Abstract: A method for detecting a state of an energy storage device (e.g. lithium-ion battery) is provided, which includes acquiring at least one of a change signal of a temperature or a change signal of a pressure inside the energy storage device, and determining the state of the energy storage device based thereon. The method may further include triggering a warning when the state of the energy storage device meets a preset condition, such as when the energy storage device is determined to be in an irreversible state, an internal short circuit state, a safety valve opening state, or a thermal runaway state. A detection device implementing the detection method is also provided, which comprises a sensing module and an analyzing module. The sensing module is arranged at an interior position of the energy storage device, and can include an optical sensor and/or an electrical sensor.

Abstract: An in-situ and in-operando internal state detecting system for an energy storage device comprises a first acoustic signal-emitting acoustic signal emission module, an interior-residing optical sensing module, and a first input optical signal-providing signal demodulation module. The optical sensing module receives a second acoustic signal when the first acoustic signal transmits inside the energy storage device, and outputs a first optical signal, which is demodulated and analyzed by the signal demodulation module to obtain acoustic feature information. Optionally, the signal demodulation module also provides a second input optical signal, and the optical sensing module outputs a second optical signal, which is analyzed by the signal demodulation modulation module to obtain optical feature information.

Abstract: A method and system for in operando, in situ, and real-time monitoring the state of an electrochemical device, e.g. battery, is provided, which is by means of an optical fiber probe inside the electrochemical device. The method includes: shedding an input light into the optical fiber probe and detecting an output light transmitted therefrom; and determining state of health of the electrochemical device based on the output light. The determination step can be based on a change of the refractive index or of the cladding mode or the surface plasmon resonance, all derived from the output light, in the instant state compared to a prior state. The method can simultaneously detect other parameters including state of charge, temperature, pressure, strain, displacement, vibration, or gas release inside the electrochemical device. With a core mode for correction, the determination of these parameters can also realize a high accuracy.

Abstract: A fiber-optic sensing apparatus is provided, including an outer sleeve, an optical fiber sensor arranged within the outer sleeve, and a filling medium. The optical fiber sensor is capable of detecting a change of a refractive index or a change of surface plasmon waves over an outer surface of the outer sleeve. The filling medium may have a matching refractive index with the outer sleeve and with the optical fiber sensor. The outer sleeve may be exposed directly to the outside medium, or may be coated with at least one functional film layer such as a surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-active base film layer, or a reactive film layer that is reactive to a target molecule in the outside medium.

Abstract: A fiber-optic sensing apparatus, system, and method for characterizing at least one metal ion in a solution are provided. The sensing apparatus includes a fiber-optic sensor and a controller. The sensor includes an optical fiber with tilted grating in its core, and includes a conductive and surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-active coating assembly that allows the sensor to also serve as an electrochemical working electrode. The controller is electrically connected with the sensor, configured to provide an adjustable potential such that when the coating assembly is in contact with the solution, redox reactions of each of the at least one metal ion occur on an outer surface thereof, resulting in a detectable change of the surface plasmon waves generated in the fiber-optic sensor. Based on the change thus detected, identities and/or concentration of the at least one metal ion in the solution can be determined with high accuracy and sensitivity.

Abstract: An optical fiber sensing apparatus, system, and method capable of in operando and/or in situ monitoring a state of charge (SOC) of an energy storage device such as a capacitor or a battery is provided. The apparatus comprises an optical fiber having a surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-stimulating structure, exemplarily including a tilted grating in a core, and a SPR-active layer coating a cladding, of the optical fiber. The apparatus is configured such that when arranged in a close proximity with an electrode of the energy storage device, SPR waves are stimulated upon receiving an actuating light. Through analysis of signals of the SPR waves, the SOC of the energy storage device can be determined. The apparatus can also be utilized to capture non-SPR optical waves, analysis of which can further derive information such as temperature, pressure, strain, etc. of the energy storage device and/or be used for calibration.

Abstract: A sensing apparatus for detecting at least one target molecule in a gaseous medium is provided, comprising an optical fiber having a core with a tilted grating, and a coating assembly. The coating assembly has a composite film layer having an outer surface in direct contact with the gaseous medium, and contains at least two compositions mixed with one another therein, which include one or more surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-active compositions and one or more reacting compositions that are reversibly reactive to the at least one target molecule. Depending on different reacting compositions, the sensing apparatus can detect various target gas molecules such as hydrogen, ammonia, methane, and formaldehyde, etc. The sensing apparatus has relatively fast response time and high resistance to deactivation. A sensing system based on the sensing apparatus, a manufacturing method of the sensing apparatus, and a detection method using the sensing system, are further provided.

Abstract: A sensing apparatus for detecting at least one target molecule in a gaseous medium is provided, comprising an optical fiber having a core with a tilted grating, and a coating assembly. The coating assembly has a composite film layer having an outer surface in direct contact with the gaseous medium, and contains at least two compositions mixed with one another therein, which include one or more surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-active compositions and one or more reacting compositions that are reversibly reactive to the at least one target molecule. Depending on different reacting compositions, the sensing apparatus can detect various target gas molecules such as hydrogen, ammonia, methane, and formaldehyde, etc. The sensing apparatus has relatively fast response time and high resistance to deactivation. A sensing system based on the sensing apparatus, a manufacturing method of the sensing apparatus, and a detection method using the sensing system, are further provided.

Abstract: A sensing apparatus, system, and use method for selective detection of a target molecule in a gaseous medium with a limit of detection of less than 50 ppm are provided. The sensing apparatus comprises an optical fiber having a core with a tilted grating, and a coating assembly that is both active to surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and reversibly reactive to the target molecule to allow for repeated detection. Upon a compatible light propagating in the optical fiber, surface plasmon waves at an interface between the coating assembly and the medium can be generated to thereby derive information of the target molecule. Signals from core mode optical waves can additionally be used as inherent reference to remove influences of fluctuations from environmental factors and input power level. There is at least one range of concentrations for the target molecule allowing for linear measurement. Multiplexing of a plurality of sensing apparatuses is also disclosed.