Abstract
A new smart structure based on fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) embedded into composite laminates for temperature and strain simultaneous measurement has been designed and experimentally tested. Two holes have been drilled at preset locations in the composite plate to create different strain sensitivities at different locations. The proposed design has been compared to three reference sensing heads also based on embedding FBGs into composite materials. Experimental results agree remarkably well with mechanical simulations and validate all the tested designs for the temperature-strain discrimination. Based on the same principle, another sensing head with a long single FBG embedded has also been designed and experimentally tested, obtaining temperature independent strain measurement.

Abstract
The intensity profile of a focused beam of light can exert small drift forces on particles with a few microns and even smaller, which can be used to confine or manipulate them. Optical trapping has several applications, in particular it has been adopted as a powerful tool in biology, allowing, for instance to manipulate in vivo single cells. A wide variety of optical setups have been implemented to optically trap microscopic bodies, however, the single beam trap using a tightly focused Gaussian beam continues to be the most used. Recent developments introduced an alternative to bulk optical trapping systems based on lensed optical fibers. This work presents simulations showing new designs of fiber optic and 2D waveguide tweezers based on studies of the forces acting on dielectric particles immersed in media with a distinct refractive index, which take into account the refractive index and structure of the particles.

Abstract
This paper presents a study of optical forces acting on dielectric particles in media of distinct refractive index. The radiation pressure forces produced by optical tweezers are calculated using the finite difference time domain method as well as the Lorentz force on electric dipoles. The model considers a 2-dimension structure composed of a waveguide and a dielectric microparticle. Furthermore, the paper presents preliminary experimental results concerning the implementation of fiber optical tweezers system based on polymeric lensed fibers.

Abstract
A simple optical inclinometer based on phase-shifted Bragg grating in a taper configuration is proposed. The phase-shifted FBG was fabricated using a DUV femtosecond laser technique in the taper region. The sensing head was characterized for different angle curvatures and also to strain. The angle and strain sensitivities of the inclinometer are 13.15 pm/degree and 8.96 pm/mu epsilon.

Abstract
This paper presents an overview of optical fiber sensors based on Fabry-Perot interferometers with a focus on high temperature applications. The next generation of these fiber types interferometers are based in photonic crystal fibers, microfabrication as well as by chemical etching of special structures. High temperature measurements with linear behavior are observed namely in un-doped fibers, i.e., with a pure silica composition. Three new configurations are presented as possible solutions to be considered in extreme conditions.

Abstract
A novel optical fiber sensor is presented for measuring dissolved CO2 for water quality monitoring applications, where the optical signal is based either on refractive index changes or on color change. The sensing chemistry is based on the acid-basic equilibrium of 4-nitrophenol, that is converted into the anionic form by addition quaternary ammonium hydroxide. The CO2 sensitive layer was characterized and tested by using simple absorbance/reflectance measurement setups where the sensor was connected to a fiber optic CCD spectrometer. A prototype simulating a real shallow raceway aquaculture system was developed and its hydraulic behavior characterized. A commercially available partial-pressure-NDIR sensor was used as a reference for dissolved CO2 tests with the new optical fiber sensor under development. Preliminary tests allowed verifying the suitability of the new optical sensor for accurately tracking the dissolved carbon dioxide concentration in a suitable operation range. Direct comparison of the new sensor and the reference sensor system allowed to demonstrate the suitability of the new technology but also to identify some fragilities there are presently being addressed.