Distributed fiber optic sensors market: global industry analysis and opportunity assessment 2015-2025 explored with latest research

Future Market Insights has announced the addition of the “Distributed Fiber Optic Sensors Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment 2015-2025" report to their offering.

Optical networks are used for transmitting of voice and data signals around the world. These networks require perpetual monitoring so as to ensure proper transmission of signal along the fibers.

These sensors are quite immune to electromagnetic interference, and being a poor conductor of electricity they can be used in places where there is flammable material such as jet fuel or high voltage electricity. Fiber optic sensors can be designed to withstand high temperatures as well.

Most physical properties can be sensed optically with fiber optic sensors. Temperature, light intensity, displacement, pressure, rotation, strain, sound, magnetic field, electric field, chemical analysis, radiation, flow, liquid level and vibration are just some of the phenomena that can be sensed via these sensors.

Due to its characteristic of being impervious to electromagnetic interference and ability to operate in harsh environments, these sensors can be deployed in conditions where electronic sensors fail.

Distributed fiber optic sensors represent a technology that can be applied to a multitude of sensing applications with several characteristic advantages of fiber optics that make their use especially attractive for sensors. Fiber optic sensors are used in wide range of applications ranging from energy, defense, medicine, industrial, structural and transportation, security applications.

For many years, distributed fiber optic sensors have been in use for military gyroscopes and hydrophones. To realize the full potential in distributed fiber optic sensors market, few improvements such as sensor robustness needs to be carried out in these sensors.

Oil and gas market has opened an entire new business stream for the fiber optic sensors market, as they paved way for an entire new revenue generation system for the service providers. Initially the commercialization was focused primarily on the military applications.

However, with the usage of distributed fiber optic sensors in smart oil wells North America is enabling itself to be on the path of energy independence. With the further technological advancements, its going to gain traction in the coming years.

Distributed fiber optic sensors provides an extra edge over existing conventional electronic systems by completely eliminating the need of electronics at the sensor end; with low cost, high bandwidth, light weight, improved reliability and EMI/RFI immunity.

Distributed Fiber Optic Sensors Market: Drivers & Restraints     
Increasing investments in civil structures, smart manufacturing, growing needs of telecommunication industry are some of the key factors driving the growth of the global distributed fiber optic sensors market.

Cost and unfamiliarity remain the primary barriers to fiber optic sensor growth into new applications. Price fluctuation in oil industry and stringent environmental regulations are few more probable factors restraining the growth of the global distributed fiber optic sensors market.

Distributed Fiber Optic Sensors Market: Segmentation       
The global distributed fiber optic sensors market is broadly classified on the basis of technology, applications and geographies.

Based on application, the global distributed fiber optic sensors market is segmented into:

·         Oil & Gas

·         Pipelines

·         Infrastructure

·         Geothermal

·         Process control

·         Security

·         Wind energy turbines

Based on technology, the global distributed fiber optic sensors market is segmented into:

·         Brillouin Scattering

·         Raman Scattering

·         Rayleigh Scattering

·         Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBG)

Distributed Fiber Optic Sensors Market: Overview      

Though distributed fiber optic sensors traces back its history years ago, but for the emerging economies like India this market is gaining grounds recently.

With developing new technologies in emerging economies, rapid urbanization and increasing housing and security investments, the acceptance of distributed fiber optic sensors is gaining popularity. The global distributed fiber optic sensors market is expected to expand at a promising CAGR during the forecast period (2015-2025).

Distributed Fiber Optic Sensors Market: Region-wise Outlook   
The global distributed fiber optic sensors market is expected to remain quite optimistic for the forecast period. Depending on geographic regions, global distributed fiber optic sensors market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, South America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan, and Middle East & Africa.

As of 2015, North America dominated the global distributed fiber optic sensors market in terms of market revenue. Asia Pacific & Japan are projected to expand at a substantial growth and will contribute to the global distributed fiber optic sensors market value exhibiting a robust CAGR during the forecast period, 2015?2025.

