COVID-19 – HEIMANN Sensor’s essential role in fighting the pandemic
COVID-19 – HEIMANN Sensor’s essential role in fighting the pandemic
In the current worldwide COVID-19 crisis, HEIMANN Sensor has become one of the key players in fighting the spread of the quickly developing pandemic by manufacturing sensors and sensor modules that are used in fever thermometers or temperature screening systems. Not only hospitals, medical practices and pharmacies increasingly use non-contact, infrared thermometers for indicating potential Corona patients. Even in more and more companies and public areas around the world, handheld portable thermometers become the tool of choice for detecting elevated body temperature.
Temperature screening systems, which are permanently installed at entrances of airports, companies, public buildings, schools or other institutions, can automatically detect elevated body temperatures from greater distances. In all these tools, HEIMANN Sensor products like the HMS M21 for contactless thermometers or HTPA32x32 and HTPA 80x64 for elevated body temperature screening systems provide the centerpiece.
On top, HEIMANN Sensor is one of the very few producers of special, fast reacting CO2 gas sensors, which are installed in capnography devices, incubators and respiratory equipment. As a small percentage of coronavirus patients develop severe health issues including acute respiratory illnesses, their survival depends on the continuous monitoring of their lung function in intensive care stations. Hence, HEIMANN’s production of gas sensors has become crucial in the worldwide health care.
Consequently, the demand for HEIMANN Sensor products has increased exponentially during the past few weeks. While it was already challenging to meet the growing demand in the beginning of 2020, the near shut-down of the economy in Malaysia mid-March, where two of the main assembly lines of HEIMANN Sensor are located, were dramatic. After proofing systemic importance to the Malaysian government, HEIMANN Sensor was granted special permission for reopening part of the assembly line. Still, HEIMANN Sensor keeps fighting for the complete reutilisation and expansion of its capacities in its main assembly lines.
HEIMANN Sensor and its employees have long ago recognized that their input and supply of sensor and sensor modules in the current worldwide Corona crisis has outreached economic benefits, but play a significant role in the global containment of COVID-19 and the lifesaving of patients.
Christin de Witt • August 1, 2020

We are proud to be part of the PROACTIF project funded by the European Union’s Chips Joint Undertaking, in which we develop a special IR sensor for drones and other unmanned vehicle technologies (UxV). The consortium brings together 42 leading European technology companies from 13 countries to redefine how emergency situations and critical infrastructure are managed. It anticipates generating around €90 million in revenue, 50 products, and more than 15 new industry patents by 2035, enabling increased market share and leadership. The project's additional impact includes dozens of new collaborations, hundreds of new jobs, and over €40 million of additional investments. Have a look at the following article by Nokia to learn more about the project's goals: https://www.nokia.com/newsroom/nokia-to-lead-proactif-a-multimillion-europe-robotics-and-unmanned-technology-project/

In Mid-May, a Heimann Sensor development and product manager is accompanying the successful second Agrarsense field test in Vindeln, Sweden. Various sensor and measurement systems were tested, including infrared cameras with built-in IR array by Heimann Sensor. The primary goals focus on enhancing the forestry operation efficiency, ensure safety, and to minimize fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

