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Brake Fluid Condition Monitoring by a Fiber Optic Sensor Using Silica Nanomaterials as Sensing Components
Mayza Ibrahim1, Stanislav Petrík1
1Department of Advanced Materials, Institute for Nanomaterials, Advanced Technologies and Innovation, Technical University of Liberec, Studentská 1402/2, 46001 Liberec, Czech Republic.
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
|April 27, 2024
Summary
This study introduces a novel optical fiber sensor using silica nanofibers or aerogel for real-time brake fluid monitoring. The developed sensor offers enhanced sensitivity and accuracy for improved automotive safety.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Optical Sensing
- Automotive Engineering
Background:
- Engine oil monitoring sensors are common, but secure online methods for brake fluid condition monitoring are lacking.
- Brake fluid condition is critical for vehicle safety, necessitating advanced monitoring solutions.
- Existing methods for brake fluid analysis are often offline and not integrated into vehicle systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a hybrid silica nanofiber/aerogel integrated with an optical fiber sensor for online brake fluid condition monitoring.
- To enhance the sensitivity and accuracy of optical fiber sensors for brake fluid analysis.
- To investigate the impact of water absorption on brake fluid and sensor materials.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a hybrid silica nanofiber mat and silica aerogel integrated with an optical fiber sensor.
- Optimization of an air gap between the optical fiber and sensing material to enhance sensitivity.
- Characterization of sensor performance, including sensitivity, response time, repeatability, and uncertainty levels.
- Analysis of the effect of water absorption on the refractive index of brake fluid and silica nanomaterials.
Main Results:
- Silica nanofibers enhanced optical fiber sensitivity by at least 3.75x; an air gap increased it by 5x (R²=0.98).
- Silica aerogel with an air gap achieved a 10x sensitivity enhancement.
- The sensor demonstrated a response time of ~15 min, 90% repeatability, and <5% uncertainty.
- Water absorption significantly affected the refractive index of brake fluid and silica nanomaterials.
Conclusions:
- The developed optical fiber sensor shows significant promise for real-time, online brake fluid quality monitoring in automotive applications.
- The hybrid silica nanomaterial-based sensor offers a cost-effective and reliable solution for enhancing vehicle safety.
- Further integration into vehicle electronic systems could enable proactive maintenance and prevent brake system failures.