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Fast and High-Resolution Gas Sensor for the Energy Industry

InfraTec offers a new development for the detection of gas concentrations by means of infrared spectroscopy. With the XFP-3137 detector, the Dresden-based company is meeting the requirements of an energy industry with its constantly changing technologies. Worldwide, there is a great need for inexpensive and high-resolution gas sensors for the measurement of the energy content of natural gas and other fuel gases. The demand for particularly efficient devices for routine leak monitoring is also increasing.

It is exactly at this point where the infrared spectrometric sensor comes in. As a result of the joint 'SIRKO' project, the XFP-3137 measures faster and more accurately than previous solutions. The core of the innovation is a tunable micromechanical Fabry-Pérot filter (μFPF). By using a higher order of interference, the spectral resolution of 60 nm could be improved to about 25 nm in wavelength range (3.1 ... 3.7) µm. An optimised electromechanical design increases the dynamics of the filter significantly and allows scanning frequencies up to 10 Hz. As an additional option in future a dual band sensor configuration will enable the measurement of hydrocarbons between (3.1 ... 3.7) µm and carbon dioxide at 4.3 µm simultaneously with a single μFPF device.

Parameters like these are important cornerstones of infrared spectroscopy as a physical sensor principle, in order to accurately and selectively determine gas concentrations with long-term stability. Detectors with integrated μFPF particularly serve in the exact and fast analysis of organic gas mixtures, such as the composition of natural gas. Their use brings tremendous benefits, not only for power plants and power supply companies, but also for the end user. Measuring instruments that are equipped with a μFPF, such as the XFP-3137, will be well suited in future for process control in cogeneration, natural gas fuel cell and industrial furnaces.

The starting point for the development of infrared spectrophotometric sensors was the joint SIRKO project, in which InfraTec participated and that was supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, under the 'Innovative SMEs: Optical Technologies'. The acronym stands for 'fast infrared spectrometer for the analysis of hydrocarbons'. Started in early Marc 2012, the SIRKO project reached its successful conclusion in February 2015.

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Gas Sensors Market - Global Industry Growth, Analysis, Forecast, Size, Share, Segmentation, Trends, Outlook, Research Report To 2020

The global market for gas sensors is expected to reach USD 2,512.4 million by 2020, according to a new study by Grand View Research, Inc. Regulatory initiatives, in developed markets of North America and Europe, in order to boost occupational health and safety are expected to drive the market over the forecast period. Additionally, growing demand from end-use industries is expected to positively impact global market prospects.

Positive outlook on demand for smart and wireless gas sensors can primarily be attributed to their effectiveness in detecting toxic gases in hazardous environmental conditions. 

Regulations for safety put forth by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) have been critical in enhancing market penetration across numerous industries in recent times. The use of hydrogen as an alternative fuel in hybrid vehicles is also expected to be a considerable opportunity for industry participants in the coming years. 

Further Key findings from the study suggest:

• Carbon dioxide (CO2) sensors accounted for 26.8% of the overall market share in 2012. However, reducing carbon emissions, and the use of alternatives such as shale gas for power generation are expected to limit the CO2 sensors market from reaching its full potential. Nitrogen oxide (NOx) sensors are expected to be the fastest growing product segment, with an estimated CAGR of 6.2% from 2014 to 2020. NOx sensors cost significantly higher as compared to other products, and are mainly used for exhaust gas emission detection in automotives.

• Electrochemical technology accounted for 19.3% of the market in 2012, and is expected to dominate global demand over the next six years. Sensors employing electrochemical gas sensing technology are capable of detecting multiple gases; in addition, they are reliable and cost effective in nature. Infrared gas sensing technology is expected to register the fastest growth of 5.7% from 2014 to 2020. It helps measure volatile organic compounds (VOC), methane, carbon dioxide, etc., and the absence of a chemical reaction ensures longer life span.

• Gas sensors employed for industrial purposes accounted for around 20% of the overall market in 2012, and are further expected to remain the largest market segment over the forecast period. The medical segment is also estimated to be a high growth avenue, and involves monitoring oxygen concentration in incubators as well as ventilators. It is expected to grow faster than the global average, at a CAGR of 5.2% from 2014 to 2020.

