WIKA Optical Sensing

About WIKA Optical Sensing

Oxsensis, now known as WIKA Optical Sensing Ltd, is a technology firm that designs and produces advanced optical sensors for operation in harsh environments where conventional electronic sensors fail. The company was founded in 2003 by David Gahan, Arnold Harpin, and John Drake. It originated as a spin-out from the Science and Technology Facilities Council's (STFC) Rutherford Appleton Laboratory at the Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire, UK. The founders had a background in data and telecommunications using optical technology, which led them to discover applications for optical sensing of pressure and temperature. The company secured several rounds of funding, including venture funding and investment from Carbon Trust Investments. In February 2023, Oxsensis was acquired by the WIKA Group, a global leader in industrial measurement technology, with the Harwell site set to become WIKA's center for optical sensing activities. Oxsensis addresses the challenge of accurately measuring variables like pressure, temperature, and acceleration in conditions of extreme heat (over 1,000°C), pressure, or high electromagnetic interference (EMI). Its business model is focused on selling these robust sensing solutions to blue-chip customers, including OEMs and systems integrators, in the aerospace, energy, and industrial sectors. Key partnerships with companies like GE Aviation, Parker Aerospace, Rolls-Royce, and Airbus have been crucial for product development and market application. The core technology utilizes Fabry-Pérot interferometry with sensors manufactured from single-crystal sapphire, a material with a melting point over 2000°C. Light is transmitted to and from the sensor via fiber optic cables, making the system immune to EMI and allowing for safe, precise measurements in volatile locations such as gas turbine combustors, aircraft fuel systems, and downhole oil and gas wells. Beyond traditional markets, the company is developing solutions for the energy transition, including cryogenic sensors for liquid hydrogen storage and combustion, supporting the shift to cleaner energy and Net Zero goals.