Center for Advanced Research in Drying » Tip-based Optical Fiber Sensors for Continuous, In-situ Measurements of Trapped Moisture

Overview

This project aims to develop and characterize fiber optical sensors for relative humidity and moisture content sensing. These sensors will be fabricated at the tips of optical fibers (~250 micrometers in diameter) and are designed to be embedded inside food samples or inserted in food processing machines for continuous measurements with minimum invasion. Water molecules (trapped moisture) will be absorbed by the sensor, changing the effective refractive index of its sensing layer, which can be precisely read out through the same fiber optically. Fiber color sensors will also be developed and packaged together with the moisture sensor, to allow food color measurements both on and below the food surface. The ultimate goal is to develop a highly sensitive relative humidity/moisture sensor and the corresponding readout system that are portable and can perform measurements in real time for automatic process control.