• Asia Pacific is expected to be the largest regional market by 2020, spurred by enhancements in sensor technology, and growing demand for handheld sensors and devices. It is also estimated to be the fastest growing region, at a CAGR of 6.0% from 2014 to 2020. Gas sensors are largely used in the automotive sector; therefore, growing automotive production and demand is expected to give impetus to the industry.

• Major industry participants follow development and innovation led strategies to strengthen their foothold in the ecosystem. R&D activities for boosting technological enhancement are also implemented to drive competitive advantage. Companies operating in the market include Honeywell-owned City Technology Ltd., Membrapor AG, Alphasense, Figaro Engineering, and Dynament Ltd. among others.

For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global gas sensors market on the basis of product, technology, end-use industry and region:

• Gas Sensors Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2012 - 2020)
        • Oxygen/Lambda Sensors
        • Carbon Dioxide Sensors
        • Carbon Monoxide Sensors
        • NOx Sensors
        • Others
• Gas Sensors Technology Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2012 - 2020)
        • Electrochemical
        • Semiconductor
        • Solid State/MOS
        • PID
        • Catalytic
        • Infrared (IR)
        • Others
• Gas Sensors End-Use Industry Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2012 - 2020)
        • Medical
        • Building Automation & Domestic Appliances
        • Environmental
        • Petrochemical
        • Automotive
        • Industrial
        • Others
• Gas Sensors Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2012 - 2020)
        • North America
        • Europe
        • Asia Pacific
        • RoW

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Cambridge Sensors sampling gas sensors

Designed to operate across the wideband IR range (2 to 14µm) the µBright sensors can be used to continually sense gases, such as carbon dioxide, and ethanol vapours in NDIR (nondispersive infrared) systems at low power.

The CCS11x family of IR sources incorporate a new patented plasmonic structure, which has a layer of metallic dots with a defined geometry which creates a resonant effect, increasing the optical emissions of the CCS11x sources.

The devices use CCS’s patented micro-hotplate design to deliver high optical emissions across a broad range (2µm to 15µm) of IR wavelengths with a very stable, low drift output. The plasmonic structure and the micro-hotplate are fabricated using a standard CMOS process.

The CCS11x family of components have an inherently low thermal mass which allows for rapid heating to high temperatures (up to 600oC), allowing pulse mode operation at high frequencies and low power consumption. Features and benefits of CCS11x µBright IR Sources include:
Stable output with low drift – low resistance drift over lifetime removes need for compensation
Fast switching – Up to 38Hz at 50% modulation depth
High IR radiation output – Up to 600oC operation with emissivity at 0.8 at 4.26µm
Superior efficiency – Pulse mode operation

Proven technology platform – Designed for high volume and reliability (>5year lifetime)

“These devices will enable our customers to have lower power, smaller optical gas sensor products which can be used to monitor specific gases such as carbon dioxide and also to detect greenhouse gases and refrigerants such as Freon for demand control ventilation, building monitoring, automotive cabin control, and industrial safety and security applications,” says CCS’ Jess Brown.

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How they work – The Fibre Optical Sensors

1. INTRODUCTION
Recently, fibre optical sensors (FOS) have gained increased popularity and market acceptance. In comparison to conventional sensors they offer a number of distinct advantages which makes them unique for certain types of applications, mainly where conventional sensors are difficult or impossible to deploy or can not provide the same wealth of information.

2. TYPES OF FIBRE OPTICAL SENSORS
According to the spatial distribution of the measurand (the quantity to be measured), FOS can be classified as...

Point sensors: the measurement is carried out at a single point in space, but possibly multiple channels for addressing multiple points.

Examples are Fabry-Perot sensors and single Fibre Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors.

Integrated sensors: the measurement averages a physical parameter over a certain spatial section and provides a single value.

An example is a deformation sensor measuring strain over a long base length.

Quasi-distributed or multiplexed sensors: the measurand is determined at a number of fixed, discrete points along a single fibre optical cable. The most common example are multiplexed FBG's.

Distributed sensor: the parameter of interest is measured with a certain spatial resolution at any point along a single optical cable.

