UK consortium to develop unique sensor technology
CS MAGIC project will use technology based on GaAs Quantum Well Hall Effect (QWHE) magnetic sensing technology and a novel GaN HEMT
The UK's Compound Semiconductor Centre (CSC) has been awarded a collaborative R&D project by InnovateUK. The project called CS MAGIC: (Compound Semiconductor MAGnetic Integrated Circuits) will focus on the development of new ultra-sensitive magneto-sensors with integrated electronics.
It will use technology based on GaAs Quantum Well Hall Effect (QWHE) magnetic sensing technology developed by Mohamed Missous, founder of Advanced Hall Sensors Ltd (AHS), and a novel GaN device based on a high electron mobility transistor (magHEMT) concept developed by Petar Igic at Swansea University.
The consortium comprising CSC (Cardiff), AHS ltd (Manchester), TWI (Port Talbot), Renishaw (Edinburgh) and Swansea University will collaborate to deliver commercial grade sensing solutions for a diverse range of challenging applications in automotive current sensing, high resolution metrology, non-destructive inspection and test, and security screening applications.
Missous, inventor of the QWHE technology, commented: "AHS has had considerable success in commercialising the core technology with over 15 million discrete sensors shipped to date, and this project will extend the functionality of sensing platform for harsh environment and ultra-wide dynamic range requirements to service a $3B market in magnetic sensing solutions'.
CSC Director, Wyn Meredith commented: "˜This project will deliver an "˜all UK' developed and manufactured solution which leverages world class compound semiconductor materials and device expertise in the consortium matched with the deep applications understanding of TWI and Renishaw'.
