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About

Steven Hinckley is a leading researcher in structural health monitoring (SHM) and non-destructive evaluation (NDE), with a particular focus on fibre Bragg grating (FBG) sensors. His work addresses a critical challenge: detecting not just initial impacts or strain in composite materials, but also the secondary damage—such as delamination or cracking—that can follow and remain hidden. Hinckley pioneered the use of distributed FBG sensors for acoustic emission and transmission detection, enabling real-time monitoring of structural integrity. His most cited paper (17 citations) applies this technology to robotic NDE, advancing autonomous inspection systems. He has also explored wireless acoustic communications for sensor networks, integrating electro-acoustic and acousto-optic methods to allow autonomous agents to communicate within structures. By combining sensor physics with robotics, Hinckley’s contributions are foundational to safer, smarter infrastructure and aerospace composites. His work continues to influence the development of self-sensing materials and intelligent monitoring systems.