Ce mémoire présente la modélisation, la simulation, l’expérimentation et la conception d’une structure composite intelligente pour des mesures de haute température (jusqu’à 300 °C). Pour ce faire, une fibre à revêtement métallique, particulièrement résistante pour de tels niveaux thermiques, a été considérée et intégrée au sein d’un revêtement d'alumine. La structure composite intelligente se compose alors du substrat, du dépôt et d’un capteur à fibre optique à modulation d’intensité. Pour mener cette étude, une estimation des flux thermiques basée sur le thermogramme expérimental s’est révélée nécessaire afin d’alimenter un modèle numérique. Différents modèles ont ensuite été construits afin d’évaluer les niveaux de températures atteints en surface ainsi que les niveaux de contraintes au sein même du composite. La simulation a montré que le dépôt pouvait thermiquement être considéré comme une couche mince et que la diffusion de la chaleur au sein du dépôt et du substrat était rapide et pouvait être estimée à l'échelle de la milliseconde. La répartition des contraintes est comme on pouvait s'y attendre dépendante du flux incident mais aussi de la géométrie globale du composite. Les contraintes restent relativement uniformes lors de l'échauffement et durant leur propagation mais s’intensifient après le refroidissement. Il s'avère également que les contraintes résultantes ne sont pas symétriques dans la fibre et sont dépendantes de la position de la fibre par rapport au substrat. Après une phase de modélisation des niveaux thermiques et des contraintes susceptibles d’être atteints au sein du matériau, une phase expérimentale consistant à intégrer une fibre optique non fonctionnalisée dans un dépôt d’alumine a donc été réalisée. Les observations microscopiques en surface et en coupe ont été effectuées afin de vérifier l’intégrité de la fibre intégrée. L’adhérence mécanique des fibres a ensuite été mesurée ainsi que l’atténuation optique pendant le processus d’intégration et le comportement thermique de l’ensemble durant des cyclages thermiques. Enfin, un capteur à fibre optique à modulation d’intensité a été conçu par intégration dans un dépôt céramique réalisé par projection thermique. Un système de mesure de la température a donc été construit et les premiers essais de réponse thermique ainsi que le cyclage thermique du capteur de température ont été effectués et analysés. En concluision, cette étude démontre la faisabilité d’une structure composite intelligente par intégration d'un capteur à modulation d’intensité à fibre optique dans un dépôt céramique élaboré par projection thermique susceptible de pouvoir travailler jusqu’à des températures de 300 °C. / This paper presents the modeling, simulation, experimentation and design of a smart composite structrure for high temperature measurements (up to 300 °C). In order to achieve this goal, a high temperature resistant metal coated optical fiber was considered and integrated into alumina coating. The smart composite structure consists of a substrate, a coating and an intensity modulated optical fiber temperature sensor. Firstly, an estimation of heat flux based on a experimental thermogram was firstly carried out in order to feed a numerical modeling. Then, different modelings were built to evaluate the surface temperature levels as well as the composite stress levels. The simulation showed that the composite (substrate and coating) could be considered as a thermally thin medium, the heat propagation within the composite was fast and could be estimated at a scale of millisecond. The stresses remained relatively uniform during the heating process but intensified during the cooling process. The modeling also showed that the stresses are not symmetrical in the fiber and depend on the position of the fiber relative to the substrate. After a modeling evaluation of the thermal levels as well as the stresses that may be achieved in the composite, an experimental step integrating a optical fiber into a thermal coating was carried out. Microscopic observation of surface and cross section were conducted in order to analyze the characteristics of the integrated fiber. The mechanical strength of the integrated fiber was then measured and the optical attenuation during the integration process as well as the thermal behavior of the integrated fiber during the thermal cycling were evaluated. Finally, an intensity modulated optical fiber temperature sensor was designed and integrated into ceramic coating by thermal spraying. A temperature measuring system was designed and the first tests of the thermal response as well as thermal cycling of temperature sensor were carried out. This study demonstrates the feasibility of designing a high temperature resistant smart composite structure by integrating an intensity modulated optical fiber temperature sensor in a ceramic coating elaborated by thermal spraying.