Examples include systems based on Rayleigh, Raman and Brillouin scattering.

3. GENERAL ADVANTAGES OF FIBRE OPTICAL SENSORS
Completely passive: can be used in explosive environment.

Immune to electromagnetic interference: ideal for microwave environment.

Resistant to high temperatures and chemically reactive environment:ideal for harsh and hostile environment.

Small size: ideal for embedding and surface mounting.

High degree of biocompatibility, non-intrusive nature and electromagnetic immune: ideal for medical applications like intra-aortic balloon pumping.

Can monitor a wide range of physical and chemical parameters.

Potential for very high sensitivity, range and resolution.

Complete electrical insulation from high electrostatic potential.

Remote operation over several km lengths without any lead sensitivity: ideal for deployment in boreholes or measurements in hazardous environment.

Multiplexed and distributed sensors are unique in that they provide measurements at a large number of points along a single optical cable: ideal for minimising cable deployment and cable weight, or for monitoring extended structures like pipelines, dams etc.

In what follows we give a brief explanation of the working principles of optical fibres and each type of sensors.

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Measuring methane with a simple open-path gas sensor

Methane is the second most prevalent greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide, and influences tropospheric ozone and water vapor, further increasing its importance to the Earth's radiation budget.Due to its short atmospheric lifetime compared with carbon dioxide, a reduction in methane emissions can produce a rapid response in moderating climate change.Therefore, methane monitoring will be an important component of a greenhouse gas regulatory framework. However, constraining the atmospheric budget of methane has proved difficult, notably because of its numerous sources.

In remote and rural areas, problems with space, gas and electric supply, dust, and temperature can present challenges when establishing ground-based stations for atmospheric gas measurements. Often there is insufficient infrastructure available to install valuable and delicate methane analyzers, such as gas sensor and cavity ring-down spectroscopy instruments. As a result, there are often uncertainties in quantitative estimation of methane emissions. Satellite observations can enable sensing of methane and retrieval of information on abundances of the gas, but these can be compromised in areas with frequent cloud cover and high aerosol optical depth.Ultimately, we require detailed comparisons between satellite and ground-based measurements, which necessitates in situ atmospheric measurements over vast and fast-growing regions for an improved, more detailed understanding of methane budgets.

To obtain in situ observations in remote regions, one conventional and reliable method of gas measurement is air vessel sampling followed by laboratory analysis. However, to be effective, this technique requires frequent samplings and measurements to investigate regional emissions and advection (bulk motion of fluids).

To overcome these issues, we developed an in-field methane concentration measurement system that provides continuous observations, and it interpolates the data obtained by the traditional sampling method with a one-week interval. We operated the system at a barn in a paddy field in rural northern India close to methane sources. We used the LaserMethane miniG (LMm) detection system, which was originally designed to identify gas leaks.The instrument is small (W70 × D179 × H42mm), cost-effective, has low electric consumption (∼1W), requires very little maintenance, and is highly durable. It can measure atmospheric methane concentration continuously, and is therefore suitable for field observations in rural areas.

The LMm senses and measures methane by an open-path method, using a near-IR diode laser for IR absorption spectroscopy. In field measurements, the laser light is returned by a reflector located tens of meters from the unit, and is detected by a photodetector in the instrument. The LMm can quickly and selectively detect the methane concentration integrated over the open optical path, and achieves high sensitivity by second-harmonic detection using wavelength-modulation spectroscopy. The relative error of the methane concentration for a 10min integration time is less than 2% when measuring the typical atmospheric concentration with a path length of 50m. We provided an instrument chassis and frame for adjustment of the laser alignment, as well as a battery-backed power supply system to enable continuous operation since the region has only intermittent AC power supply.

We conducted continuous measurement of methane at the Indian paddy field since December 2014 to investigate diurnal and seasonal variations of methane concentration and their relationship with sources and meteorological conditions. We calibrated the concentration values of methane by the data obtained using the vessel sampling method once a week at the same site. The measurement system has not only provided the seasonal variation characteristics, such as enhancement of methane in the monsoon season relating to the rice vegetation phenology, but also provided detailed information on diurnal and day-to-day variations related to the local meteorological conditions and local emissions.

