Optical Sensing Technologies, Devices and Their Data Applications

Dear Colleagues,

Optical sensing is a rapidly advancing field that leverages the unique advantages of optical technologies to measure a wide range of physical, chemical, and environmental parameters with exceptional accuracy and sensitivity. This technology has diverse applications, from structural health monitoring to environmental science and biomedical engineering. This Special Issue is dedicated to exploring the latest advancements in optical sensing technologies and devices, as well as the innovative applications of the data they generate, particularly in atmospheric and environmental detection, ultrasonic sensing, and optofluidics.

This Special Issue on “Optical Sensing Technologies, Devices and Their Data Applications” invites contributions that highlight cutting-edge developments in the design, deployment, and data utilization of advanced optical sensors. We are particularly interested in research that pushes the boundaries of how these technologies are applied in real-world scenarios. Specific topics of interest include the following:

1. Development and validation of novel optical sensors and methodologies, especially those incorporating fiber optic sensing, photonic sensing, optical imaging applications, lidar, Doppler lidar, and other optical sensing technologies, offering enhanced capabilities in diverse environments.
2. Applications of optical sensing in atmospheric and environmental monitoring, including advanced methodologies for environmental surveillance, industrial process control, and public health applications.
3. Integration of optical sensors with other technologies, such as ultrasonic and nondestructive evaluation, to create multifunctional sensing platforms that deliver comprehensive monitoring solutions.
4. Advancements in data processing and interpretation, focusing on the application of machine learning, big data analytics, and AI techniques to enhance the accuracy, reliability, and actionable insights derived from optical sensor data.
5. AI-enhanced optical sensing, including the use of AI models to boost sensing performance, address AI-related security issues in optical sensing, and explore real-world applications that synergize AI with optical sensing technologies.
6. Exploration of microfluidics, optofluidics, and their industrial applications, focusing on innovations in the chemical, biological, and pharmaceutical industries, and how these technologies can be integrated with optical sensing to drive advancements in industrial processes.

This Special Issue aims to gather groundbreaking research and reviews that will shape the future of optical sensing technologies and their applications across various industries.

Dr. Yufei Chu
Dr. Hanqing Guo
Prof. Dr. Yuanxian Zhang
Dr. Abu Farzan Mitul
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Photonics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.