The SIC Academy – Smart Infrastructures & Construction Academy, coordinated by Prof. Prota Andrea, hosted a special outreach event focused on the latest advancements in optoelectronic technologies for structural monitoring.

Together with Dr. Vincenzo Romano Marrazzo, we brought a part of the OptoPowerLab to the university campus in San Giovanni a Teduccio, enabling participants to experience firsthand the potential of fiber optic sensing technologies.

A key highlight of the event was the experimental demonstration of fiber optic sensors in the context of smart infrastructures. We showcased our prototype of the Eiffel Tower, equipped with three Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors to monitor structural strain. This real-time visualization illustrated how optical fibers detect mechanical variations, offering crucial data for structural health monitoring.

Additionally, we demonstrated the interrogation of different types of FBG sensors, including “naked” and “coated” variants, as well as ceramic-packaged sensors for temperature measurements. Participants also explored the process of connecting fiber arrays containing multiple FBG sensors and witnessed fiber splicing using a “splicer,” a critical technique for ensuring signal continuity in distributed sensing networks.

The event also featured the presentation of technologies developed over the years in collaboration with Optosmart, further emphasizing the role of fiber optic sensing in building smarter, safer, and more resilient infrastructures.