Mass Production of 'Thermal Sensor Core Components' Supported by Gyeonggi-do Industry-Academia Cooperation

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] With support from Gyeonggi-do's industry-academia cooperation, a research team at Sungkyunkwan University has succeeded in developing a thermal detection sensor, an essential component of thermal imaging cameras, establishing a full-scale product mass production system.

According to Gyeonggi-do on the 24th, Professor Seo Soo-jung's team from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Sungkyunkwan University, conducting research at the Gyeonggi Regional Research Center (GRRC), utilized advanced semiconductor processing equipment owned by the center to support participating companies with process technology capable of implementing uniform curved silicon structures. As a result, they laid the foundation for mass production systems of infrared filters (IR Filter) and infrared lenses (IR Lens).

With the miniaturization of thermal detection sensor applications, the miniaturization of infrared filters and infrared lenses used in them is essential.

When manufacturing micro-sized lenses using conventional polishing methods, considerable production costs and time are required. However, by using semiconductor process ultra-small microfabrication technology (MEMS), it is possible to produce a large number of lenses in a short time and reduce production costs.

To develop small infrared filters and infrared lenses utilizing such semiconductor processes, anti-reflection coating technology for implementing infrared filters and silicon (Si)-based curved ultra-small microfabrication process technology are important.

Seoul Jeonggwang Co., Ltd., the only domestic company producing infrared filter components using anti-reflection coating process technology for infrared, had difficulties in product miniaturization but succeeded in mass production after receiving technology transfer of semiconductor process development technology and infrared filter plating process technology from Professor Seo Soo-jung's team at Sungkyunkwan University.

The mass-produced infrared filters and infrared lenses can be applied to smaller products compared to existing products and can be utilized in devices such as mobile phones, thermal sensors, and 3D scanning modules.

Seoul Jeonggwang Co., Ltd. expects sales of 1.9 billion KRW in 2023, starting with a supply contract with overseas Company A, and anticipates additional sales of about 12.5 billion KRW by 2026. Furthermore, to respond to domestic and international demand for thermal detection sensors, the company is boldly investing in production facilities, including completing its second factory in Hwaseong this March.

An Chi-kwon, Director of the Science and Technology Division of Gyeonggi-do, emphasized, "It is very meaningful to have established a full-scale product mass production base by utilizing the physical and human resources possessed by the university," and added, "We will actively support the enhancement of technological competitiveness of related companies."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.