Optical Fibers Beyond Communication: Advances in Sensing, Imaging, and Energy Applications
A special issue of Photonics (ISSN 2304-6732). This special issue belongs to the section "Lasers, Light Sources and Sensors".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 July 2026 | Viewed by 2098
Special Issue Editors
Interests: optical fiber devices; fiber-optic sensing; marine environmental detection
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: fiber-optic sensing; optical signal processing; lithium-ion battery monitoring
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Optical fibers have long been the backbone of global telecommunications, but their potential extends far beyond data transmission. This Special Issue explores groundbreaking advancements in optical fiber technologies that are revolutionizing sensing, imaging, and energy applications. By leveraging novel materials, innovative fiber designs, and advanced signal processing techniques, researchers are unlocking unprecedented functionalities in these versatile photonic platforms.
We invite contributions that demonstrate cutting-edge developments in fiber-optic sensing innovations (distributed and multi-parameter sensors, biochemical sensing, and extreme-environment monitoring), next-generation fiber-based imaging (ultra-thin endoscopes and minimally invasive medical diagnostics, computational imaging, and hyperspectral and multimodal imaging systems), and energy applications (oil and gas, electric power, underground and underwater, and wind and solar farms).
This Special Issue seeks high-quality research articles, reviews, and case studies that highlight measurable performance improvements, novel applications, or scalable fabrication methods. Interdisciplinary studies combining photonics, materials science, AI-driven signal processing, and real-world deployment are particularly encouraged.
By showcasing the latest innovations, this collection aims to accelerate the adoption of optical fibers in next-generation technologies, from smart infrastructure and precision medicine to space exploration and sustainable energy systems.
Dr. Yunhe Zhao
Dr. Yanpeng Li
Dr. Wenjuan Sheng
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- multifunctional or multi-material fibers
- fiber-optic sensors
- environmental monitoring
- biomedical imaging
- computational imaging
- energy applications
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