This project focuses on enhancing the performance, functionality, and versatility of distributed fiber optic sensors (DFOS), emerging as transformative tools in diverse fields such as safety and security, transportation, power and energy, and beyond. DFOS systems enable continuous and real-time monitoring over long distances by utilizing optical fibers as sensing elements, detecting parameters such as temperature, strain, and vibration. Despite their significant potential, these systems need help with sensitivity, reliability, and integration into existing infrastructures, which this project aims to address.
Key objectives include developing novel sensor designs and interrogation techniques to improve measurement precision, data resolution, and range. The project seeks to create DFOS solutions capable of operating in harsh and complex environments by leveraging advancements in signal processing, machine learning, and materials science. For example, enhanced DFOS systems could enable real-time intrusion detection or structural health monitoring for critical infrastructure in safety and security. In transportation, they could facilitate predictive maintenance of railways, bridges, and tunnels by detecting early signs of stress or fatigue. In power and energy, DFOS could provide valuable insights for optimizing the performance of power grids and monitoring pipeline integrity. The outcomes of this research are expected to significantly broaden the adoption of DFOS technology across industries, improving efficiency, reducing operational risks, and enabling proactive decision-making. This project seeks to establish DFOS as a cornerstone technology for more intelligent, safer, and more sustainable systems in various critical applications through multidisciplinary collaboration and innovation.