A technical session on optical fibre sensing technologies brought together around 30 participants, including students, researchers and academic staff, as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Department of Physics at the University of Aveiro and the ongoing celebrations of the 25th anniversary of CICECO.

Organised by CICECO, Institute of Nanostructures, Nanomodelling and Nanofabrication (I3N), Inovaria and HBK FiberSensing, the session presented the trajectory and technological portfolio of HBK FiberSensing, a company headquartered in Porto with an established international presence.

The discussion focused on the development of solutions based on optical fibre sensors for real-time monitoring of structures and complex systems.

Optical fibre sensing for demanding environments

At the core of the company’s activity are fibre optic sensors, which enable accurate and continuous monitoring under challenging conditions. These systems are complemented by proprietary interrogation units that acquire and process data, ensuring reliability and consistency.

Key technical advantages include operation in environments with high humidity, pressure or electrical interference, reduced cabling requirements, scalability for large infrastructures, and high measurement precision.

The session highlighted the deployment of fibre Bragg grating (FBG) technology across multiple domains, including structural health monitoring of tunnels and bridges, wind energy systems, railway infrastructure, and the energy sector. Emerging applications in medical and surgical contexts, including precision robotics, were also addressed.

From high-performance systems to broader adoption

Although FBG-based systems involve higher initial costs compared to conventional electrical sensors, their efficiency in installation and maintenance makes them competitive in large-scale deployments. Current development efforts focus on integrated photonics and cost reduction strategies, aiming to broaden accessibility while maintaining high-performance standards.

The session provided a platform for direct interaction between researchers and industry professionals, supporting knowledge transfer and offering students insight into technological developments and future career pathways.