The terms &lsquo / ground-probing radar&rsquo / , &lsquo / ground penetrating radar (GPR)&rsquo / , &lsquo / sub-surface radar&rsquo / or &lsquo / surface-penetrating radar (SPR)&rsquo / refer to various techniques for detecting and imaging of subsurface objects. Among those terms GPR is preferred and used more often. In this thesis, the depth and the position of the buried circular cylinder are determined by a GPR system which comprises of an optical fiber sensor (OFS). The system is a combination of OFS, GPR and optical communication link. In order to determine the depth and the position, first of all the electric field distribution at the OFS is obtained by integrating the Green&rsquo / s function over the induced current distribution. Those distributions are observed for different frequency and depth values. The voltages inside the distribution are measured by OFS. By changing the depth of the cylinder and the frequency of the system, various plots showing x axis displacement versus measured voltages are obtained. Those plots are related to interference fringe patterns. The position and the depth of the cylinder are obtained using interference fringe patterns. All of the studies mentioned are performed in MATLAB R2007b program. The noises of the system due to OFS are extracted using OPTIWAVE OPTISYSTEM 7.0 program. By adding those noises to the measured voltage values, the operating frequency of the system is observed.

This dissertation presents chemical sensors that are based on an emerging optical fiber sensing technology for the determination of the presence and concentration of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at low concentrations. The motivation to determine hydrogen peroxide lies on the fact that this chemical species is generated as a by-product of the operation of hydrogen-based polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), and the presence and formation of this peroxide has been associated with the chemical degradation that results in low durability of PEMFCs. Currently, there are no techniques that allow the hydrogen peroxide to be determined in situ in PEMFCs in a reliable manner, since the only report of this type of measurement was performed using electrochemical techniques, which can be affected by the environmental conditions and that can alter the proper operation of the PEMFCs. The sensors presented in this dissertation are designed to detect the presence and quantify hydrogen peroxide in solution at the conditions at which PEMFCs operate. Since they are made using fused silica optical fibers and are based on a spectroscopic technique to perform the detection of H2O2 , they are not affected by the electromagnetic fields or the harsh chemical environment inside PEMFCs. In addition, they are able to still detect the presence of H2O2 at the operating temperatures. The construction of the sensing film on the tip of an optical fiber and its small size (125 µm diameter), make the sensors here developed an ideal solution for being deployed in situ in PEMFCs, ensuring that they would be minimally invasive and that the operation of the fuel cell would not be compromised by the presence of the sensor. The sensors developed in this dissertation not only present design characteristics that are applicable to PEMFCs, they are also suitable for applications in other fields such as environmental, defense, and biological processes. / Graduate / 0548 / 0756 / 0791 / jfbotero@gmail.com

This dissertation presents chemical sensors that are based on an emerging optical fiber sensing technology for the determination of the presence and concentration of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at low concentrations. The motivation to determine hydrogen peroxide lies on the fact that this chemical species is generated as a by-product of the operation of hydrogen-based polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), and the presence and formation of this peroxide has been associated with the chemical degradation that results in low durability of PEMFCs. Currently, there are no techniques that allow the hydrogen peroxide to be determined in situ in PEMFCs in a reliable manner, since the only report of this type of measurement was performed using electrochemical techniques, which can be affected by the environmental conditions and that can alter the proper operation of the PEMFCs. The sensors presented in this dissertation are designed to detect the presence and quantify hydrogen peroxide in solution at the conditions at which PEMFCs operate. Since they are made using fused silica optical fibers and are based on a spectroscopic technique to perform the detection of H2O2 , they are not affected by the electromagnetic fields or the harsh chemical environment inside PEMFCs. In addition, they are able to still detect the presence of H2O2 at the operating temperatures. The construction of the sensing film on the tip of an optical fiber and its small size (125 µm diameter), make the sensors here developed an ideal solution for being deployed in situ in PEMFCs, ensuring that they would be minimally invasive and that the operation of the fuel cell would not be compromised by the presence of the sensor. The sensors developed in this dissertation not only present design characteristics that are applicable to PEMFCs, they are also suitable for applications in other fields such as environmental, defense, and biological processes. / Graduate / 0548 / 0756 / 0791 / jfbotero@gmail.com

