Gas detection is important to the UK, not only because of the manufacturing industry, but also a number of wider societal benefits result from the use of gas sensors:
Providing early diagnostics in healthcare,
Monitoring complex processes that ensure a sustainable economy,
Monitoring and reducing pollutants in the environment,
Providing early detection and forensic analysis for safety and security,
Reducing pollution by improving efficiency in transport.
The UK gas detection community has a strong heritage and is well served by trade and government sponsored groups, and non-commercial organisations such as GASG.
Globally, the gas sensor market is estimated to be US$2-3B with a growth of 6-9% per annum (CAGR); the associated equipment market is of the order of US$5B (information from internet). The principal markets are:
Industrial safety: a mature market with expansion in developing economies.
Fire and domestic gas detection: a mature market, with growth in domestic CO.
Security and military: event-driven growth.
Process control and emissions monitoring: legislation- and efficiency-driven growth.
Breath and drugs: large potential growth in medical diagnostics.
Environmental monitoring: large growth, but technically challenging and legislation driven.
Automotive (ignoring lambda): growth in cabin air quality monitoring, emissions control.
References
J Hodgkinson, J Saffell, J Luff, J Shaw, J Ramsden, C Huggins, R Bogue and R Carline, MNT Gas Sensor Roadmap. UK Micro and Nanotechnology (MNT) Network, 2006.
J. Hodgkinson, J. Saffell, J. Luff, J. Shaw, J. Ramsden, C. Huggins, R. Bogue and R. Carline, Gas sensors 1. The basic technologies and applications. Nanotechnology Perceptions 5 (2009) 71–82; Gas sensors 2. The markets and challenges. Nanotechnology Perceptions 5 (2009) 83–107.
Internet searches for global gas sensor/equipment/detection markets.
