collaboration)
- Rolls-Royce (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- CRANFIELD UNIVERSITY (Project Partner)
- Halliburton (Project Partner)
- MDA Space and Robotics (Project Partner)
- United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (Project Partner)
People |
ORCID iD |
| Julian Fells (Principal Investigator / Fellow) |
Publications
Fells JAJ
(2022)
Dynamic phase measurement of fast liquid crystal phase modulators.
in Optics express
Sun B
(2022)
On-chip beam rotators, adiabatic mode converters, and waveplates through low-loss waveguides with variable cross-sections.
in Light, science & applications
Wang M
(2022)
Single-mode sapphire fiber Bragg grating.
in Optics express
Wang M
(2021)
Single-mode sapphire fiber Bragg grating
| 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 | 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 | 09/2022 |
| End | 09/2025 |
| 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. |
| 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 | Remote NOX monitoring |
| 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 |
| 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 |