This coursework project is worth 6 credits, so you should spend a total of about 60 hours working on it, including the time to write the report.

- The report should be no longer than 12 pages (excluding frontpage, table of contents, references and appendixes) and, must be submitted through Moodle on or before 3pm Monday the 11th of November 2024.

A penalty of 5 marks will be imposed for each working day late submission.

1. Background

You have recently been appointed as an Instrumentation Engineer in a small to medium sized instrumentation company. You report directly to the technical director (TD). The company works as an Engineering technology solution provider with expertise in physical measurements. They supply solutions for temperature, strain and pressure measurements for different kinds of industries. For the last 30 years, the company has been using the same type of technology, relying mainly on conventional sensors. Recently the company had a few queries from a number of clients about optical fibre sensors for distributed/quasi-distributed measurements.

2. Meeting with the technical director (your task)

After attending the company board meeting, the TD informs you that the managing director raised the possibility of developing a new range of products based on fibre optic sensing technologies. As a new member of the team and a graduate of a University of high prestige, the TD asks you for a study into   the feasibility of including such products as part of the company’s portfolio.

The TD informs you that an initial report is required for the next board meeting (to be held in 1 months’ time). This report will assist the board in deciding on future plans and it should contain a brief and general review of different types of conventional pressure, strain and temperature sensors. It should then focus on a more detailed review of the different existing commercial fibre optic sensors and the industries/areas they are currently being applied (see requirements below), followed by a prospective suggestion for other industries that can be targeted.

3. Report requirements and marks awarded:

The report must be submitted by 3pm Monday the 11th of November 2024 and must include the following:

3.1: A cover page containing a title (invented one that is relevant to the subject matter), the code and title of the module, your degree course. DO NOT include your name and student ID anywhere in the document as the marking will be anonymous. [Marks included in 3.7]

3.2: A brief review of the physical principles of operation of all types of conventional electrical sensors for measurement of temperature, strain and pressure, presented on a table, together with some examples of sensors for each measurand and technology, fully referenced. The physical principles of operation should be explained in your own words, using a clear and concise language, suitable to be taken by a person that is not an expert in the subject. [10 marks]

3.3: A focused and detailed review of all types of fibre optic sensing technologies used on currently commercially available fibre optic sensing systems for measurement of temperature, strain and pressure. For every fibre optic sensing technology, you should explain their working principle in a simple manner to a non-expert audience. A summary of any new developments (academic) is advantageous. Work is fully referenced. [20 marks]

3.4: A review of the possible markets (application areas) for the new fibre optic sensors, stating the advantages and disadvantages of the new product in comparison to the conventional ones. [15 marks]

3.5: A review of the competitive landscape in the field, and the major commercial players your new product will compete with (including pricing, geographical market location, and referenced links to websites). [20 marks]

3.6: A reflection on the peer review feedback you will receive. [10 marks]

3.7: The report should have a clear and easy-to-follow structure, so that the company TD can quickly and easily find all the necessary information before the Board Meeting. Do not forget to add a table of contents and page numbers, and make sure that the section headings are helpful in navigating the document. Don’t forget the cover page. [15 marks]

3.8: A comprehensive range of references (books/ papers/data sheets) from reputable sources. Consistent and accurate referencing format. [10 marks]