Engineering Photonics: Development and Application of Instrumentation and Sensors
Lead Research Organisation:
CRANFIELD UNIVERSITY
Department Name: Sch of Aerospace, Transport & Manufact
Abstract
The application is for a platform grant to underpin the photonic instrumentation and sensors activities within the Schools of Engineering, Applied Sciences and Health at Cranfield University. The nature of the platform grant is primarily to support salaries of researchers and support staff. The areas of research to be supported under this grant are:(i) Sensors based on nanostructured films deposited on optical fibre devices(ii) Sensing technology based upon micromachined optical fibres and silica nanowires(iii) Optical Coherence Tomography(iv) Optical instrumentation for aerodynamic applications(v) Optical instrumentation for geotechnical applications(v) Optical fibre sensors for composite material process monitoring (vi) Optical gas detection
Planned Impact
Our vision is to provide novel optical measurement solutions to nationally and internationally important applications in engineering. This will be achieved by developing novel photonic instrumentation and sensors to help gain a better understanding of the physical processes and phenomena involved. This information is used by others to produce high quality, lower cost and more environmentally friendly products. For example, lighter weight composite materials in structural and safety critical applications, improved aerodynamic efficiency for aerospace, automotive and energy applications, responding to ever more stringent legislation for safety critical applications, increased monitoring of components to extend their useful lifetime, and faster, lower cost diagnosis in health care. These areas will all benefit from advanced optical sensors and instrumentation, and in many cases optical methods are the only viable measurement solution. In particular the nature of the Platform Grant is such that industry will benefit from the greater stability of the research team and their ability to respond to short-term studies in a timely manner. We collaborate extensively with SMEs and large national and multinational companies. The optical instrumentation and sensing technologies to be underpinned by the Platform Grant will support these industries in a number of ways. We have, for example, engaged with the user base as follows; the design of new optical products; the introduction of new measurement methodologies to manufacturing; the introduction of new measurement methodologies to testing. Our work on optical coherence tomography will be of direct benefit to healthcare, providing a tool to help in the early diagnosis of a range of cancers. We have existing collaborations with a number of industrial partners in the UK, Europe and internationally. Examples include: Airbus; EADS Astrium; Rolls Royce; Oxford Instruments Nanoscience; Siemens; Alphasense; Advantica; Stent; Geotechnical Instruments; Corus; Daher-Socata; Embraer. With many of these companies we have existing agreements and close collaboration making for efficient and timely communication and engagement. This engagement occurs for specific projects and also by running dissemination meeting. For example, our work on fibre optic based process monitoring of composites was presented at Cure Monitoring , a workshop organised by Partridge for industrial users (June 2008). We engage with the Photonics KTN and Sensors KTN, in particular via the Gas Analysis and Sensing Group , for which we hosted a meeting in April 2009. We are also a member of the Sensors & Instrumentation KTN (SIKTN). It is anticipated that we will continue to publish in peer-reviewed journals and at international meetings as well as articles in appropriate trade magazines. Web pages describing the PG and its outcomes, along with our more specific research programmes, will be hosted on the university's site to further communicate the research. We plan to continue this broad range of engagement and dissemination that has operated successfully to-date. The nature of the Platform Grant is such that collaboration on specific programmes with our industrial partners is not yet planned. However, we expect the PG to underpin our research programme portfolio in which we do collaborate extensively with a range of clients. The research themes underpinned by the Platform Grant are new and adventurous and will make an impact in a time frame of 5-15 years.
Organisations
Publications
Buggy S
(2016)
Railway track component condition monitoring using optical fibre Bragg grating sensors
in Measurement Science and Technology
Charrett T
(2014)
Frequency division multiplexing for interferometric planar Doppler velocimetry
in Applied Optics
Charrett T
(2016)
Full-field interferometry using infinity corrected optics
in Measurement Science and Technology
Charrett T
(2010)
Speckle velocimetry for high accuracy odometry for a Mars exploration rover
in Measurement Science and Technology
Charrett T
(2012)
Optical fibre laser velocimetry: a review
in Measurement Science and Technology
Charrett TO
(2011)
Quantitative shearography: error reduction by using more than three measurement channels.
