Xiaoyi Bao

The most interesting part of my job is to conduct exciting research in fiber sensors and fiber communications. My group has developed a distributed Brillouin sensor system to measure the strain and temperature along the fibers over tens of kilometers. We use this technique to measure the strain/stress and temperature distribution in bridges, to locate corrosion in water pipelines, and to locate buckling in energy pipelines due to ground movement. Through field tests, we study the formation of pipeline corrosion and buckling, to find the signature of the potential problems and to provide early warning. This research can be used to prevent pipeline leakage and resulting environmental contamination, and to reduce the economic loss from pipeline repairs. The research is very challenging and exciting.