SOS for sensors

摘要

A Welsh Electronics company has drawn on space technology to develop sensors capable of operating for long periods of time at extremely high temperatures. The firm said that the technology could be used to enhance the safety of planes, cars and trucks. It has traditionally been difficult to manufacture sensors capable of working over a wide temperature range, and available technologies often lead to the need for expensive compensation methods, frequent replacements and downtime. However, by exploiting Silicon-on-Sapphire (SOS) technology initially used in the development of high-temperature integrated circuits for the NASA space programme, Wrexham-based Ellison Sensors has developed a sensor capable of accurately measuring vibration, torque, force or pressure in extreme temperatures over long periods of time.