Laser gas sensor domestic chip is available for import substitution

China Instrument Network Instrument R&D With the growing emphasis on energy conservation and emission reduction in China, as well as increased public awareness of environmental issues, environmental monitoring sensors are becoming more essential in both daily life and industrial applications.

After nearly a decade of research, the Institute of Semiconductors at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the joint laboratory of Beijing Hangxing Network Technology Co., Ltd. have successfully developed a new generation of semiconductor laser gas sensor chips. These chips are now ready for large-scale production and have already been integrated into laser systems.

In the future, the laser gas sensors developed by Hangxing will be applicable for both low-range and full-range measurements. Their temperature adaptability meets industrial-grade standards (-40°C to 70°C), making them suitable for various high-risk environments such as coal gas monitoring, underground pipeline detection, urban gas safety, and fire prevention. This technology will significantly enhance early warning and response capabilities in critical industries.

Currently, only a few countries, including Canada, the United States, Japan, and Norway, possess the technology to produce laser methane detection chips. The ability of Hangxing to mass-produce these chips marks a significant step toward domestic replacement of imported components.

As environmental protection becomes more important and governments focus on reducing air pollution, the demand for gas sensors is rising rapidly. Additionally, with the rapid development of the Internet of Things, gas sensors are finding new applications in smart homes, wearable devices, and intelligent mobile terminals. This expansion has dramatically increased their market potential and driven a surge in demand.

According to Yole Développement, a leading market research firm, the global gas sensor market reached $920 million in 2021 and is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 7.3% over the next five years. Environmental monitoring ranks third among all application areas, highlighting its growing importance.

As a leader in the domestic gas sensor industry, Hanwei Technology has started trial production of laser gas sensors. Guangli Technology, a key player in coal mine safety monitoring, has already produced small batches of laser methane sensors.

It is expected that with the successful development of these new-generation semiconductor laser gas sensor chips, China will unlock greater potential for independent innovation across multiple fields. This advancement will also improve the country’s capacity for security warnings in unexpected situations. Ultimately, this progress plays a crucial role in strengthening China's position in the global science and technology landscape.

(Source: Securities Times, Mames Consulting, Phoenix Technology)