ARQUIMEA Research Center Drives the Next Generation of Infrared Sensors through the NanoSIR Project

ARQUIMEA Research Center is participating in NanoSIR, an industrial research project funded by CDTI and supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, aimed at developing a new generation of infrared sensors based on nanobolometric technology.

The consortium is coordinated by SENSIA Solutions S.L. and includes MAPSI Photonics S.L. as a partner. With a total budget of €2,335,256, the project aligns with national strategic priorities to reinforce Spain’s technological capabilities in integrated photonics and advanced IR sensing technologies.

A Disruptive Technology to Overcome Current Limitations

NanoSIR focuses on nanobolometric technology as the next evolution of current microbolometer-based infrared sensors. This new approach will enable:

• Higher thermal sensitivity
• Improved spatial resolution
• Enhanced spectral selectivity
• Increased frame rate and imaging speed

All while maintaining an uncooled, compact, and cost-effective design, facilitating scalability and industrial adoption across strategic sectors.

For ARQUIMEA Research Center, NanoSIR represents a key milestone in strengthening proprietary capabilities in advanced photonics and infrared technologies, particularly aligned with the needs of the defense, aerospace, and industrial domains.

Key Technological Objectives

The project includes several high-impact technological milestones:

• Design and validation of the first nanobolometric demonstrator developed in Spain.
• Development of the initial architecture of the Read-Out Integrated Circuit (ROIC) required for future industrialization.
• Creation of a high-performance optical window and definition of the vacuum packaging process.
• Establishment of the technological foundation for next-generation infrared sensors.

ARQUIMEA Research Center contributes to advanced technology development and system-level integration, ensuring the solutions are designed for real-world deployment in demanding operational environments.

Strategic Applications and Industrial Impact

The technology developed within NanoSIR will have direct applications in key sectors:

Environment

• Accurate detection of methane emissions and other greenhouse gases.

Industry and Energy

• Advanced infrastructure inspection.
• Enhanced predictive maintenance capabilities.

Defense and Security

• Increased range, precision, and reliability in optronic systems.

Aerospace

• Lighter, more compact, and higher-resolution sensors for airborne and space platforms.

The outcome will be a more accessible, efficient, and robust infrared sensing technology, capable of operating in demanding environments while reinforcing national autonomy in a strategic technological domain.

Advancing Technological Sovereignty

NanoSIR is fully aligned with ARQUIMEA Research Center’s mission to develop high-impact applied research and contribute to positioning Spain as a key player in critical technologies. Building domestic capabilities in advanced infrared sensing is a decisive step toward greater technological independence in defense, space, energy, and environmental monitoring.

Through initiatives such as NanoSIR, ARQUIMEA Research Center continues to consolidate its role as a strategic R&D partner in the development of disruptive technologies with strong industrial and national impact.

With the support of: