Detecting Damages of Aerospace Composites with ‘Optical Fiber Sensing Neural Networks’
- KRISS Develops Optical Fiber Sensing Neural Network Technology -

The KRISS team led by Dr. Il-bum Kwon has developed the world’s first ‘optical fiber sensing neural network technology’, utilizing the independently developed optical fiber BOCDA* sensor system and aluminum-coated optical fibers. This technology is able to solve the difficulties in detecting impact damage of composite materials.

* Brillouin Optical Correlation Domain Analysis(BOCDA): A sensor operation method to identify the unique Brillouin frequency of an optical fiber at an arbitrary position

Unlike existing detection technology for damages of structurally complex composite materials, Dr. Kwon’s technology utilizes optical fibers capable of memorizing and monitoring damages of the material. In addition, the optical fiber is designed with an aluminum coating that amplifies the signal of the optical fiber more than twofold, allowing for greater accuracy in the measurement of damages.
Dr. Kwon of KRISS has stated that his team has “successfully developed a sensing neural network technology that can detect damages of structures using optical fibers similarly to how the human neural network can detect and feel pain, temperature,
pressure, etc.”, and that “the system is able to effectively detect impact damages of composite materials used widely in the industry, which are generally difficult to detect”.

The newly developed technology shows potential for wide use as measurement technology for safety inspection of spacecraft launch sites, medium and large industrial facilities and large structures in the shipbuilding sector. In addition, it is expected that ensuring the safety of composite materials will result in the greater application of composite materials in aerospace structures and the motor vehicle industry.