From sensorial to smart materials: Intelligent optical sensor network for embedded applications

The development of embedded sensors, connected to a large-scale sensor network and integrated within the host material, is a first step toward intelligent sensorial materials. This article discusses selected common sensor principles used, in particular, for structural health monitoring in composite materials and presents a new approach developed by the authors that is based on intelligent electronic sensor nodes, interconnected by optical fibers. Both a high-speed data link and power supply are realized via the optical fibers, making batteries or other local energy sources for the sensor nodes superfluous.