from the conferences organized by TANGER Ltd.
Optical fiber based sensors are well established as superior to other (especially the electrically conductive) types of sensors within the same applications due to their: light weight, flexibility, sensitivity, large surface area, potential for multi-functionality and multiplexing, immunity to interference with electromagnetic fields, resilience to harsh environmental conditions as well as their safe and hazard-free use during biological interaction. Also, as the lightwaves can cross over cavities and gaps, there is no essential need for continuity in the structure; as it is required in electrically conductive materials. Nevertheless, silica glass - and many polymeric - optical fiber sensors have limited stretchability and fail at low strains; which is not suitable for applications that require higher mechanical compliance such as wearable and stretchable electronics. Therefore, this work investigates the possibilities for utilizing structural fibers (the building blocks of fibrous materials) and using them for light wave-guidance, with a study for the intensity modulation under external mechanical-strains. In particular, elastomeric fibers will be used; as they have a relatively high refractive index (thus, allows the total internal reflection of lightwaves), and high mechanical compliance with elastic stretchability up to 100%. The outcomes of this work should lead to novel sensory materials with high stretchability which are essential for many applications such as robotics and wearable devices.
Keywords: Elastic fiber; Light wave-guidance; Optical fiber sensors; Stretchable sensors; Structural health monitoring© This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.