Most of our sensor projects have involved the design of sensors for fire detection products. These include flame and optical beam detectors as well as sensor chambers for point optical scatter detectors. In total we have designed, or contributed to the design of, at least 10 optical scatter smoke sensors. 

The key design attributes that are aimed for are good sensitivity combined with a low susceptibility to false alarms due to insects, dust and other contaminants. This includes good smoke entry characteristics, so that slow moving smoke from slowly smouldering fires can be detected. Research projects into more novel forms of optical smoke detection have also been carried out.

Several ionisation smoke sensor designs have also been carried out, although we would now recommend a combination of optical scatter smoke and heat sensing. This multisensor combination was pioneered by us in the 1980s, and is now widely used in the industry. 

The design of heat sensors for fire detection involves careful airflow design as well as the selection and interfacing of the actual sensing element. This has been carried out for many projects, and each one brings a different challenge. 

Security and general infra-red sensing projects have been carried out in the past few years. 

We also have experience of other forms of sensor, including gas sensors for fire detection and other applications.