Research and Markets, the leading source for international market research and market data, has announced announce a new study on Worldwide nanotechnology mid infrared IR sensor markets. Worldwide mid IR sensors are poised to achieve significant growth as military and homeland security markets expand and provide sensors useful in commercial markets. End to end transmission and distribution management is implemented in the smart grid. Systems integration, management of consumer endpoints, the ability to recharge cars from renewable energy stations, the ability to store solar power are anticipated to drive mid IR sensor market growth.
The sensor markets depend on networks that evolve functionality based on automated process provided by software. Middleware provides the integration technology to support inter-connective sensor network systems in a flexible manner. No one product or set of products yet defines this network market opportunity, rather, the networks are evolving as people find ways to automate the decision making process based on an increase in the quantity of available information.
Breakthrough technology in mid IR sensors brings advances that provide management choices never before available. Complete turnkey mid-infrared laser sensor systems are based on technology that goes from 3-12 m. Sensors are based on core semiconductor Quantum Cascade and Interband Cascade laser technology. Laser systems are available in both multimode and single mode DFB versions.
Applications include process monitoring, chemical sensing, medical diagnostics and infrared counter measures. The initial markets are for military use of detection of enemy fire from a distance and night vision sensors. Commercial markets are evolving.
Laser products are being used in product solutions for homeland security, military communications, infrared countermeasures, chemical warfare agent detection, explosives detection, medical diagnostics, industrial process controls, remote gas leak detection, pollution monitoring, and real-time combustion controls.
Homeland security, military communications, infrared countermeasures, chemical warfare agent detection, explosives detection, medical diagnostics, industrial process controls, remote gas leak detection, pollution monitoring, and real-time combustion controls.
Detection of precursors for ground-level ozone formation or of aerosols is achieved. Applications in homeland security include sensors for toxic chemicals. The targeted applications in health-care are centred around breath analysis of indicators for kidney and liver disease and oxidative stress, such as inflammation or asthma.
Utilities are putting small pieces of mid IR sensors in place. Pacific Gas & Electric spends $10 million a year on proprietary wired sensors in its transmission and distribution network. The sensors can cost tens of thousands of dollars each and require manual intervention, transmission and distribution group. The utility aims to move to wireless sensors that are much lower in cost and ride Internet Protocol networks.
It has proposed a plan to regulators to spend more than $1 billion over six years on a network of control systems to respond automatically to problems on its distribution system. PG&E is well along in a separate program to install solid-state relays in its transmission substations.
The smart electrical grid is moving to electronics and sensors from a purely mechanical infrastructure. Computer networks and systems are needed to gather and analyze information. With information comes the ability to intelligently control the grid. Solid state electronics provides the base for gathering information from the electricity grid. Control is needed because renewable energy brings several different types of electricity to be transmitted and distributed.
Markets for mid IR sensors at $70.2 million in 2008 are anticipated to reach $865.4 million by 2015. Early trials of mid IR sensors are showing that the products are feasible and that economies of scale are likely to bring prices down, driving faster adoption rates in a range of industry segments.
According to Susan Eustis, lead author of the study, “Economies of scale leverage the nanotechnology advances for mid IR sensors, creating breakthroughs in the networked use of information from endpoints. Nanotechnology provided by research solves the issues poised by the need to measure chemistries in every industry segment.” Nanotechnology results obtained in the laboratory and for military use are being translated into commercial products. The processes of translating the nanotechnology science into mid IR sensors are anticipated to be ongoing.
Report Methodology
This is the 408th report in a series of market research reports that provide forecasts in communications, telecommunications, the internet, computer, software, and telephone equipment. The project leaders take direct responsibility for writing and preparing each report. They have significant experience preparing industry studies. Forecasts are based on primary research and proprietary data bases. Forecasts reflect analysis of the market trends in the segment and related segments. Unit and dollar shipments are analyzed through consideration of dollar volume of each market participation in the segment. Market share analysis includes conversations with key customers of products, industry segment leaders, marketing directors, distributors, leading market participants, and companies seeking to develop measurable market share. Over 200 in-depth interviews are conducted for each report with a broad range of key participants and opinion leaders in the market segment.