Spectral Sense

SpectralSense is a planned company spinout from the University of the West of Scotland's Institute of Thin Films, Sensors & Imaging. SpectralSense will be the pioneering global supplier of miniaturised infrared sensors for the detection and identification of multiple gases in one instrument. Applications include industrial safety, environmental monitoring, food-safety, agri-tech, health monitoring. It will offer the first low cost, low power, multi-gas sensor based on patented linear variable optical filter technology, enabling portable, long-life, wireless-connected-sensors, responding to demand from rapid growth market requirements for real-time remote monitoring. This will be disruptive in the £4.2 bn global gas detection market through reduction in complexity and costs for customers and end-users. The SpectralSense infrared spectroscopic sensor is based on novel thin film optical coatings and miniaturised optics developed at the University. These innovations have enabled an innovative low cost, low power, compact sensor design that will drive uptake of wireless-connected-sensors and wearable devices for real-time remote monitoring applications. Infrared spectroscopic detection is a powerful technique, useful in many applications from gas detection in industrial safety to environmental monitoring; to contamination in food safety and industrial processes. Current systems are typically expensive (£1,000s), relatively large and power hungry, limiting mass uptake in commercial and consumer applications. The demonstrated optical-based innovation will bring spectroscopic capabilities into low cost, high volume markets. Current low cost gas sensors are based on chemical interactions but are notorious for false alarms, limited lifetime (3 - 5yrs) and poisoning; i.e. failing without indication. Single-gas, infrared sensors exist but are substantially more expensive (10 - 20x), limiting market uptake. The SpectralSense IR sensor will offer long-life (10yrs+), stable/ “fit-&-forget”, multi-gas capability and will not poison.