The global microbolometer market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 11.99% over the forecast period to reach a market size of US$907.581 million in 2027 from US$410.975 million in 2020.

Market Overview:

Today, the microbolometer, a device based on microelectromechanical (MEMs) technology, is the most common type of uncooled detector. The primary sensing method involves heating the material of the microbolometer's detector when infrared radiation with a wavelength in the range of 8–14 m impacts and absorbs it. They are made up of a grid of sensitive spots, or "pixels," made of various layers and absorbent substances like vanadium oxide or amorphous silicon. The rising use of microbolometers in the military and thermography sectors is one of the factors fuelling the expansion of the global market for them. Vanadium Oxide (VOx) is anticipated to generate the most revenue and dominate the microbolometer market as a whole in the upcoming years.

Growth factors:

Increase in surveillance systems installation

Across the globe, the demand for surveillance systems has increased significantly in recent years. In order to create so-called "smart cities" with ubiquitous surveillance, many firms and governments think cameras are essential. Through the use of microbolometers, thermal imaging has recently made its way into low-cost applications. The microbolometer enables the thermal imaging camera to provide a high level of precision at a reasonable price. The camera measures the heat emitted by an object's surface temperature and displays the result as an image on a thermogram screen. Arvind Kejriwal, the chief minister of Delhi, India, stated in December 2021 that Delhi would soon install an additional 1.40 lakh CCTV cameras. The CM declared that after the second phase of the CCTV installation drive, the city will have a total of 4.15 lakh cameras.

Aerospace and defence contributing to the growth

 The majority of domestic and foreign flights have been canceled due to the Covid-19 outbreak. The majority of aircraft are parked on the tarmac, and demand for civil aviation is falling. The International Air Transport Association estimates that it will be at least 2024 before worldwide air traffic reaches pre-epidemic levels. The loss of aircraft orders did actually have an impact on conventional MEMS sensors, such as pressure and inertial sensors. Long-term replacements for older thermal cameras using cryocooler-based technology in defence applications may be possible with thermal imagers based on microbolometers.

Application in new industries

Applications for intelligent buildings and cars are both completely appropriate for using infrared technology to safeguard people and the environment. In order to help systems more precisely identify objects in low-contrast settings, Lynred, a supplier of infrared detectors for the aerospace, defence, and commercial markets, has announced expanded capabilities over the whole range of their 12 m infrared detectors. These microbolometer-based infrared detectors with a 12 m pixel pitch have improved thermal sensitivity, enabling usage in a wide range of applications. Applications include incorporation into devices used for outdoor recreation at dusk or at night. The new line of 12 m microbolometers from Lynred is perfect for enabling optronics systems to provide the image quality end customers want to watch nature in all-weather and early morning woodland mist.

Key Developments:

• April 2020: The new Vayu HD camera from Sierra-Olympic Technologies Inc. ups the ante in terms of thermal imaging capabilities. The Vayu HD is the first Full HD 1920 x 1200 x 12 m uncooled VOX Microbolometer Array in the world, weighing just 475 grams and small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Particularly customers that want both a broad field of view and a high spatial pixel density demand this type of technology. Reduced size and weight, better image quality, and the dependability of an uncooled LWIR platform all work together to bring about a significant advancement in low SWaP-optimized thermal photography.
• November 2021: In order to help optronic systems more precisely recognize objects in low-contrast settings, Lynred has announced improved capabilities over the range of its 12 m infrared detectors. These microbolometer-based infrared detectors with a 12 m pixel pitch have improved thermal sensitivity, enabling usage in a wide range of applications. Applications include incorporating devices used for outdoor recreation at dusk or night.

Covid-19 impact on Microbolometer Market:

Although the pandemic has had a detrimental impact on several industries this year, some have benefited, like the thermal imaging market. The implementation of Elevated Surface Temperature (EST), or fever detection, has caused demand to soar in 2020. By identifying persons exhibiting symptoms like a fever in diverse infrastructural environments, such technologies could reduce the transmission of viruses. Microbolometers and thermal piles are also in high demand for thermometry, whether it be for straightforward temperature sensing or temperature imaging. The need for thermal imaging and sensing systems, including thermopile and microbolometer, is anticipated to soar as a result of the desire for contactless body temperature assessment, benefiting the entire industrial MEMS market.

Global Microbolometer Market Scope:

Segmentation:

• By Materials
  • Vanadium Oxide (VOx)
  • Amorphous Silicon (a-Si)
• By Application
  • Aerospace and Defense
  • Automotive
  • Video Surveillance
  • Thermography
• By Geography
  • North America
    • USA
    • Canada
    • Mexico
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Others
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • France
    • United Kingdom
    • Others
  • Middle East and Africa
    • Saudi Arabia
    • South Africa
    • Others
  • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • Japan
    • India
    • Others