Projects / Programmes
Optical sensors and advanced interactive interfaces
January 1, 2013
- December 31, 2017
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.15.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Metrology |
|
| 2.09.04 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Electronic components and technologies |
Optoelectronics |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| P180 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Metrology, physical instrumentation |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.02 |
Engineering and Technology |
Electrical engineering, Electronic engineering, Information engineering |
Researchers (14)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
The proposed research programme includes fundamental and applied research within the field of modern photonics’ sensors and systems. In particular, this programme would continue to focus on the research of new fiber-optic sensor concepts and designs, technologies for the fabrication of micro-fiber-optics’ sensors and passive fiber devices, specialty optical fiber design, optoelectronics signal processing for fiber sensor interrogation, and human-to-machine interfaces.
This research program would provide continuation and in-depth investigation into optical fiber micromachining technology based on selective etching (MTBSE), which was conceptualized by our group during the previous funding period. Understanding, further development, and perfection of this potentially highly cost-effective technology would provide new opportunities for the design and production of complex photonic structures within, on-the-tip of, or along an optical fiber. MTBSE would thus form a base for the research and design of new types of complex, micro-size, all-optical-fiber sensors and other micro-photonic devices. Therefore, continuation of this research would lead to the creation of new classes of micro-sized sensors, including sensors for mechanical, fluid-mechanic, and chemical/biological sensing. Special attention would also be devoted towards thermo-optic and multi-parameter sensors. This new class of sensors would provide measurements of those parameters previously non-measurable by optical-fiber sensors, such as thermal conductivity and related parameters. Particular attention would also be given to research into specialty optical fiber, which would be expected to lead into new opportunities within the design of quasi-distributed and multiplexed sensors. An important part of the research programme’s activity would be devoted to opto-electronics’ signal processing techniques for fiber-optic sensor interrogation. This research would be directed in such a way as to take advantage of commercially and widely-available opto-electronics’ components such as, for example, telecom components (DFB diodes, passive DWDM components, etc).
Particular attention would be given to researching original and cost-effective sensing concepts. This would help mitigate major cost-related limitations regarding further expansion of fiber-optic sensing technologies into broader areas of human activity.
Significance for science
Research and development of MTBSE, micro-optics devices, micro-optics sensors, and new methods for opto-electronic signal processing would lead to new fundamentals and applied knowledge within the fields of measurements and photonics technologies. This knowledge would enable original approaches towards designing the next generation of miniature fiber-optic systems. Such systems have been broadly impacting the development of new scientific concepts in the most advanced fields such as, for example, information technologies, production technologies, bio-medical systems, etc.
Proposed research would lead to the creation of new measurement concepts for the sensing of physical, chemical, and bio-chemical parameters. The proposed concepts would be original in their design as well as in practical usability, which would enable the direct usage of research results within practical applications.
The proposed research would also cover research into interactive user interfaces. Using sensors in the route Smartphone - Sensor - Human would offer innovative and inspiring solutions for developing new, intelligent, and flexible tools that can help people within social and domestic environments, and could also facilitate their work and lives in general. An additional important issue for providing the use of sensors is the use of sensors for elderly people, which represents a new segment in the development of science, since this area still provides open opportunities for the effective and intuitive use of information and communication technologies for facilitating and maintaining quality-of-life for elderly people. Sensors can help elderly people by keeping them safe at home and enabling them to become more socialised. Sensors placed in the right places could alert monitoring services, family members, or others who could assist elderly people. One possibility would be to use movement, hearing pill sensors, and other sensors.
It is expected that the results of this research work would be published in prominent scientific journals, and patents obtained as great interest in the proposed work has already been shown in the past. This research would lead, not only to the creation of new, but also directly usable scientific concepts. The production of technology demonstrators and even early prototypes would be expected, whilst the research would be focused on collaboration amongst national and international industrial partners to ensure better linkage within the scientific sphere and industrial sectors.
Significance for the country
The programme’s group would collaborate closely with industrial partners. The programme’s group members have been actively working on the focused research projects for domestic (Hidria AET, Senčar, Kolektor-Etra, Gorenje) and foreign industrial partners (FISO Technologies - Canada, Phonak-Switzerland). The activity and research results of the group have even led to the creation of business links between domestic and foreign industrial partners. The collaboration of the group is particularly intense within the domestic company Optacore d.o.o., which specializes in the production of fiber manufacturing equipment. Optacore has gained a significant world market share in the production of specialized fiber-manufacturing equipment over the past few years. Continuation of direct collaboration with industrial partners, in particular with Optacore, would be planned during further execution of the proposed research programme. The group has filed five US patent applications during the previous period, whilst three US patents were granted within the same period. Most of these patents were transferred to industrial partners (Optacore, FISO Canada, Corning USA).
The programme’s group work would address contemporary scientific and technology fields, whilst exhibiting strong collaboration with domestic and foreign industrial partners. This would enssur a positive impact regarding the socio-economics of the group in the future. The area of photonics, which would be the main subject of the programme’s group activity, is a fairly young scientific and technological area, experiencing exceptional growth and development. The photonics industry has experienced exceptional growth within Europe and has already surpassed the microelectronics industry’s revenue. Slovenian industry has also shown interest in the development of photonic technologies, as they enable fast economic growth and competitive production with high added-value.
In the field of interactive interfaces we would expect immediate socioeconomic impacts as the proposed work would directly relate to new tools and additions that would improve the quality of life for elderly citizens. Collaboration between group’s members originating from different technical branches would form a convenient environment for the even more intensive and effective development of new technologies and products for life-improvement in the sense of healthcare, personal and traffic security, contributions to ecology etc.
In addition, the work of the program group would contribute directly to the long-term goals of national research and development strategy as it would support the development of disciplines being introduced into higher education, graduate studies, and the creation of new knowledge.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2013,
2014,
2015,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2013,
2014,
2015,
final report