in Applied optics
Charrett TO
(2014)
Objective speckle displacement: an extended theory for the small deformation of shaped objects.
in Optics express
Chehura E
(2011)
Multi-component strain development in superconducting magnet coils monitored using fibre Bragg grating sensors fabricated in highly linearly birefringent fibre
in Smart Materials and Structures
Chehura E
(2020)
Production process monitoring and post-production strain measurement on a full-size carbon-fibre composite aircraft tail cone assembly using embedded optical fibre sensors
in Measurement Science and Technology
Description | This is a Platform Grant. The objectives are to provide continuity of employment for RAs between standard research grants and to undertake feasibility studies. The findings from the feasibility studies have been used to prepare submissions of full grant applications to the research councils. As part of the RA development several RAs have been involved as Researcher CIs and more recently CI. These include: (i) EP/M010473/1 Improved post-operative vision using advanced optical measurement techniques. PI: R P Tatam, CI: HD Ford. This award, in collaboration with an eye surgeon, investigated techniques to measure the refractive index of each section of the eye to enable a more accurate calculation of the correct artificial lens power to be made for an individual cataract patient. (ii) EP/L014637/1 PI: RP Tatam, CI: HD Ford, RCI: TOH Charrett. This award aimed to develop an OCT system capable of measuring 2D and 3D flows in microfluidic chips using a single optical input and output direction. (iii) EP/L010437/1 Optical fibre instrumentation for point of care diagnostics. PI: S W James, CI: RP Tatam, RCI: S Korposh (now at Nottingham University) and (iv) EP/S01313X/1 PI: RP Tatam, CI: TOH Charrett, R-CI: T Kissinger Novel optical instrumentation for robotic manufacturing Key findings for these awards, where appropriate, are listed under the individual grants. |
Exploitation Route | The findings have led to the funded research grants described above. In addition to the EPSRC grants described above this PG supported feasibility studies that led to two Innovate UK, via the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), in collaboration with industry. (i) BladeSense, led by Airbus Helicopters UK, (AHUK) utilised novel fibre optic shape sensing technology to make measurements successfully on a 5m helicopter rotor in a ground test with the rotor at ~400rpm. This was the first research programme in which AHUK had been involved and a follow on programme is currently being discussed to enable a full flight test of the fibre optic technology. (ii) WINDY, led by Airbus UK, deployed fibre optic strain (FBG) and fibre optic pressure sensors on a wind tunnels at Cranfield and ARA resulting in the first successful tests of a fibre optic pressure sensor at transonic speeds. Airbus are currently considering a further programme to increase the TRL level of the sensors. |
Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Energy,Healthcare,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Transport |
Description | As listed in the "Key findings" the feasibility studies undertaken in the PG led to several new EPSRC funded projects and to 2 Innovate UK, via the ATI, funded programmes. These ATI programmes have introduced successfully our fibre optic technology to Airbus UK and Airbus Helicopters UK and are now being considered for follow on research programmes. |
First Year Of Impact | 2019 |
Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Transport |
Impact Types | Societal,Economic |
Description | ATI |
Amount | £8,970,367 (GBP) |
Organisation | Innovate UK |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2016 |
End | 07/2020 |
Description | ATI |
Amount | £2,024,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Innovate UK |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 10/2015 |
End | 11/2018 |
Description | ATI |
Amount | £17,657,681 (GBP) |
Organisation | Innovate UK |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2016 |
End | 03/2019 |
Description | Direct Fibre Optic Shape Sensing for Large Scale Engineering Structures |
Amount | £1,378,766 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/V020218/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 10/2021 |
End | 09/2025 |
Description | EPSRC Doctoral Training Partnership |
Amount | £75,251 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2017 |
End | 01/2020 |
Description | EPSRC Impact Acceleration 2017: Hospital trial of instrument for breath analysis of ventilated patients in intensive care |
Amount | £25,185 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/R511511 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 10/2018 |
End | 03/2020 |
Description | EPSRC Impact Acceleration Award (IAA) Custom fibre optic bundles for optical inspection of quasi-cylindrical ducts |
Amount | £20,723 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/K503927/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 10/2016 |
End | 03/2017 |
Description | Healthcare |
Amount | £930,495 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/P015603/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 12/2017 |
End | 03/2021 |
Description | Healthcare |
Amount | £682,941 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/M010473/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2015 |
End | 09/2018 |
Description | Horizon 2020 FutureSky Safety |
Amount | € 300,000 (EUR) |
Funding ID | 640597 |
Organisation | European Commission |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 12/2015 |
End | 12/2017 |
Description | Impact Acceleration Account (Environmental sensors) |
Amount | £50,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2016 |
End | 03/2017 |
Description | Impact Acceleration Account (HSW gas cells) |
Amount | £39,500 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 10/2014 |
End | 09/2015 |
Description | Impact Acceleration Award |
Amount | £37,773 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/R511511 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2017 |
End | 03/2020 |
Description | Paul Instrument Fund - Self-referencing multi-surface precision interferometer |
Amount | £74,835 (GBP) |
Funding ID | PI150046 |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 10/2016 |
End | 09/2019 |
Description | Platform Grant |
Amount | £1,363,268 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/N002520/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 10/2015 |
End | 09/2020 |
Description | Standard grant |
Amount | £930,495 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/P015603/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2017 |
End | 02/2021 |
Title | Overwrite LPG spectra |
Description | Transmission spectra recorded during the formation of an LPG using the overwrite fabrication method, reported in https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.24.022345 |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2016 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | non as yet |
Title | ammonia sensing using lossy mode resonances on a tapered fobre |
Description | data underlying a publication describing the development of an ammonia sensor exploiting functional coatings deposited onto a tapered optical fibre - paper available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2016.11.092 |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2016 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | first report fof the use of lossy mode resonances for sensing of ammonia with sub ppm limit of detection |
URL | https://doi.org/10.17862/cranfield.rd.4055010.v1 |
Title | indoor air quality study |
Description | the data that underlies a report on a study of the use of optical fibre sensors for monitoring indoor air quality. The paper can be accessed at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2016.12.050 |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2016 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | first report of the use of a multiplexed array optical fibre long period gratings to monitor temperature, humidity and VOCs |
Title | spectra of LPGS witth periods 166 microns to 177 microns |
Description | the data shows, for the first time experimentally, the dependence of the transmission spectrum of an optical fibre long period grating upon the period of the grating. Data was presented in a paper available at : 10.1109/ICSENS.2016.7808441 |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2016 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | none as yet |
Title | spectral evolution during coating |
Description | the evolution of the transmission spectrum of an optical fibre long period grating during the deposition of a Langmuir Blodgett layer of calix[4]resorcinarene C11. Underlies a research paper available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2014.06.121 |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2016 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | none |
Title | Hollow fibre waveguide gas cells |
Description | Gas cells with a low volume and long pathlength suitable for fast response and / or analysis of small sample volumes |
IP Reference | GB1508115.1 |
Protection | Patent application published |
Year Protection Granted | 2015 |
Licensed | No |
Impact | This IP has been used in a follow-on EPSRC grant |
Title | In-situ pathlength calibration for integrating cavities |
Description | A pathlength calibration scheme for integrating cavities, allowing their use as vibration - tolerant gas cells in challenging and potentially dirty environments |
IP Reference | GB1506609.5 |
Protection | Patent application published |
Year Protection Granted | 2015 |
Licensed | No |
Impact | Two follow-on grants based on the work behind the patent, both included in Researchfish |
Description | Display stand at Laser World of Photonics Exhibition, Munich 2017 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Instrumentation demonstrators from several EPSRC funded programmes exhibited at a major international exhibition & conference. The aim was to increase impact of the our research by engaging with end users. A number of useful new contacts were made that are currently being further developed. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | http://openoptics.info/munich-portal/ |
Description | Display stand at Photonex exhibition, UK, 2017 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Instrumentation demonstrators from several EPSRC funded programmes exhibited at a major international exhibition & conference. The aim was to increase impact of the our research by engaging with end users. A number of useful new contacts were made that are currently being further developed. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |