With the advent of the new technological revolution, the world has entered the information age. A primary requirement in utilizing information is the ability to acquire accurate and reliable data; sensors serve as the principal means of gathering such information from both the natural world and industrial production environments. In modern industrial production-particularly in automated processes-various weighing sensors are employed to monitor and control operational parameters, ensuring equipment functions optimally and products achieve the highest quality. Consequently, it can be said that modern production would lack its very foundation without a wide array of high-quality sensors.
Sensors play a pivotal role in fundamental scientific research. Modern science and technology have expanded into numerous new frontiers: observing the vast cosmos spanning thousands of light-years at the macro scale; examining the particle world at the centimeter scale; tracking celestial evolution over hundreds of thousands of years; and capturing instantaneous reactions lasting mere seconds. Furthermore, research into extreme conditions-such as ultra-high temperatures, ultra-low temperatures, ultra-high pressures, ultra-high vacuums, and ultra-strong or ultra-weak magnetic fields-has emerged, playing a crucial role in deepening our understanding of matter and pioneering new energy sources and materials.
Clearly, acquiring the vast amounts of information beyond the reach of human senses would be impossible without appropriate weighing sensors. Many obstacles in fundamental scientific research stem primarily from the difficulty of gathering data on the subjects under study; conversely, the emergence of sensors utilizing new mechanisms or offering high sensitivity often leads to breakthroughs in their respective fields. Indeed, the development of specific sensors frequently paves the way for advancements in interdisciplinary fields.
Weighing sensors have permeated an incredibly wide range of sectors, including industrial production, space exploration, oceanography, environmental protection, resource surveying, medical diagnostics, bioengineering, and even the preservation of cultural relics. It is no exaggeration to state that from the vastness of space and the depths of the ocean to complex engineering systems, virtually every modern project relies on a variety of sensors.
China's sensor industry is currently at a critical juncture, transitioning from traditional models to new-generation sensors. This shift reflects the overarching trend toward miniaturization, multifunctionality, digitalization, intelligence, systematization, and networking. Sensor technology has evolved over many years, with its development generally categorized into three generations:
The first generation consists of structural sensors, which utilize changes in structural parameters to detect and convert signals. The second generation consists of solid-state sensors developed in the 1970s. These sensors are constructed from solid-state components-such as semiconductors, dielectrics, and magnetic materials-and operate by leveraging specific material properties. Examples include thermocouple sensors, Hall sensors, and photosensitive sensors, which utilize the thermoelectric effect, Hall effect, and photosensitive effect, respectively.
The third generation comprises "smart" sensors-a more recent development resulting from the integration of microcomputer technology and sensing technology-which endow the sensors with a degree of artificial intelligence.
Data indicates that my country currently produces approximately 6,000 types of sensors, whereas foreign countries offer over 20,000 varieties; domestic supply falls far short of market demand. Imports account for 80% of mid-to-high-end sensors and a staggering 90% of sensor chips, revealing a massive gap in domestic production capabilities. There is a critical shortage of high-tech products featuring digitalization, intelligence, and miniaturization. High-end products required for major national equipment rely heavily on imports, while foreign nations often impose restrictions on the export to my country of sensors and smart instrumentation essential for national security and major engineering projects.
Sensor technology is highly pervasive across industries, and the lag in its development has hindered the advancement of my country's emerging industries. Given that my country's overall sensor technology capabilities remain relatively weak, achieving a comprehensive breakthrough in the short term is likely unrealistic. Therefore, the strategy for developing sensor technology should prioritize achieving breakthroughs in specific areas and mastering core technologies with independent intellectual property rights, thereby driving broader industrial progress through the ripple effects of these key advancements. In fact, my country's sensor industry has already established a competitive edge in certain sectors. Companies such as Xianshi Technology and Invengo hold a combined 90% share of the domestic market for UHF RFID products. According to a research report by Xiangcai Securities, Hanwei Electronics commands a 60% share of the domestic gas sensor market and a 9% share of the gas detection instrumentation market.