SMART SENSORS USING OPTICAL FIBER INTERCONNECTS AND DISTRIBUTED MEMS

This SBIR program would develop practical methods for the interconnection, addressing and control of large numbers of distributed MEMS-based sensing and actuation elements using optical fiber multiplexing techniques. Such interconnected sensor/actuator arrays have immediate and long-term applications in the instrumentation and control of adaptive aircraft, spacecraft and hydrocraft structures, flexible manufacturing systems and consumer products. F&S will design, implement and test optical fiber-MEMS device interconnects and multiplexing methods, and demonstrate prototype connected devices in the laboratory as well as on test articles for major ongoing Air Force and other DoD MEMS and ¿smart materials¿ programs. This will build directly on current discrete F&S optical fiber/MEMS sensor products and their use on Wright Laboratories/DARPA ¿Smart Wing,¿ ¿Smart Metallic Structures,¿ ¿Nondestructive Inspection¿ and other contracts. F&S will team with Virginia Tech's internationally-recognized optical fiber sensor research center, and Litton's microelectronics, optoelectronics and MEMS production facility to cooperatively transition research results into manufactured products. PI Michael Miller has substantial industrial experience in the R&D and manufacturing of both optical fiber and MEMS products as Advanced Products Manager at Litton. Non-Federal commercialization funding is pledged by industry and the State of Virginia.