Investigation of High-Resolution Distributed Fiber Sensing System Embedded in Flexible Silicone Carpet for 2D...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Optoelectronics

Background:

• Fiber-optic sensors excel at measuring physical properties like temperature, strain, and pressure.
• Distributed sensing using optical frequency domain reflectometry enables high-resolution mapping of physical properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To construct and evaluate a 2D sensing carpet utilizing distributed fiber sensing.
• To map local pressure applied to the carpet with high spatial resolution.

Main Methods:

• Embedding a single-mode optical fiber in a specific parallel-line configuration within a soft silicone carpet.
• Investigating various fiber fixation methods for optimal characterization and response.
• Utilizing optical frequency domain reflectometry for distributed sensing.

Main Results:

• Achieved a 2D distributed pressure mapping with a resolution of 2 mm by 2 mm over a 2 cm by 6 cm surface.
• Identified optimal fiber embedding for enhanced pressure sensitivity (0.373 pm/kPa).
• Validated the sensing carpet's consistency across different regions.

Conclusions:

• Demonstrated the feasibility of a 2D fiber-optic sensing carpet for accurate pressure mapping.
• The developed system offers a high-resolution platform for analyzing pressure distribution on surfaces.
• This technology holds potential for detailed biomaterial characterization and other applications.