Random-hole optical fiber for distributed pressure and strain
This technology creates optical fibers with a randomly distributed pattern of microscopic holes running along their length, formed naturally during the fiber-drawing process using gas-generating materials like silicon nitride. As the fiber is heated and pulled, the material releases gas that forms bubbles, which elongate into long, thin tubes with tapered ends — no precision drilling or complex preform stacking required. The random hole pattern acts as a cladding that guides light through the fiber core, similar to conventional photonic crystal fibers but made with a much simpler manufacturing process. A key practical feature is that these fibers are highly sensitive pressure and force sensors: applied mechanical stress causes a measurable, wavelength-dependent increase in light loss, enabling accurate pressure measurement.
What you could build
A pressure or strain sensing fiber for structural health monitoring, industrial process control, or defense applications — sold as a specialty fiber product to systems integrators building distributed sensing networks in pipelines, aerospace structures, or civil infrastructure.
Who in Virginia should care
Defense and aerospace contractors in Northern Virginia and the Hampton Roads corridor, as well as fiber optics manufacturers and naval infrastructure monitoring programs, would be plausible licensees or development partners.
Readiness: Lab validated
Concept — described but not yet demonstrated. Lab validated — supported by experimental results in the patent. Prototype likely — the text describes a built, working embodiment.
Readiness is inferred from the patent text, not from a lab visit.
The record
- Inventors
- Jeong I. KIM, Daniel KOMINSKY, Gary PICKRELL, Ahmad SAFAAI-JAZI, Roger H. STOLEN, Anbo WANG
- Granted
- October 14, 2014
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 8861912
Ready to talk?
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties handles licensing for this technology.
Prosim summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.