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Customized gas sensor array to detect postharvest disease in onions

Onion is the second most economically important commercial vegetable crop for fresh market in the United States. It is estimated that approximately 6.2 billion pounds (2.8 million tons) of onions are produced each year in the U.S. Across the world, average annual onion consumption per person is estimated to be over 13 lb (6 Kg). Onions like any other vegetables are threatened by various bacterial or fungal diseases.

US Scientists have investigated a method of detection of sour skin caused by the bacteria Burkholderia cepacia that is one of the most important post-harvest bacterial disease in onions.

The general objective of the study was to test the automated customized electronic nose system in detecting the presence of sour skin disease in onions; while the specific objectives were to:
1. compare three baseline correction methods and three features for data pre-processing;
2. conduct principal component analysis (PCA) and develop classification models to distinguish healthy and sour skin infected onions;
3. select the best combination of metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) gas sensors from the seven available sensors (TGS 813, TGS 822, TGS 825, TGS 826, TGS 2620, SB 11A, SB AQ8).

The sensor array consists of seven metal oxide semiconductor gas sensors and a microcontroller-based automatic data logging system. Three features (relative response, area, and slope) were extracted from the sensor signal and three baseline correction methods were employed to correct the sensors' responses. The gas sensor array was tested in two separate experiments with two treatments (control and sour skin). The multivariate data analysis revealed that the ''relative responsè' feature combined with relative baseline correction method provided the best discrimination of infected onions among healthy ones.

Scientists conclude that this study proved the efficacy of using a customized gas sensor array to detect sour skin infected onions among healthy onions. The relative response feature combined with relative baseline correction method performed the best among the nine feature-baseline correction combinations. The sensor responses showed significant difference between the volatiles released by control onions and sour skin diseased onions starting from 4 to 7 days after inoculation. TGS 826 and SB-AQ8 contributed the most in detecting the diseased onions whereas TGS 813 and TGS 2620 contributed the least. When all the seven MOS sensors were used, a classification accuracy of 85% (in validation) was achieved by using support vector machine. It was possible to achieve comparable results by removing the least one or two contributing sensors.

The tested customized gas sensor array shows great potential to be used as an automated detection tool for onion postharvest diseases in storage.

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Global Gas Sensors, Detectors and Analyzers Markets 2013

Market for gas sensors, detectors, and analyzers exceeded $2.0 billion in total and is expected to grow further in the future. The global market for gas detection is projected to reach $3.3 billion by the 2018 at a CAGR of 4.3 percent. Legislation and public concerns regarding monitoring of gas leaks and emissions stimulated market growth. In addition, the increasing awareness on safety among end users led to a greater demand for gas sensors and detectors. Increasing enforcement of the occupational health and safety regulations and government bodies is an important driver for the sales of gas sensors, detectors, and analyzers.

Definition and Market Segment Analysis

Gas Sensors are sensing elements that sense gas. Fixed gas detectors are designed to be wall mounted and provide protection against dangerous atmospheres for much larger areas than their portable counterparts. In most circumstances, fixed detectors are part of a larger safety system; they work in tandem with a number of other fixed detectors, constantly monitoring an area. Portable detectors are detectors that can be carried by workers from place to place so that atmospheres may be tested in different areas of a workplace.

The following gas sensors, detectors, and analyzers have been taken into account in this research service:

Gas Sensor Product Types:

• Electrochemical
• PID (Photoionization)
• Semiconductor
• Oxygen

End Users (Gas Sensors)

• Industrial
• Commercial/ Residential
• Medical

Gas Detector Product Types:

• Fixed Gas Detector
• Toxic Electrochemical, PID (Photoionization), Semiconductor
• CombustibleCatalytic, Infrared

Portable Gas Detector

• Single-gas
• Single-gas disposable
• Single-gas non-disposable
• Multi-gas
• Compliance
• Confined space entry
• Higher functionality
• Temporary area monitors (TAM)

End Users (Gas Detectors)

