Miniaturised Strucutral Monitoring System with Autonomous Readout Micro-Technology and Fiber sensor network. (SmartFiber)

In this project, we will develop a smart miniaturized system which integrates optical fiber sensor technology, nano-photonic chip technology and low power wireless technology. The smart system will enable for the first time fully embedded structural health monitoring of composites used as structural parts in e.g. wind turbine blades, satellites, airplanes, civil constructions, oil and gas wells, boat hulls. Due to the innovative approach of integrating micro-technologies. SMARTFIBER will demonstrate a smart system so small that it can be embedded as a whole in the fiber reinforced polymer. As such, the system takes away the main technical roadblock for the industrial uptake of optical fiber sensors as structural health monitoring technology in composite structures: embedding of both fiber sensor and fiber interrogator omits the fragile external fiber coupling to an external interrogator. SMARTFIBER will drive ICT to make truly intelligent composites.