Bolometer Market Size, Share, Opportunities, COVID-19 Impact, And Trends By Type (Microbolometer, Hot-Electron Bolometer), By Application (Thermal Camera, Particle Detectors, Fingerprint Scanners, Others), And By Geography - Forecasts From 2023 To 2028

A bolometer is a type of sensor that is used to measure the power of electromagnetic radiation in the infrared, microwave, and radio frequency range. Bolometer works by measuring the temperature rise caused by the absorption of radiation in a detector material, which is typically a thin film of metal or semiconductor. Bolometers are used in applications like thermal cameras, particle detectors, and fingerprint scanners because of their high sensitivity to temperature changes. The increasing demand for high-precision images, the need for high-sensitivity & high-resolution detectors for particles, and biometric authentication in various industries are driving the demand for bolometers, thereby positively impacting their market growth.

The increasing adoption of thermal cameras will boost the growth of the bolometer market.

Thermal cameras detect the radiation emitted by objects and convert it into a visual image, allowing users to see the temperature variations across a scene.  The usage of such cameras is increasing rapidly in various industries such as security and surveillance, automotive, and healthcare. Bolometers are used in thermal cameras to detect and measure the temperature of objects and environments, which is essential for applications such as detecting anomalies, monitoring equipment, and identifying energy losses. The growing demand for thermal cameras in various industries and applications is expected to boost the demand for bolometers. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported that the use of thermal cameras increased by 600% in 2020, as airports and airlines implemented measures to screen passengers for signs of fever. In 2020, the WHO reported that thermal imaging was being used extensively in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities around the world. This demonstrates that bolometers hold a great demand in the future.

The growing use of fingerprint scanners will boost the growth of the bolometer market.

Fingerprint scanners have become increasingly popular as a means of biometric identification in recent years. The bolometer is used to detect the heat emitted by the ridges and valleys on the surface of a fingerprint as it is pressed against a sensor, and these heat patterns are unique to each individual and can be used to identify a person with a high degree of accuracy. The use of a bolometer in fingerprint scanners is advantageous because it allows very sensitive temperature measurements. The increasing usage of fingerprint scanners is driving the demand for bolometers. The International Biometrics + Identity Association (IBIA) reported in 2021 that biometric technologies such as fingerprint scanners have become more prevalent and widely accepted for use in various applications including mobile devices, financial services, and travel and border security. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported in 2020 that it has continued to use fingerprint scanners for border security.

During the forecast period, the North American region is expected to hold a significant market share

North America holds a significant market share due to a large number of key players operating in the bolometer market, the growing awareness about the benefits of bolometers in various research applications, and the favorable government initiatives and funding in North America for the same. In 2020, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate announced a new program called the "Low-Cost Thermal Camera Development Program" which aimed to develop low-cost thermal imaging technology that could be used for various applications, such as border security, search and rescue operations, and firefighting. The program provided funding to several companies and organizations to develop new thermal camera technologies. In 2019, the Canadian government invested $59 million in biometric technology to improve border security and reduce wait times for travelers entering the country which also included the deployment of new fingerprint scanners and facial recognition technology at various border crossings and airports across the country. The growing usage of thermal cameras and fingerprint scanners will boost the demand for bolometers.

Key Developments

• January 2022: National Library of Medicines (NLM) introduced micromechanical bolometers for subterahertz detection that could unleash the full potential of plenty of applications in security, healthcare, and industrial production.
• September 2020: A team of researchers at Aalto University and VTT Technical Research Center jointly developed a bolometer that would improve the measurement of energy quanta during quantum computing.

Segmentation

• By Type
  • Microbolometer
  • Hot-Electron Bolometer
• By Application
  • Thermal Camera
  • Particle Detectors
  • Fingerprint Scanners
  • Others
• By Geography
  • North America
    • USA
    • Canada
    • Mexico
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Others
  • Europe
    • UK
    • Germany
    • France
    • Spain
    • Others
  • Middle East and Africa
    • Saudi Arabia
    • UAE
    • Israel
    • Others
  • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • Japan
    • India
    • South Korea
    • Other