EPSRC Reference: |
EP/T00326X/1 |
Title: |
Multipoint Sensors for Extreme Environments |
Principal Investigator: |
Fells, Dr J |
Other Investigators: |
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Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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Project Partners: |
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Department: |
Engineering Science |
Organisation: |
University of Oxford |
Scheme: |
EPSRC Fellowship |
Starts: |
01 June 2020 |
Ends: |
31 May 2025 |
Value (£): |
1,226,073
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EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
Instrumentation Eng. & Dev. |
Optical Devices & Subsystems |
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EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
Aerospace, Defence and Marine |
Manufacturing |
Energy |
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Related Grants: |
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Panel History: |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
There are many applications where infrastructure and machinery operate under extreme environmental conditions, such as very high temperatures, high pressures, high magnetic fields and exposure to radiation. The ability to obtain better measurement data within these environments has the potential to enable better control systems, leading to increased safety, increased efficiency and lower environmental impact. This project will therefore research new sensor technologies which can withstand these extreme environments, whilst allowing multiple measurements to be obtained.
This project will aim to develop multi-point pressure sensors that operate up to 700C and multi-point temperature sensors that operate up to 1500C. The sensors will be in optical fibre, which can be routed around the infrastructure to allow measurements at defined points along its length. The measurement data is recovered by injecting light into one end of the optical fibre and monitoring the light which comes back. The sensors will be fabricated by exposing the optical fibre to high intensity, short pulse laser light from the side, to cause a permanent modification inside the optical fibre. A key novelty in the research is correcting for the distortion that occurs when focussing the short pulse laser light into the optical material, to enable higher precision sensor designs. The use of sapphire will be investigated to allow operation at temperatures in excess of 1000C.
The work will be conducted at the Department of Engineering Science at the University of Oxford. There will be academic collaboration with the Osney Thermofluids Institute (University of Oxford) and Cranfield University. There are industrial collaborators in the aerospace, oilfield services and space industries. There is also collaboration with the UK Atomic Energy Authority.
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Key Findings |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
Summary |
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Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Project URL: |
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Further Information: |
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Organisation Website: |
http://www.ox.ac.uk |