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-12T20:27:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Renan Sebem.pdf: 14781648 bytes, checksum: 1c30002408823e0116831038c8c98e8c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-09-21 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This work explores the potential and shows the implementation of the long period gratings as refractive index sensors. It is proposed a sensor design where the refractive index sensitivity is improved. The design includes the use of the sensor with simple and low cost interrogation. Several manufacturing parameters are investigated and the process is enhanced to meet the design specifications, and also to obtain repeatability in the process. New ideas were proposed to manufacture tilted gratings and to control the index modulation duty cycle in a practical way with inexpensive equipment. The inscription of the fiber sensor is made by CO2 laser, point to point, with a uniform index modulation. The gratings were interrogated by an optical spectrum analyzer and also by edge filter demodulation in the 1550 nm region through an electronic board, developed in this work with automatic normalization of the signal. Results show that the refractive index sensitivity is influenced by several design and manufacturing parameters of the fiber grating. Performed experiments show a considerable increase in the refractive index sensitivity of the grating. / Este trabalho explora o potencial e demonstra a implementação das redes de período longo em fibra como sensores de índice de refração. É proposto um projeto do sensor em que a sensibilidade ao índice de refração é aperfeiçoada. O projeto contempla a utilização do sensor com interrogação de maneira simples e de baixo custo. Diversos parâmetros de fabricação são investigados e o processo é aprimorado para atingir as especificações de projeto, e também a fim da obtenção de repetibilidade no processo. Novas ideias foram propostas para fabricação de redes inclinadas e para o controle do duty cycle da modulação de índice da rede de maneira prática com equipamentos de baixo custo. A fabricação do sensor em fibra é feita através de laser de CO2, ponto a ponto, e com modulação de índice uniforme. As redes foram interrogadas através de analisador de espectro óptico e também por demodulação de borda de filtro na região de 1550 nm através de uma placa eletrônica, desenvolvida neste trabalho com normalização automática do sinal. Resultados mostram que a sensibilidade ao índice de refração é influenciada por alguns parâmetros de projeto e fabricação da rede em fibra. Experimentos realizados mostraram um aumento considerável na sensibilidade da rede ao índice de refração.

Les matériaux composites ont connu ces dernières années une forte croissance, croissance aujourd'hui renforcée par les nouvelles normes européenne visant à diminuer les émissions CO2 d'ici 2020. La réalisation de pièces complexes peut poser de nombreuses problématiques de fabrication comme la formation de zones sèches, ou la création de distorsions géométriques. Les origines de ces problématiques sont souvent liées à un manque de connaissance et de maîtrise des phases d'imprégnation des renforts et de cuisson du matériau. L'amélioration de la robustesse des procédés nécessite d'avoir une connaissance fine des phénomènes physiques qui ont lieu lors de l'élaboration. Dans cette perspective, les procédés d'élaboration de matériaux composites ont été étudiés à travers la mise en place d'un démonstrateur de laboratoire dans le cadre du projet LCM Smart. Ce pilote d'injection a permis de valider des solutions d'instrumentation, à partir de capteurs innovants (OFS) développés en partenariat avec le laboratoire d'optique Hubert Curien.L'application de cette instrumentation dans le cadre du suivi du procédé RTM a démontré les capacités des OFS pour le suivi des caractéristiques physiques de la pièce (le front d'écoulement, la température, les déformations résiduelles et le degré de cuisson). La comparaison des caractéristiques mesurées avec des simulations numériques effectuées en collaboration avec ESI, a montré une bonne corrélation.Enfin, l'instrumentation a permis de mettre en évidence l’intérêt d’un outillage composite en HexTool pour la réduction des contraintes résiduelles liées à l'interaction outil/pièce. / A significant growth in production and consumption of composite materials can be seen recently; growth reinforced by the new European standards, aimed at reducing CO2 emissions by the year 2020.The producing of complex parts can cause many difficulties for manufacturing because of their geometries and / or their constituents (using of various materials). For example, dry zones or geometric distortion formation. The origins of these difficulties are often related to a lack of knowledge and control of the reinforcement's impregnation phases and material curing.Improving the robustness of the processes demands a detailed knowledge of physical phenomena that occur during the producing. For this, we studied the composite materials production through the implementation of a laboratory demonstrator in the project LCM Smart. This pilot injection was used to validate instrumentation solutions, from innovative sensors (OFS) developed in partnership with the optical laboratory Hubert Curien. The application of this instrumentation in the context of RTM process monitoring in the development of simple parts has demonstrated the capabilities of OFS to control physical characteristics of the part (the flow front, temperature, residual strain and curing degree). The comparison of the measured characteristics with numerical simulations carried out in collaboration with ESI showed a good correlation.Finally, instrumentation has demonstrated the capacity of composite tool made by HexTool to minimize the residual stresses due to the tool/part interaction.

