Alkmaar-based Photonfirst and French naval defense firm Naval Group have started a partnership to test fiber-optic structural monitoring on surface vessels and submarines. The companies aim to provide real-time insight into strain, temperature and structural behavior under operational loads. They hope the technology will improve vessel availability and reduce maintenance requirements.
Photonfirst’s sensors use fiber Bragg gratings, structures in an optical fiber that reflect specific wavelengths of light. Changes in strain or temperature shift those wavelengths, allowing the effects to be measured. The technology is immune to electromagnetic interference and can reduce the weight and complexity of cabling, according to the partners.
Earlier this month, Photonfirst signed a memorandum of understanding with American aerospace manufacturer Bell Textron to explore the use of fiber-optic sensing technology for structural health monitoring (SHM) applications on Bell aircraft. The signing took place during the annual NL-US Defense Industry Days conference.