• Oil and gas
• Chemical and petrochemical
• Water and wastewater
• Food and beverage
• Power
• Pulp and Paper
• Semiconductors
• Utilities
• Mining
• Others

Gas Analyzer Product Types:

• Electrochemical
• NDIR
• Zirconia
• Paramagnetic

End Users (Gas Analyzers)

• Oil and gas
• Chemical and petrochemical
• Pharmaceutical
• Water and waste water
• Steel
• Power
• Pulp and paper

Key Topics Covered:

1. Executive Summary

• Introduction
• Definition and Market Segment Analysis
• Summary of Findings

2. Total Global Gas Sensors, Detectors, and Analyzers Markets

• Introduction
• Overview
• Market Engineering Measurements
• Market Dynamics
• Market Drivers
• Market Restraints
• Total Revenue Forecast
• Forecast by Product Type
• Geographic Analysis
• Competitive Landscape
• Competitive Structure

3. Global Gas Sensors Markets

• Gas Sensors Market
• Market Engineering Measurements
• Unit Shipment and Total Revenue Forecast
• Revenue and Percent of Revenue Forecast by Product Type
• End-user Analysis
• Revenue and Percent of Revenue by Gas Type
• Competitive Structure
• Market Share Analysis
• Technology Trends
• Pricing Trends

4. Global Fixed Gas Detectors Markets

• Fixed Gas Detectors Markets
• Market Engineering Measurements
• Unit Shipment and Revenue Forecasts
• Geographic Analysis
• End-user Analysis
• Market Share Analysis
• Toxic Gas Detectors Market
• Unit Shipment and Revenue Forecast
• Unit Shipment and Revenue Forecast by Product Type
• Combustible Gas Detectors Market
• Unit Shipment and Revenue Forecast
• Unit Shipment and Revenue Forecast by Product Type

5. Global Portable Gas Detectors Markets

• Portable Gas Detectors Markets
• Market Engineering Measurements
• Unit Shipment and Revenue Forecast
• Geographic Analysis
• End-user Analysis
• Market Share Analysis
• Single-gas Detectors Market
• Unit Shipment and Revenue Forecast
• Unit Shipment and Revenue Forecasts by Product Type
• Multi-gas Detectors Market
• Unit Shipment and Revenue Forecast
• Unit Shipment and Revenue Forecast by Product Type
• Temporary Area Monitors Market
• Unit Shipment and Revenue Forecast

6. Global Gas Analyzers Markets

• Total Gas Analyzers Markets
• Market Engineering Measurements
• Unit Shipment and Revenue Forecast
• Revenue and Percent of Revenue Forecast by Product Type
• End-user Analysis
• Geographic Analysis
• Competitive Structure
• Market Share Analysis

7. Appendix

• Decision Support Database
• GDP Composition Industrial Sector
• Manufacturing Enterprises
• CO2 Emissions
• CO Emissions
• Number of Enterprises

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Portable gas sensors improve atmospheric pollution measurements

Remote-controlled robotic helicopter in flight with a laser-based greenhouse gas sensor extending from its nose. The aerial detector is easy to deploy, inexpensive to operate, can be guided by GPS, and provides measurements in both vertical and horizontal directions.

Princeton University engineer Amir Khan and colleagues, working with space scientists at the University of Texas at Dallas, will discuss how their teams combined a compact, low-power, open-path (exposed directly to the environment) laser sensor with a robotic helicopter to measure the three most important greenhouse gases – carbon dioxide, methane and water vapor – in the atmosphere. The biggest advantage of the combination is that it provides high-resolution mapping in both the vertical and horizontal directions near emissions sources – something that ground-based networks or satellite-based sensors cannot do. Additionally, the sensor on the robotic helicopter is easy to deploy, inexpensive to operate, can be programmed to fly a preset monitoring pattern using GPS coordinates, and can handle challenging situations such as measuring emissions from industrial plants where the plumes move sideways as well as up.