Este trabalho teve por objetivo desenvolver e caracterizar um sensor de força utilizando uma fibra óptica modificada pelo processo conhecido como Fiber tapering. A fibra quando modificada deixa exposto o campo evanescente, o que a torna sensível a influências externas, e a luz guiada na fibra pode vir a sofrer reflexão interna total frustrada ao entrar em contato com materiais. Ao envolver a região modificada por um material elastomérico, a área de contato e consequentemente a atenuação torna-se uma função da intensidade da força aplicada, possibilitando então relacionar a força a atenuação da luz. Baseando-se nesse efeito, foi criado um sensor de dimensões reduzidas, de rápida resposta, linear, altamente sensível e de boa repetibilidade. Foi criado também um circuito eletrônico utilizando amplificadores operacionais para a aquisição e processamento do sinal proveniente da fibra e selecionado um sensor comercial comum para a realização de experimentos e comparações. Ambos os sensores foram posicionados sobre uma balança de precisão e submetidos a diversos esforços obtendo-se dados sobre a resposta estática. Em seguida utilizando um shaker eletrodinâmico foram medidos os tempos de resposta a uma entrada degrau, e realizando esforços repetitivos foram analisados os desvios das medidas lidas pelos sensores. / The aim of this research was to develop and characterize a force sensor using a modified optical fiber by a process known as Fiber tapering. The modified fiber leaves the evanescent field exposed and prone to external influences and the guided light may suffer frustration of total internal reflection upon contact with materials. When covering the modified fiber section with an elastomeric material, the contact area and therefore the attenuation becomes a function of the applied pressure, making it possible to relate force to attenuation in light intensity. Based on this effect, a small sensor was created, having a quick response time, with high linearity, high sensitivity and good repeatability. Along with the sensor, an electronic circuit using operational amplifiers was designed for acquisition and processing of the signal obtained from the optical fiber. In addition, in order to perform experiments and comparisons, a standard force sensor was chosen. Both sensors were placed over a precision weighing scale and had different intensities of force applied on them, and after that, data regarding static measurements was gathered. The response time was obtained using an electrodynamic shaker and applying a step input. Furthermore, data was gathered about the deviations on the measurements by performing a repetitive set of compressions.