Introduction Non-Dispersive Infrared (NDIR) spectroscopy is a well-established method for precise gas concentration measurement, especially for greenhouse gases such as CO₂. This thermopile-based sensor system combines ruggedness, accuracy and adaptability for use in demanding environments. Designed to meet the toughest industrial conditions, it features high-temperature operation up to 180 °C, hermetically sealed packaging for long-term durability, a separate, dedicated reference channel sensor and integrated temperature reference for thermal compensation. CO₂ Detection with High Selectivity This HTS-HT sensor is available in a configuration specifically tailored for carbon dioxide (CO₂) detection, using a narrow-band IR filter centered around 4.26 µm, the absorption peak of CO₂. This ensures high selectivity and measurement sensitivity, even at low concentrations. Optional Dual-Sensor Design with Dedicated Reference Channel This dual-channel system comprises two physically separate thermopile sensors: the active sensor measures IR radiation after passing through a sample containing CO₂ and the reference sensor serves to track IR source stability and environmental influences. By continuously comparing signals from both sensors, the system achieves drift-compensated, stable readings, even over long operating periods and in fluctuating environments. Integrated Temperature Reference Each sensor includes a built-in temperature reference, allowing for thermal compensation of the thermopile signal. This ensures that changes in ambient or device temperature do not affect the accuracy of the gas concentration reading—a critical feature in applications with wide or rapidly changing thermal profiles. Durability for Harsh Conditions Each sensor includes a built-in temperature reference, allowing for thermal compensation of the thermopile signal. This ensures that changes in ambient or device temperature do not affect the accuracy of the gas concentration reading—a critical feature in applications with wide or rapidly changing thermal profiles. Applications T his dual-sensor system is ideal for emission monitoring in combustion engines or industrial furnaces, exhaust gas analysis where direct sensor exposure to hot gases is required. Further application fields include process control in harsh chemical environments with temperature and humidity extremes as well as high-reliability safety applications, such as gas leak detection in hazardous areas. Benefits at a Glance • Thermopile sensors rated up to 180 °C for direct integration into high-temperature zones • Hermetically sealed design ensures maximum durability and resistance to environmental effects • Long-term signal stability and reduced need for recalibration • Integrated temperature reference for thermal compensation • Independent reference measurement enables real-time correction for source fluctuations and contamination Conclusion This advanced NDIR sensor system is engineered for high-precision CO₂ monitoring in challenging conditions. With two physically separate thermopile sensors, a built-in temperature reference and hermetic protection, it provides reliability and measurement stability - even at extreme temperatures.

The Sensor and Measurement Science International Conference SMSI 2025 will take place this year 6-8 May in Nuremberg and is related to the leading international trade fair Sensor+Test. Our top expert regarding the integration of AI into the infrared imaging of sensor arrays will hold an informative presentation on May 6 at 12.30 pm, D1.4, about the Development of a Computationally Efficient Person Detection Procedure for Low-Resolution Infrared Sensor Arrays. We would be happy to meet you at the SMSI and discuss this forward-thinking topic with you.

Heimann Sensor is glad to announce its participation to the upcoming OASIS9 exhibition on 10 and 11 March 2025 in Tel Aviv. OASIS9 is the ninth in the highly successful series of OASIS (Optical Engineering and Science in Israel) bi-annual conferences. These conferences bring together scientists and engineers from academia, industry and research institutions, who discuss the most recent advances in optics and photonics, both globally and in Israel. Heimann Sensor will be exhibiting at the INET Booth, so do not hesitate to stop by. We will not only show our great spectrum of high-quality infrared arrays starting from HTPA8x8d up to our new flagship HTPA160x120d, but also show real time person detection possibilities with our HTPA 60x40d L1.9 and our beam profiler.

New year, same booth! Our preparations for the Sensor+Test 2025, which will take place 6-8 May in Nuremberg in Southern Germany, are in full swing. We would be happy to see you at our booth 436 in Hall 1 and show you our newest infrared sensor products. You can receive free fair tickets online: Deutsch: https://service.sensor-test.com/sensorticket.php?Fid=50142 English: https://service.sensor-test.com/sensorticket.php?Fid=50142&Spr=en

Our Heimann Sensor team is pleased to share a great success story: One of our innovative sensors has been included into a new thermal imaging camera that is now available at LIDL throughout Germany and internationally. In this way, this kind of product has become affordable to the masses. After a couple days, the cameras were already sold out in the supermarkets. Nevertheless, the camera is still available on the LIDL online shop at https://www.lidl.de/p/parkside-4-v-waermebildkamera-pwbka-4-a1-1024-messpunkte/p100377390 . The heart of this camera is the Heimann Sensor HTPA32x32d array sensor, which enables spatially resolved temperature measurements for professional use as well as everyday use. For example, it is possible to detect heat loss in buildings or to analyze electrical systems. This success is a further proof of the high quality and competitiveness of Heimann Sensor products.

Heimann Sensor is looking forward to participating in the 25th China International Optoelectronic Exhibition, which takes place 11-13 September 2024 in Shenzhen Bao'an International and Exhibition Center. Meet us at booth no. 8E06 - in cooperation with our sales partner Shenzhen Longxiang Technology Co, Ltd.