A first-time demonstration of a system with the potential to become a portable, low-power, low-cost, and long-lasting optical sensor for ozone (O3) measurements will be presented by a team of engineers from the University of Rostock in Germany and Sensor Electronic Technology Inc. in South Carolina. The sensor uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to produce light in the deep ultraviolet range of the spectrum (wavelengths less than 300 nanometers) that allows the detection of small amounts of ozone – trace concentrations ranging anywhere from approximately 10 parts per billion to approximately 100 parts per million. The team showed in tests that this sensitivity compares favorably to conventional sensors that use less durable and more expensive mercury or electrochemical light sources. The team also discovered that coupling the deep ultraviolet LED to the detection equipment with fiber-optic cables produced a sturdy sensor that could be used in harsh environments, such as areas with strong electromagnetic fields, high temperatures, or strong vibrations.

Finally, engineer David Miller, also from Princeton University, will discuss his team's use of an open-path quantum cascade laser to create a portable sensor that can detect extremely small quantities of atmospheric ammonia (NH3) in harsh field environments. This molecule commonly forms unhealthy particulate matter, but measurements of this pollutant in the atmosphere are lacking. The Princeton sensor has performed well when deployed in harsh environments – everything from dusty deserts to jungle-like conditions to sub-freezing temperatures – providing an ability to measure concentrations of NH3 as small as 200 parts per trillion. Data from the high-sensitivity ammonia sensor will significantly improve air quality forecasts.

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Gas sensors sound the smoldering fire alarm

Smoke detectors are everywhere, but still thousands of people die in fires annually. Fire gas detectors, which detect carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide, identify fires at an early stage. Thanks to a new measurement principle developed by Fraunhofer researchers, these costly sensors will soon be inexpensive and ready for the mass market.

As the stars twinkle in the sky high above the house, people lie sleeping in their beds. It's just an ordinary night -- and yet, on this night, the slumberers' lives are at stake: A cable is smoldering away and poisonous carbon monoxide spreads unnoticed through the room. The smoke detector doesn't sound the alarm because it responds only to smoke, which is not always produced in a smoldering fire. In short, the room's occupants are in great danger.

Reliably detects carbon monoxide
Gas sensors could wake people in time and save their lives. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Physical Measurement Techniques IPM in Freiburg have developed just such a sensor. It recognizes a fire not by its smoke but by the carbon monoxide it emits. Nitrogen dioxide, which is produced a little later in the course of the fire, also triggers the alarm. Even the tiniest amounts of these gases suffice. "The sensors are extremely sensitive, so they respond very early in the fire's development. After all, every second counts," explains Dr. Carolin Pannek, a researcher at the IPM.
Life-saving carbon-monoxide sensors of this kind are already available today, but they are too expensive for the mass market. Furthermore, they require maintenance and use a lot of electricity. Commercially available semiconductor gas sensors are cheaper, but can't distinguish between different gases. That's not the case with the new sensor type created by the IPM researchers. "Ours responds only to carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide -- it ignores other gases. By using roll-to-roll processing, we can produce the sensors very inexpensively, making it affordable for consumers," confirms Pannek.

This is primarily thanks to the dyes at the core of the sensor. Just as a lock opens only with a specific key, each dye responds only to a specific gas. Thus the sensor contains one dye for carbon monoxide and another for nitrogen dioxide. It works by having a small LED shine blue light into a waveguide coated with a polymer into which the dyes have been mixed. The light travels in a zigzag path to the other end of the waveguide, where it meets up with a detector. If the air in the room is normal, the coating glows purple -- which means it absorbs only a small amount of blue light and lets most of the blue light reach the detector. If however there is carbon monoxide in the air, the dye glows yellow. The yellow dye absorbs more blue light -- so the overall amount of light reaching the detector is lower. Below a given threshold value this trips the alarm. To detect nitrogen oxide, the researchers include a second waveguide coated with another dye.

Costs slightly more than a smoke detector
The researchers were careful to ensure that the sensor could be manufactured cost-effectively in bulk -- after all, no one wants to dig much deeper in their pocket than they would for a conventional smoke detector, even though gas sensors offer significantly more protection. "When mass produced, the sensors will cost about the same as smoke detectors -- and significantly less than the fire gas detectors currently available," Panneck believes.

