Strain sensor based on embedded fiber Bragg grating in thermoplastic polyurethane using the 3D printing technology for improved sensitivity
Strain sensor based on embedded fiber Bragg grating in thermoplastic polyurethane using the 3D printing technology for improved sensitivity
A new and easy-to-fabricate strain sensor has been developed, based on fiber Bragg grating (FBG) technology embedded into a thermoplastic polyurethane filament using a 3-dimensional (3D) printer. Taking advantage of the flexibility and elastic properties of the thermoplastic polyurethane material, the embedding of the FBG provides durable protection with enhanced flexibility and sensitivity, as compared to the use of a bare FBG. Results of an evaluation of its performance have shown that the FBG sensors embedded in this way can be applied effectively in the measurement of strain, with an average wavelength responsivity of 0.013 5 nm/cm of displacement for tensile strain and −0.014 2 nm/cm for compressive strain, both showing a linearity value of up to 99%. Furthermore, such an embedded FBG-based strain sensor has a sensitivity of ∼1.74 times greater than that of a bare FBG used for strain measurement and is well protected and suitable for in-the-field use. It is also observed that the thermoplastic polyurethane based (TPU-based) FBG strain sensor carries a sensitivity value of ∼2.05 times higher than that of the polylactic acid based (PLA-based) FBG strain sensor proving that TPU material can be made as the material of choice as a “sensing” pad for the FBG.
3D printing technology, fiber Bragg grating, Fiber-optic sensors, multiple-point strain measurement
Ahmad, Harith
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Alias, Mohamad Ashraff
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Ismail, Mohammad Faizal
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Ismail, Nor Najwa
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Zaini, Muhammad Khairol Annuar
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Lim, Kok Sing
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Brambilla, Gilberto
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Grattan, Kenneth T.V.
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Rahman, B. M.Azizur
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September 2022
Ahmad, Harith
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Alias, Mohamad Ashraff
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Ismail, Mohammad Faizal
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Ismail, Nor Najwa
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Zaini, Muhammad Khairol Annuar
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Lim, Kok Sing
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Brambilla, Gilberto
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Grattan, Kenneth T.V.
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Rahman, B. M.Azizur
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Ahmad, Harith, Alias, Mohamad Ashraff, Ismail, Mohammad Faizal, Ismail, Nor Najwa, Zaini, Muhammad Khairol Annuar, Lim, Kok Sing, Brambilla, Gilberto, Grattan, Kenneth T.V. and Rahman, B. M.Azizur
(2022)
Strain sensor based on embedded fiber Bragg grating in thermoplastic polyurethane using the 3D printing technology for improved sensitivity.
Photonic Sensors, 12 (3), [220302].
(doi:10.1007/s13320-021-0646-1).
Abstract
A new and easy-to-fabricate strain sensor has been developed, based on fiber Bragg grating (FBG) technology embedded into a thermoplastic polyurethane filament using a 3-dimensional (3D) printer. Taking advantage of the flexibility and elastic properties of the thermoplastic polyurethane material, the embedding of the FBG provides durable protection with enhanced flexibility and sensitivity, as compared to the use of a bare FBG. Results of an evaluation of its performance have shown that the FBG sensors embedded in this way can be applied effectively in the measurement of strain, with an average wavelength responsivity of 0.013 5 nm/cm of displacement for tensile strain and −0.014 2 nm/cm for compressive strain, both showing a linearity value of up to 99%. Furthermore, such an embedded FBG-based strain sensor has a sensitivity of ∼1.74 times greater than that of a bare FBG used for strain measurement and is well protected and suitable for in-the-field use. It is also observed that the thermoplastic polyurethane based (TPU-based) FBG strain sensor carries a sensitivity value of ∼2.05 times higher than that of the polylactic acid based (PLA-based) FBG strain sensor proving that TPU material can be made as the material of choice as a “sensing” pad for the FBG.
Text
s13320-021-0646-1
- Version of Record
More information
e-pub ahead of print date: 18 January 2022
Published date: September 2022
Additional Information:
This work was financially supported by a Newton Fund Impact Scheme under the Newton-Ungku Omar Fund Partnership (Grant No. IF022-2020). The grant is funded by the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT) and delivered by the British Council and MIGHT. The authors are also pleased to acknowledge the support from University of Malaya (Grant Nos. RK021-2019 and TOP100PRC). Grattan also acknowledges the support from the Royal Academy of Engineering.
Keywords:
3D printing technology, fiber Bragg grating, Fiber-optic sensors, multiple-point strain measurement
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 471062
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/471062
ISSN: 1674-9251
PURE UUID: 3fa46c4b-6a33-462a-9782-9907108de2e8
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Date deposited: 25 Oct 2022 16:37
Last modified: 18 Mar 2024 02:53
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Contributors
Author:
Harith Ahmad
Author:
Mohamad Ashraff Alias
Author:
Mohammad Faizal Ismail
Author:
Nor Najwa Ismail
Author:
Muhammad Khairol Annuar Zaini
Author:
Kok Sing Lim
Author:
Gilberto Brambilla
Author:
Kenneth T.V. Grattan
Author:
B. M.Azizur Rahman
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