A spin-out senses green success

A sensor that can withstand hostile environments, help improve the efficiency of gas turbines used in aircraft engines and power stations, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions has been developed by STFC spin-out Oxsensis.

STFC's Micro-Nano Technology Centre provides state of the art facilities to STFC departments, Universities and companies

The Wave-Phire sensor is the world’s first commercial temperature and pressure sensor capable of operating at over 1000 degrees Celsius.

“A black hole of information has existed in the heart of combustion systems for air transport and power generation,” explained Oxsensis Chief Executive Officer David Gahan. “Our sensors will provide previously unavailable information to enable far finer levels of intelligent control of the equipment.”

The aim is to improve the efficiency of fossil fuels and promote a cleaner environment. “We are working with major producers of gas turbines for energy and transport, as well as with a major car producer,” said Mr Gahan. “We are looking to help save tens of millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide each year.”

Oxsensis responded to industry demands for better sensors in the hottest parts of engines. The Wave-Phire is highly sensitive yet can be flush mounted to a combustion engine and is immune to electromagnetic interference.

The micro-machined sapphire sensor uses technology developed at STFC’s Micro-Nano Technology Centre. The design, which won an Institution of Engineering and Technology Innovation Award, was made possible thanks to STFC’s knowledge transfer arm, STFC Innovations Ltd.

Mr Gahan credits its success to “the availability of world-class facilities on the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus and the fundamental pool of knowledge and networking available. Basically we couldn’t do it without them.”

Oxsensis information

• By reducing emissions the technology helps companies meet environmental emissions targets Formed in 2003, Oxsensis is a spin-out company from the STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
• Oxsensis is one of 17 European organisations working on the European Commission backed gas turbine programme HEATTOP. The programme aims to advance the performance and life of gas turbines
• The sensor developed by Oxsensis will improve the efficiency of combusting fossil fuels and promote a cleaner environment by helping to save tens of millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide each year