GAS sensors first used on the International Space Station are to be used more widely to help give early warning signals for health problems in one of two new products unveiled to the world this week.
Cumbernauld-based Gas Sensing Solutions said it is preparing for rapid expansion with the double launch of the products, developed as part of a pioneering R&D project in Scotland.
The sensors have already been used in applications from respiratory machines to registering differences in gas tolerances on the International Space Station.
The manufacturing firm was presenting its CozIR-LP2 and SprintIR-Rsensor the Sensor and Test 2019 Expo in Nuremberg, Germany, and the Sensors Expo in San Jose, California.
Taking up to 50 carbon dioxide readings per second, the SprintIR-Rsensor can quickly detect leaks in food packaging and reduce excess wastage.
READ MORE: Research project aims to grow Scotland's sensors industry
The technology will also allow healthcare professionals to monitor CO2 levels in patients’ breath when they are using respiratory machines, helping to quickly identify potential problems.
The CozIR-LP2 is a low-power CO2 sensor designed to identify minor levels, and it says with lower power it makes it usable in wearables and other portable products.
This can be utilised to inform wearers when levels of CO2 are potentially dangerous. A previous iteration of this technology was the one used on the space station to highlight the differences in tolerance.
Founded in 2006, GSS has produced CO2 sensors for a variety of applications including healthcare, industrial safety, aerospace and food processing in markets across the globe.
In the past 12 months the business has doubled its production capacity, it said.
GSS has recently been listed as finalists in two categories at the UK-wide Electronics Industry Awards, including Excellence in Innovation.
Calum MacGregor, GSS chief executive, above, said: “Our two new products are an integral part of our plans to rapidly grow GSS into 2020 and beyond.
“We already provided best-in-class technology with previous iterations of these products, and these advancements allow us to remain competitive and improve outcomes for our global customer base.”
The new products were developed following a £6 million Government-backed R&D project facilitated by CENSIS - Scotland’s innovation centre for sensor and imaging systems and the Internet of Things – and Scottish Enterprise.
The collaborative initiative was the first of its kind in Scotland.
The project consists of lead company partner Cascade Technologies, CST Global, Gas Sensing Solutions, Amethyst Research Ltd and the research division of Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering at the University of Glasgow.
Paul Winstanley, chief executive of CENSIS, said that “the success of GSS is evidence of what can be achieved”.
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