[EN] Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) is a discipline that quantitatively assesses the integrity and performance of infrastructures, relying on sensors, and support the development of efficient Maintenance and Rehabilitation (M&R) plans. Optical Multicore Fiber (MCF) Shape Sensors offer an innovative alternative to traditional methods and enable the reconstruction of the deformed shape of structures directly and in real-time, with no need of computation models or visual contact and exploiting all the advantages of Optical Fiber Sensors (OFS) technology. Despite the intense research efforts centered on this topic by research groups worldwide, a comprehensive investigation on the parameters that influence the performance of these sensors has not been conducted yet. The first part of the thesis presents a numerical study that examines the effects of strain measurement accuracy and core position errors on the performance of optical multicore fiber shape sensors in sensing three-dimensional curvature, which is at the basis of shape reconstruction. The analysis reproduces the strain measurement process using Monte Carlo Method (MCM) and identifies several parameters which play a key role in the phenomenon, including core spacing (distance between outer cores and sensor axis), number of cores and curvature measured. Finally, a set of predictive models were calibrated, by fitting the results of the simulations, to predict the sensors performance. Afterward, an experimental study is proposed to evaluate the performance of optical multicore fiber in sensing shape, with particular focus on the influence of strain sensors length. Two shape sensors were fabricated, by inscribing long (8.0 mm) and short (1.5 mm) Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBG) into the cores of a multicore seven-core fiber. Thus, the performance of the two sensors was assessed and compared, at all the necessary phases for shape reconstruction: strain sensing, curvature calculation and shape reconstruction. To conclude, an innovative approach, based on the Saint-Venant's Torsion Theory, is presented to determine the twisting of multicore fiber and to compensate the errors due to twisting during shape reconstruction. The efficiency of the theoretical approach was then corroborated performing a series of twisting tests on a shape sensor, fabricated by inscribing FBGs sensors into an optical spun multicore seven-core fiber. The investigation of the mechanical behavior of multicore optical shape sensors has synergically involved diverse disciplines: Solid Mechanics, Photonics, Statistics and Data Analysis. Such multidisciplinary research has arisen from the prolific cooperation between the Institutes of the Institute of Science and Technology of Concrete (ICITECH) and the Institute of Telecommunications and Multimedia Applications (iTEAM) - Photonics Research Labs (PRL) - of Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), in addition to valuable collaboration with other members of the European ITN-FINESSE project, to which this work belongs. This research work aims to enhance the performance optical multicore fiber shape sensors and support the development of new sensor geometries, with great potential for structural health monitoring applications. / [ES] La Monitorización de la Salud Estructural (MSE) evalúa cuantitativamente la integridad y el comportamiento de las infraestructuras y permite desarrollar planes eficaces de Mantenimiento y Rehabilitación (M&R), utilizando los datos de los sensores. Sensores de forma basados en fibra óptica multinúcleo ofrecen una alternativa a los métodos tradicionales y permiten la reconstrucción de la deformada de estructuras de forma directa y en tiempo real, sin necesidad de modelos de cálculo o contacto visual y con todas las ventajas de la tecnología de los Sensores de Fibra Óptica (SFO). A pesar de los grandes esfuerzos en la investigación centrada en este tema por parte de los grupos de investigación de todo el mundo, todavía no se ha realizado una investigación exhaustiva que estudie los parámetros que influyen en el comportamiento de estos sensores. En la primera parte de la tesis se presenta un estudio numérico en el que se examinan los efectos de la precisión de la medición de la tensión y los errores de posición del núcleo en el comportamiento de los sensores de forma basados en fibra óptica multinúcleo para definir la curvatura tridimensional, que es la base de la reconstrucción de la forma. El análisis reproduce el proceso de medición de la tensión utilizando el método de Monte Carlo (MC) e identifica una serie de parámetros que desempeñan un papel en el proceso, entre ellos la separación del núcleo (distancia entre los núcleos exteriores y el eje del sensor), el número de núcleos y la curvatura medida. Por último, se calibró un conjunto de modelos de predicción ajustando los resultados de las simulaciones para predecir el comportamiento de los sensores. A continuación, se propone un estudio experimental para evaluar el comportamiento de los sensores de forma basado en fibra óptica multinúcleo, con especial atención en la influencia de