Multimaterial fiber sensors

Abstract

Recent discoveries have enabled the integration of metals, insulators and semiconductors structures into extended length of polymer fibers. This has heralded a novel path and platform towards sensing of different physical quantities such as temperature, chemicals, acoustic waves, and optical signals. The challenges and opportunities associated with this new class of fiber devices will be presented. In particular, we will discuss the materials and fabrication approach of multimaterial fibers. We will then present the latest results on photodetecting fiber sensors patterning to their performance and use in novel sensing designs. We will also introduce the recent development of active fiber devices that integrate a thin ferroelectric polymer layer for acoustic sensing applications. Finally, some aspects of the coming innovation and future prospect of the multimaterial fiber sensing technology will be discussed.