ULIS is collaborating with research centre CEA/Leti in a project to develop and market a new line of infrared sensors, aimed at applications that enhance energy efficiency.
The new line of IR sensors is designed to fill an unmet need in applications seeking to achieve maximum efficiency in the everyday use of energy, for example heating systems. Existing single-element IR sensors (pyroelectric sensors), like those used in buildings to detect motion, lack the technological capability and quantity of pixels to provide complex data. This includes an inability of these single-element sensors to detect the number of people in a room, particularly if those present are immobile.
'ULIS is delighted to be teaming up again with top researchers from CEA/Leti on this R&D project,' says Jean-François Delepau, managing director at ULIS. 'With the additional resources, we will be able to take a significant stride forward in developing new product lines targeting applications in markets seeking energy efficiency. The budget will enable us to accelerate the build-up of our technology portfolio, advance materials research, and expand our resources. As a result of the project, we expect ULIS to win a major share in the market for smarter low-resolution IR sensors, and thus significantly strengthen our market positioning in infrared.'
The energy saving applications ULIS will target for the new IR sensors include improving the management of heating, cooling and lighting systems, as well as people flow in public places. The products will also be suitable for security (access control and surveillance), safety (fire detection), and healthcare (infrared endoscopy) among others.
