Abstract
This work describes an in-fiber Michelson interferometer inclinometer which is sensitive to curvature applied in the tapered region. The performance of this inclinometer is evaluated by calculating the variation of the fringe visibility near the 1550 nm spectral range as a function of the tilt angle. It is presented the results of four experimental measurements and calculated the average and standard deviation of those measurements. The results indicate a good response of the sensor within the angular range between 3 degrees and 6 degrees. The average of those four measurements is around -0.15/degrees and the greatest standard deviation is about 5.5%.

Abstract
A Mach-Zehnder sensor based on a large knot fiber resonator with a diameter of a few millimeters is designed using a single long taper. The long taper of some centimeters is fabricated with a CO2 laser technique. In air, light cannot couple between adjacent sections in the knot, and no signal is observed. However, in liquid, light is less confined and there is coupling between adjacent sections of the knot, resulting in a phase difference and consequent interference. The Mach-Zehnder is formed by the two contact points in the knot. The refractive index sensing of liquid compounds is achieved by monitoring the wavelength shift of the spectra. A sensitivity of 642 +/- 29 nm/refractive index unit (RIU) is achieved for refractive index sensing in the range of 1.3735-1.428 with a resolution of 0.009 RIU. For temperature sensing, a sensitivity of -42 +/- 9 pm/degrees C is observed. A low influence of temperature in the refractive index change is observed: 6.5 x 10(-5) RIU/degrees C.

Abstract
This work addresses the experimental identification of mode I cohesive law of wood bonded joints. The approach combines the double cantilever beam (DCB) test with both digital image correlation (DIC) and embedded fibre Bragg grating (FBG) sensors. The spectrum geometric mean of the FBG reflected spectral response was determined, and the wavelength evolution was used to define the fracture process zone (FPZ) development phase. This evaluation allowed a consistent selection of experimental range of over which the identification procedure of mode I cohesive law is build up. Mode I crack length, Resistancecurve and cohesive law parameters are characterised and discussed. The strain energy release rate (G(I)) is determined from the P-delta curve by the compliance-based beam method (CBBM). The crack tip opening displacement (w(1)) is determined by post-processing displacements measured by DIC. The cohesive law in mode I (sigma(1)-w(1)) is then obtained by numerical differentiation of the G(1)-w(1) relationship.

Abstract
In this work, a Fabry-Perot optical fiber sensor for the measurement of strain at extreme temperatures is proposed. The cavity is formed by splicing a short section of a silica tube between two sections of single mode fiber. The tube, with a cladding similar to 14 mu m thick and a hollow core, presents four small rods, of similar to 20 mu m in diameter each, positioned in in diametrically opposite positions. This design ensures higher mechanical stability of the tube. Strain measurements are performed over a wide range of temperatures, until 900 degrees C. Some of the annealing effects are addressed in this study.

Abstract
In this study, a multimodal interferometer based on a suspended core photonic crystal fiber (PCF) for simultaneous strain and temperature measurements is proposed. The structure is also employed for angle measurements. The sensor comprises a 3-mm-suspended core PCF between SMFs and is based on the combination of two multimodal interferences with different frequency fringe patterns. The interferometric patterns show different sensitivity responses to strain and temperature. Through a low-pass frequency filtering of the detected spectrum, the wavelength shift of the two patterns can be measured allowing the discrimination of strain and temperature effects with resolutions of 0.45 degrees C and 4.02 mu epsilon, respectively. The sensor is also characterized for angle measurements showing a maximum sensitivity of 9.17 pm/degrees in the range from 0 degrees to 90 degrees. It is demonstrated that with this sensing structure is possible to obtain simultaneous measurement of bend angle and temperature with resolutions of 1.69 degrees and 0.92 degrees C, respectively.

Abstract
Engineering techniques used to evaluate strain-stress fields, materials' mechanical properties, and load transfer mechanisms, among others, are useful tools in the study of biomechanical applications. These engineering tools, as experimental and numerical ones, were imported to biomechanics, in particular in dental biomechanics, a few decades ago. Several experimental techniques have been used in dental biomechanics, like photoelasticity, ESPI (Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry), strain gages, and other kinds of transducers. However, these techniques have some limitations. For instance, photoelasticity and ESPI give the overall field pattern of the strain, showing the stress-strain concentration points. These methods cannot give an accurate measurement at all points. On the contrary, strain gages can be used to perform local measurements. However, as they use electrical resistances, their use is limited to perform in vivo measurements. Optical fiber sensors have already been used in dentistry, for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, and in dental biomechanics studies. Lasers have also been used in clinical dentistry for a few decades. Other optical technologies, like optical coherence tomography (OCT), became suitable for dental practice and nowadays it is perhaps one that has had more development in dentristry, along with lasers.