A fiber optic sensor for detecting an excitation in proximity to a fiber optic assembly, the excitation inducing a modulation of the phase of an optical signal propagating in the fiber optic assembly, the sensor comprises: a laser assembly emitting at least one laser beam; a fiber optic assembly; an optical system configured to: inject at least one portion of the laser beam; generate at least one laser signal beam issued from the laser beam injected into and propagated in the fiber assembly; generate at least one reference beam from the laser beam or the signal beam; produce at least one interference zone corresponding to the interference between a portion of the reference beam and a portion of the interference signal beam corresponding to the interference between a portion of the reference beam and a portion of the signal beam; a digital holography assembly comprising: a liquid-crystal spatial light modulator; a video camera configured to receive the interference zone and to transcribe it electrically to the liquid-crystal spatial light modulator in order to create thereon a phase hologram corresponding thereto; at least one optical detector configured to detect an output optical signal beam.

Waveguides, such as light guides, made entirely of elastomeric material or with indents on an outer surface are disclosed. These improved waveguides can be used in scissors, soft robotics, or displays. For example, the waveguides can be used in a strain sensor, a curvature sensor, or a force sensor. In an instance, the waveguide can be used in a hand prosthetic. Sensors that use the disclosed waveguides and methods of manufacturing waveguides also are disclosed.

Waveguides, such as light guides, made entirely of elastomeric material or with indents on an outer surface are disclosed. These improved waveguides can be used in sensors, soft robotics, or displays. For example, the waveguides can be used in a strain sensor, a curvature sensor, or a force sensor. In an instance, the waveguide can be used in a hand prosthetic. Sensors that use the disclosed waveguides and methods of manufacturing waveguides also are disclosed.

Disclosed is a sensor enabling positioning of a flexible element subject to applied forces. The sensor includes at least two spatially separated light permeable tubes, each having first and second ends arranged on respective first and second frame portions of the flexible element. At least one of the first or second ends of at least one light permeable tube are attached to a corresponding first frame portion by a joining unit. Each of the at least two spatially separated light permeable tubes includes at least one light detecting device, connectable to a processing unit, and arranged at a light detecting position of a corresponding light permeable tube to detect light from at least one light emitting device through the corresponding light permeable tube and transferring information including information relating to the detected light to the processing unit, enabling the processing unit to determine the bend of the light permeable tubes.

A system that provides detection, annunciation, mitigation, and alleviation of stress attacks by executing algorithms based on measurement of intensity of light. The system determines to execute algorithms to take programmed action based on potential effects of a detected stress attack. The system can be used, for example, to determine the position of potential attacks to conduits that transport electricity, oil, gas, foodstuffs, water, people, and materials.

The present invention relates to a sensing system and a sensing method using the same. The sensing system includes at least one tested unit and an optical fiber measuring unit. The tested unit includes a container, a strain arm and a float. The container can be filled with a fluid, and the strain arm is connected with the float and combined with a measuring portion of the optical fiber measuring unit. When the container is disposed on a body of interest, the surface inclination or settlement of the body of interest would cause changes of buoyant force on the floating element and induce bending deformation of the strain arm. Accordingly, the surface deformation of the body of interest can be determined by detecting the bending deformation of the strain arm using the measuring portion combined with the strain arm.

A sensor system includes a sensor network comprising at least one optical fiber having one or more optical sensors. At least one of the optical sensors is arranged to sense vibration of an electrical device and to produce a time variation in light output in response to the vibration. A detector generates an electrical time domain signal in response to the time variation in light output. An analyzer acquires a snapshot frequency component signal which comprises one or more time varying signals of frequency components of the time domain signal over a data acquisition time period. The analyzer detects a condition of the electrical device based on the snapshot frequency component signal.

Waveguides, such as light guides, made entirely of elastomeric material or with indents on an outer surface are disclosed. These improved waveguides can be used in scissors, soft robotics, or displays. For example, the waveguides can be used in a strain sensor, a curvature sensor, or a force sensor. In an instance, the waveguide can be used in a hand prosthetic. Sensors that use the disclosed waveguides and methods of manufacturing waveguides also are disclosed.

A sensor comprises: a thin structure, which is configured to receive a force for deforming a shape of the thin structure and which is arranged above a substrate; and a waveguide for guiding an electro-magnetic wave comprising: a first waveguide part; and a second waveguide part; wherein the second waveguide part has a larger width than the first waveguide part; and wherein the first and the second waveguide parts are spaced apart by a gap which is sufficiently small such that the first and second waveguide parts unitely form a single waveguide, wherein one of the first and the second waveguide part is arranged at least partly on the thin structure and another of the first and the second waveguide part is arranged on the substrate.

A system and method for forming a low cost optical sensor array. The sensor includes an optical fiber; a first nanocomposite thin film along at least a portion of the optical fiber for interrogating a first parameter through a correlated signal having a first wavelength; and a second nanocomposite thin film along at least a portion of the optical fiber for interrogating a second parameter through a correlated signal having a second wavelength different from the wavelength of the first parameter.