la longitud de los sensores de deformación. Se fabricaron dos sensores de forma, inscribiendo Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBG) con longitudes de 8,0 mm y 1,5 mm en los núcleos de una fibra multinúcleo de siete núcleos. Así, se evaluó y comparó el comportamiento de los dos sensores en todas las fases necesarias para la reconstrucción de la forma, incluyendo la medición de la tensión, el cálculo de la curvatura y la reconstrucción de la forma. Para concluir, se presenta un enfoque innovador, basado en la Teoría de la Torsión de Saint-Venant, para determinar la torsión de la fibra multinúcleo y compensar los errores debidos a la torsión durante la reconstrucción de la forma. La eficiencia del enfoque teórico fue verificada realizando una serie de pruebas de torsión en un sensor de forma, fabricado inscribiendo los sensores de FBGs en una fibra óptica multinúcleo torcida y siete núcleos. La investigación del comportamiento mecánico de los sensores ópticos de forma multinúcleo ha involucrado sinérgicamente diversas disciplinas: Mecánica del sólido, Fotónica, Estadística y Análisis de datos. Esta investigación multidisciplinaria ha surgido de la prolífica cooperación entre el Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología del Hormigón (ICITECH) y el Instituto de Telecomunicaciones y Aplicaciones Multimedia (iTEAM) - Laboratorio de Investigación Fotónica (LIF) - de la Universidad Politécnica de Valencia (UPV), además de la valiosa colaboración con otros miembros del proyecto europeo ITN-FINESSE, al que pertenece este trabajo. Este trabajo de investigación puede permitir mejorar el comportamiento de los sensores de forma basados en fibra óptica multinúcleo y apoyar el desarrollo de nuevas geometrías de sensores, con un gran potencial para aplicaciones de control de la salud estructural. / [CA] Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) avalua quantitativament la integritat i el comportament de les infraestructures i permet desenrotllar plans eficaços de Maintenance and Rehabilitation (M&R), utilitzant les dades dels sensors. Optical Multicore Fiber (MCF) Shape Sensors oferixen una alternativa als mètodes tradicionals i permeten la reconstrucció de la forma de la deformació de les estructures de forma directa i en temps real, sense necessitat de models de càlcul o contacte visual i amb tots els avantatges de l'Optical Fiber Sensors (OFS) Technology. A pesar dels grans esforços en la investigació centrada en aquest tema per part dels grups d'investigació de tot el món, encara no s'ha realitzat una investigació exhaustiva que estudie els paràmetres que influïxen en el comportament d'aquestos sensors. En la primera part de la tesi es presenta un estudi numèric en què s'examinen els efectes de la precisió del mesurament de la tensió i els errors de posició del nucli en el comportament dels sensors de forma basats en fibra òptica multinucli per a definir la curvatura tridimensional, que és la base de la reconstrucció de la forma. L'anàlisi reproduïx el procés de mesurament de la tensió utilitzant el mètode de Monte Carlo (MC) i identifica una sèrie de paràmetres que exercixen un paper en el procés, entre ells la separació del nucli (distància entre els nuclis exteriors i l'eix del sensor), el nombre de nuclis i la mesura de la curvatura. Finalment, es va calibrar un conjunt de models de predicció ajustant els resultats de les simulacions per a predir el comportament dels sensors. A continuació, es proposa un estudi experimental per a avaluar el comportament dels sensors de forma basat en fibra òptica multinucli, amb especial atenció en la influència de la longitud dels sensors de deformació. Es van fabricar dos sensors de forma, inscrivint Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBG) amb longituds de 8,0 mm i 1,5 mm en els nuclis d'una fibra multinucli de set nuclis. Així, es va avaluar i es va comparar el comportament dels dos sensors en totes les fases necessàries per a la reconstrucció de la forma, incloent el mesurament de la tensió, el càlcul de la curvatura i la reconstrucció de la forma. Per a concloure, es presenta un enfocament innovador, basat en la Teoria de la Torsió de Saint-Venant, per a determinar la torsió de la fibra multinucli i compensar els errors deguts a la torsió durant la reconstrucció de la forma. L'eficiència de l'enfocament teòric va ser verificada realitzant una sèrie de proves de torsió en un sensor de forma, fabricat inscrivint els sensors de FBGs en una fibra òptica de set nuclis de filat múltiple. La investigació del comportament mecànic dels sensors òptics de forma multinucli ha involucrat sinèrgicament diverses disciplines: Mecànica del sòlid, Fotónica, Estadística i Anàlisi de dades. Aquesta investigació multidisciplinària ha sorgit de la prolífica cooperació entre l'Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia del Formigó (ICITECH) i l'Institut de Telecomunicacions i Aplicacions Multimèdia (iTEAM) - Laboratori de investigación fotònica (LIF) - de la Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), a més de la valuosa col·laboració amb altres membres del projecte europeu ITN- FINESSE, al qual pertany aquest treball. Aquest treball d'investigació pot permetre millorar el comportament dels sensors de forma basats en fibra òptica multinucli i ajudar al desenrotllament de noves geometries de sensors, amb un gran potencial per a aplicacions de control de la salut estructural. / Floris, I. (2020). Optical Multicore Fiber Shape Sensors. A numerical and experimental performance assessment [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/148715 / TESIS

