mini sensor for seismological measurements is conquering the world

mini sensor for seismological measurements is conquering the world

In five years time I knew Innoseis to translate a scientific development into a market-oriented application: small sensors that map underground vibrations. As a partner, tbp works together with this innovative startup to continuously optimize design and production.

When Mark Beker was doing his PhD research at Nikhef*, he and professor Jo van den Brand came up with the idea to use gravitational wave technology for new, commercial purposes. They founded Innoseis and became the managing CEO and CTO. About 20,000 Tremornet sensors for seismological measurements were delivered last year and this year the same number was already on the order list for the first quarter. Contacts with worldwide partners and scientific publications give the product exposure and the highly scientific background strengthens the reliability.

small variant

'Sensors for gravitational wave research are sometimes three kilometres long and very sensitive. We have used the development knowledge for small seismic sensors that are more practically applicable', explains Mark Beker. 'Companies such as Shell are interested in this, because they can look up to four kilometres deep 'into the ground' and collect important information about reservoirs of oil, gas or geothermal energy (geothermal heat). The data helps with risk analysis and with the responsible and efficient use of these energy sources.'

A Tremornet sensor is about 11 by 9 by 5 centimeters and weighs only 650 grams. A network of about 10,000 of them is created on a surface of one hundred square kilometers. Communication takes place wirelessly via the Internet of Things thanks to the printed circuit board assemblies (pcba's) produced by tbp. The long battery life is also of distinguishing value.

collaboration with tbp

tbp has been involved in the development since the design phase and the production of prototypes. Early supplier involvement with Design for eXcellence ensures design optimization and industrialization to a product that can be produced on a large scale. Several orders put the counter at 40,000 delivered units, for which tbp not only took care of the pcba's but also the entire box building including housing and accessories. The degree of automation of the process is increasing in order to scale up to larger numbers.

'Quality is our top priority, we want to launch a top product on the market immediately', emphasizes Jo van den Brand. 'The chosen test strategy guarantees that quality with a high degree of certainty. The continuous cycle of design, production, application and redesign is unique. We will now link the practical experiences to the test results and we will translate the conclusions into further design and process optimization. In this way, we work together to achieve the highest possible quality.'

special applications

'The sensor technology originates from science and after further development we also supply it back for academic purposes', Mark Beker continues. 'The test in South Africa to detect elephant and human movements and thus identify risks for humans and animals is also special. The Dutch police have the same need, they see possibilities in our sensors to signal groups of people or vehicles at a distance in time. Our goal is to develop even better and smaller variants that will have a motion detection function in drones or automated vehicles, for example.'

Prestigious is the involvement in Einstein Telescope in South Limburg. Jo van den Brand plays an active role in this, among other things because of the use of the small sensors in preparation for this future gravitational wave detector. He proudly notes what Innoseis has already achieved: 'Five years ago Tremornet did not exist, now you encounter our sensors on all continents.'

“early involvement that's … one small step for tbp, one giant leap for manufacturing”

* Nikhef = National Institute for Subatomic Physics – a collaboration of five Dutch universities