New Dedicated Production Capability for Ultra- Low Power Consumption Mid Infra-Red Light Emitting Diodes and Photodiodes

Gas Sensing Solutions Ltd (UK) is a pioneer in the development and production of gas sensors. Gas Sensing Solutions (GSS) specialises in ultra-low power consumption, non-dispersive infra-red (NDIR) carbon dioxide sensors. Through ground breaking research resulting in novel mid infra-red light sources and detectors, these sensors combine high performance and low power consumption, providing compatibility with wireless battery and energy harvesting solutions.

To support ongoing growth GSS has recently established a dedicated production capability for the unique low power consumption mid infra-red light emitting diodes (LED) and photodiode (PD) detector devices required within the sensors. The facility incorporates state of the art fully automatic epitaxial material growth on a production scale, metrology equipment and infrastructure for quality control.

The unique LED/ PD performance has enabled GSS to produce the World's Lowest Power Consuming and Fastest Response NDIR Carbon Dioxide Sensors, trademarked as COZIR and SprintIR respectively - both products are now in full production. The sensor technology which is patented, has received international acclaim and the company was a recent regional winner of a Shell Springboard award for technology most likely to lead to energy reduction in Building Control applications.

Necessary investment for the new production capability has been provided by GSS primary investors, Tweed Renaissance Investors Capital (TRI Cap) and Scottish Investment Bank. Ongoing support has been provided by Scottish Enterprise since GSS`s formation through provision of development grants and regional selective assistance.

Mid-infrared LED and PD device production has been further enhanced through addition of two personnel. Dr Matt Steer, working for GSS under a knowledge transfer initiative between GSS and Glasgow University, and Dr David Lusk bring significant industrial experience in vacuum process related production. Academic supervision as part of the Knowledge Transfer Partnership is provided by Professor Iain Thayne, School of Engineering, Glasgow University.

Dr Des Gibson, Chairman & CEO of GSS, commented “The dedicated capability provides necessary production capacity for future growth, moving the company onto a next stage of commercialisation and positioning GSS to supply the needs of emerging high growth global markets. The capability also adds significantly to the companies intellectual property and provides a platform for development of other gases".