Revolutionising energy safety through world-leading laser sensing technology
Prof. Ren introduces a prototype of a portable laser analyser, among other detection equipment developed by his team to meet the diverse needs of the energy industry.
A research team led by Prof. Wei Ren of CUHK’s Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering has developed an ultra-sensitive laser sensing system capable of detecting dozens of gases with unprecedented precision. The team is now developing commercial applications that could reshape the future of industrial safety in the energy sector.
Traditional fuels such as oil and natural gas, along with emerging low-carbon alternatives like hydrogen, require sensitive and reliable monitoring technologies to analyse their compositions and prevent leaks. Conventional sensors, however, typically detect only one or two gases at a time and struggle to identify trace amounts of gases such as hydrogen.
World-leading gas detection capabilities
By contrast, the CUHK team’s innovative system can quickly and precisely identify dozens of gases, including hydrogen, greenhouse gases, hydrocarbons and various toxic pollutants, within a single integrated design. This versatility allows users to replace multiple sensing devices with one solution, hence reducing costs.
‘Our lab has mastered cutting-edge spectroscopy technology and built a robust toolbox that can customise detection solutions to diverse needs,’ Prof. Ren says.
The technology is not only fast and precise, but also offers the highest sensitivity in the world. It can detect incredibly tiny amounts of gas—the equivalent of finding a single drop of water in 20,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools—far beyond the capabilities of conventional sensors.
The team has also developed methods for detecting hydrogen, a notoriously difficult gas to monitor because it absorbs light weakly. The system boosts the ‘signal’ from the gas using mirrors that trap and amplify laser light and uses a carefully chosen laser wavelength that enables detection at levels far below the concentrations at which explosion becomes a risk, thus significantly improving safety for hydrogen applications.
From research breakthrough to commercial impact
Prof. Ren’s team has secured funding from the second round of the HKSAR Government’s Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus Scheme (RAISe+ Scheme) to translate the research into practical applications for improving safety in industries such as oil, gas, hydrogen and power generation. Under the scheme, each approved project receives up to US$12.7 million to support local universities in commercialising their research outcomes.
The laser detection system is integrated into mobile platforms such as inspection vehicles, robotic dogs, and surveillance drones.
(Photo courtesy of Prof. Ren)
The award recognises the innovative technology’s vast market potential, from Chinese Mainland’s pipeline networks to Middle Eastern power infrastructure and US shale gas operations. The project also addresses practical challenges in urban environments, including designing compact sensors that can be mounted on robotic dogs and drones to scan hard-to-reach pipelines.
Over the next two years, the team will use the funding to recruit specialist talent, establish a research and assembly centre in Hong Kong to enable in-house packaging of core optoelectronic components, and strengthen collaboration with industry partners through pilot programmes to pave the way for mass production. The commercialisation phase will be led by LaSense Technology Limited, a start-up founded by the team in 2019, which has already partnered with the Chinese Mainland’s oil and gas industry and Hong Kong utilities Towngas and CLP Power, among others.
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