Polymer fiber Bragg gratings and sensors for smart textile

Small sized fiber sensors for wearable electronics

Fiber Bragg gratings (FBG) written in polymer optical fibers (POF) have small size, high strain/temperature sensitivity and reliability of POFs, large strain measurement range, high thermal-optic coefficient, high softness and flexibility, and low cost. The POF based gratings have excellent bio-compatibility and safety, which enables polymer fiber Bragg grating sensors to be used as bio-sensors and wearable electronic devices for smart textile and apparel.

Material system for the polymer fiber Bragg grating

Fiber Bragg grating writing system

Reflection spectrum of polymer fiber Bragg grating

Specifications of FBG sensors

Special Features and Advantages

No electromagnetic interference
Small size and light weight
Easy to multiplex
High strain/ temperature sensitivity
Flexibility and ductility
Bio-compatibility

Applications

The FBG sensors have excellent bio-compatibility and the applications are enormous. For example, bio-sensors and wearable photonic devices for smart textile and apparel in sensing of strain, temperature or pressure.

Principal Investigator

Prof. Xiaoming TAO

Institute of Textiles and Clothing

Download PDF version