To make their fire gas sensors, the researchers use the same components found in smoke detectors and supplement them with the optical waveguides. The electronics determine the threshold at which the sensor should sound the alarm. To manufacture these components, the researchers have worked together with an industry partner to develop a roll-to-roll process similar to newspaper printing that is capable of printing 15,000 measurement systems on a continuous roll. The process is both suitable for mass production and cost effective. But it will certainly take a few years for the gas sensors to become as ubiquitous in living and bedrooms as smoke detectors are now.


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Compact New Fiber Optic Sensors Provide Application Flexibility

Carlo Gavazzi is pleased to announce a new line of Fiber Optic Sensors, including the FA1 Fiber Optic Amplifier, and the FUT and FUR Fiber Optic Cables.

The compact, intuitive, and flexible design of the FA1 Fiber Optic Amplifier is ideal for a wide variety of applications. An adjustable signal level, selectable response time, multiple timer functions, and UL508 Approval provide the application flexibility required in industries such as semiconductor and packaging. Two 4-digit LED displays simplify programming, and provide excellent feedback for monitoring application set-up, troubleshooting, and operation.

Along with the FA1 Amplifier, Carlo Gavazzi has announced an entirely new line of fiber optic cables, including the FUR Fiber Optic Cables for retroreflective applications, and the FUT Fiber Optic Cables for through beam applications. These cables are available in a variety of diameters, sleeve lengths, and connector options, simplifying installation in diverse applications. FUT and FUR cables are currently available in plastic, and glass fiber optic cables will be available in the near future. Main technical features include:

FA1 Amplifier
• Two 4-digit LED display for signal/threshold levels
• Adjustable sensitivity via intuitive 3-way switch
• Selectable response time
• Different timer functions
• 100mA NPN or PNP output
• Light on and dark on switching
• cUL approved and CE marked

FUR & FUT Fiber Optic Cables
• Reflective & through-beam types
• Inner diameter 0.25, 0.5 or 1.0mm
• Outer diameter 2.2 or 1.25mm
• Bending radius 10, 15, 25mm
• Over-molding protection
• Straight or angled sensing heads
• Different sleeve length options
• 2m standard length

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Learn details of the nano gas sensor industry of the United States market 2016

The United States Nano Gas Sensor Industry 2016 Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Nano Gas Sensor industry.

The report provides a basic overview of the industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. The Nano Gas Sensor market analysis is provided for the United States markets including development trends, competitive landscape analysis, and key regions development status.

Development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and Bill of Materials cost structures are also analyzed. This report also states import/export consumption, supply and demand Figures, cost, price, revenue and gross margins.

The report focuses on United States major leading industry players providing information such as company profiles, product picture and specification, capacity, production, price, cost, revenue and contact information. Upstream raw materials and equipment and downstream demand analysis is also carried out.

The Nano Gas Sensor industry development trends and marketing channels are analyzed. Finally the feasibility of new investment projects are assessed and overall research conclusions offered.

ISweek（http://www.isweek.com/）- Industry sourcing & Wholesale industrial products

Barometer: a free app that showcases the iPhone 6 barometer sensor

Looking for a cool new free app to try on your brand new iPhone 6? Then look no further than Peter Breitling’s Barometer—a new easy to use barometer app for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.

Barometer is an extremely simple app with a minimal design. It allows you to easily measure heights, such as when riding an elevator, check altitude, perform measurements, and more.
It’s so cool that I deemed it worthy to create a video showcasing it in action. Have a look at our video demonstration of Barometer after the break.

The iPhone 6’s barometer sensor is extremely sensitive, and could pick up minimal increases in altitude. It wasn’t always 100% accurate when I pitted it against an old-fashioned tape measure to measure its height, but it wasn’t an egregious differences in measurement, either.

If you have the time, I recommend downloading Barometer and playing around with it. I can only imagine how interesting it would be to take it into a sky-scraper and ride the elevator to the top.

You can download Barometer from the App Store free of charge. Remember, you’ll need to have an iPhone 6 or an iPhone 6 Plus to use the app.

What do you think?

ISweek（http://www.isweek.com/）- Industry sourcing & Wholesale industrial products