A fatigue test has been performed on 7075-T651 aluminum specimens which were bonded with polyimide coated optical fibers with discrete Bragg gratings. These fibers were bonded with AE-10 strain gage adhesive. The results indicate that lower strain amplitudes do not produce cause for concern, but that larger strain amplitudes (on the order of 3500 μ) may cause some sensors to become unreliable. The strain response of acrylate coated optical fiber strain sensors bonded to aluminum specimens with AE-10 and M-Bond 200 strain gage adhesives was investigated with both axial and cantilever beam tests. These results were compared to both the strain response of conventional strain gages and to model predictions. The results indicate that only about 82.6% of the strain in the specimen was transferred through the glue line and fiber coating into the fiber. Thus, multiplying by a strain transfer factor of approximately 1.21 was sufficient to correct the optical fiber strain output. This effect was found to be independent of the adhesive used and independent of the three-dimensional profile of the glue line used to attach the fiber. Finally, this effect did not depend on whether the fiber had a polyimide or an acrylate coating. Further investigation was conducted on the feasibility of using optical fiber strain sensors for monitoring subcritical damage (such as matrix cracks) in fiber reinforced composite materials. These results indicate that an array of optical fibers which monitor the strain profile on both sides of a composite panel may be sufficient for these purposes / Master of Science

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is extensively used in a broad range of industrial and medical applications, such as aseptic processing of food and pharmaceuticals, disinfection, water treatment plants, and decontamination of industrial effluents. H2O2 is believed to be responsible for chemical degradation of polymer membranes in Polymer-Electrolyte-Membrane (PEM) fuel cells. Therefore, a versatile H2O2 sensor that functions in different environments with different conditions is of practical importance in various fields. This dissertation presents the fabrication of a fiber-optic H2O2 sensing probe (optrode) and its H2O2 sensing behavior in different conditions. An H2O2 optrode is fabricated using chemical deposition of Prussian blue (PB) onto the tip of a multimode optical fiber. Sensing tests are performed in aqueous solutions at a constant pH and different concentrations of H2O2. Sensing features of the optrode (i.e. repeatability, durability, and reproducibility) are assessed by performing multiple sensing tests with several optrodes. The results show the prepared optrode is able to detect concentrations of H2O2 in aqueous solutions at a constant pH of 4 and the optrode features a repeatable and durable response at this condition. The functionality of optrodes at different pH values is further investigated by performing additional sensing experiments. These experiments are carried out in aqueous solutions with different concentrations of H2O2 at different pH values (i.e. pH 2-7). The sensor detects the presence of H2O2 at a range of pH values. Sensing behavior of optrodes toward detection and measurement of H2O2 concentrations is studied at the pH value corresponding to an operating PEM fuel cell (i.e. pH 2). The optrode is able to detect concentrations of H2O2 at this condition with a repeatable and durable response. The stability of PB films, prepared through different conditions, is investigated to address the stability of optrodes at elevated temperatures. PB films are first deposited onto the glass slides through three different chemical processes, and then at different synthesis temperatures. The PB films are left in Phosphate-Buffer-Solutions (PBS) with pH 2 and at elevated temperatures for a day. Finally, PB films are characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to analyze their stability following PBS processing at operating temperatures and pH value corresponding to an operating PEM fuel cell (i.e. 80 °C and pH 2). The results of these experiments illustrate the PB films prepared through the single-source precursor (SSP) technique and at synthesis temperatures above 60 °C remain stable after the PBS processing. The proposed optrode shows reliable sensing behavior toward detection and measurement of H2O2 concentrations in aqueous solutions at different conditions. The prepared optrode has the potential for being developed and used in different industrial and medical fields, as well as an operating PEM fuel cell, to detect and measure H2O2 concentrations. / Graduate / 0794 / 0548 / 0485 / hakbarik@uvic.ca