Indigenous Multi-Gas Sensor: MEMS Technology and RDI Fund Commercialisation

On September 29, 2026, the Technology Development Board, a statutory body constituted under the Technology Development Board Act of 1995 within the Department of Science and Technology, entered into a formal financial agreement with Multi Nano Sense Technologies Private Limited, based in Nagpur, Maharashtra. The commercialization pact provides 37.51 crore rupees in direct government financial assistance toward an aggregate approved project outlay of 75.02 crore rupees. Financed under the Research, Development and Innovation Fund through Optionally Convertible Debt, supported under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) and Department of Science and Technology framework, the project aims to scale an indigenous Platform Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems and Analog Front-End System-on-Chip Multi-Gas Sensor from Technology Readiness Level 4 to Technology Readiness Level 9. This transition marks the advancement of an indigenously developed semiconductor sensing system from an experimental laboratory validation stage to a fully certified, commercially manufactured product.

The underlying architecture of the platform integrates a miniaturized MEMS-based gas sensing element, specifically an indigenous thermal conductivity and infrared detection mechanism, with an application-specific Analog Front-End System-on-Chip. This integrated configuration allows simultaneous real-time detection, signal conditioning, and quantitative differentiation of multiple industrial gases—including carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and methane (CH4)—within a compact package targeted at less than twenty-five millimetres by twenty-five millimetres by fifteen millimetres. The embedded system incorporates automated baseline calibration, ambient temperature and humidity compensation algorithms, and software-driven gas-signature processing libraries. To guarantee measurement precision in volatile operating settings, the platform utilizes specialized micro-hotplate heating structures that resist environmental contaminants and mechanical shock while consuming minimal electrical energy. Achieving a rapid operational response time targeted under two hundred milliseconds, the sensor platform ensures accurate measurement while operating on low power consumption profiles suitable for continuous remote monitoring across hazardous field conditions.

Developing indigenous multi-gas sensing hardware represents a strategic transition away from persistent dependence on imported semiconductor sensor assemblies. The sensor platform addresses high-risk operational environments spanning clean energy transition systems, including hydrogen production units, pressurized storage pipelines, and transport refuelling stations, where immediate leak identification prevents explosive catastrophes. Additional commercial and civil deployments encompass municipal piped natural gas distribution networks, commercial battery energy storage systems prone to thermal runaway off-gassing, petrochemical refineries, chemical processing units, and underground utility corridors. By demonstrating domestic engineering competency across silicon micro-fabrication, application-specific chip integration, and hermetic sensor packaging, the initiative strengthens India's semiconductor design ecosystem, safeguards intellectual property, and elevates domestic manufacturing capabilities in advanced electronic instrumentation.

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The Technology Development Board functions as a statutory body under the Technology Development Board Act of 1995 within DST.

The agreement was executed under the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund established under the ANRF and DST roadmap.

Financial support is structured as Optionally Convertible Debt amounting to 37.51 crore rupees of the total 75.02 crore rupee outlay.

The initiative supports national technological self-reliance mandates outlined in India's semiconductor and advanced manufacturing roadmaps.

The partnership agreement between TDB and Multi Nano Sense Technologies Private Limited was formally signed on September 29, 2026.

The sensing platform originated as an indigenous laboratory prototype validated at Technology Readiness Level 4.

The project funds the technical progression of the platform from TRL-4 to commercial production readiness at TRL-9.

India has historically relied almost entirely on imported high-precision multi-gas sensor modules for industrial safety systems.

The executing enterprise, Multi Nano Sense Technologies Private Limited, operates its primary technical facility in Nagpur, Maharashtra.

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The Department of Science and Technology oversees TDB project execution through specialized technical evaluation panels.

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The sensor combines a MEMS sensing element with a dedicated application-specific Analog Front-End System-on-Chip.

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Software-driven gas-signature processing libraries are embedded directly on the chip to ensure autonomous edge computing capabilities.

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The total approved project investment is 75.02 crore rupees, with 50 percent funded through government optionally convertible debt.

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The sensor platform features an ultra-compact target package size of less than 25 millimetres by 25 millimetres by 15 millimetres.

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Operational response time for detecting gas leaks is engineered to achieve a latency of less than 200 milliseconds.

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The integrated system maintains low power consumption, enabling deployment in battery-powered wireless monitoring networks.

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The sensor detects gas leaks across hydrogen supply chains, mitigating fire hazards in production and storage facilities.

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The platform monitors piped natural gas infrastructure and chemical plants to identify methane (CH4), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and carbon monoxide (CO).

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In large-scale battery storage facilities, the sensor identifies early off-gassing precursors to prevent catastrophic thermal runaway.

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The integration of auto-calibration algorithms prevents sensor drift caused by fluctuating ambient temperature and humidity levels.

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Educator's Insight

Imagine a tiny electronic nose on a silicon chip capable of sniffing out invisible, dangerous gas leaks before humans can smell them. This indigenous multi-gas sensor combines microscopic mechanical sensors with specialized electronic computing circuits on a single miniature board. By detecting multiple gases like hydrogen and methane in fractions of a second, it protects factories, gas pipelines, and battery storage complexes from explosions while operating on very low battery power.

In science and technology questions, examiners love testing Technology Readiness Levels and funding vehicles. Note that this project bridges a major commercialization gap by advancing the sensor from laboratory prototype at TRL-4 to commercial deployment at TRL-9 using Optionally Convertible Debt. Do not mistake TDB for MeitY; it operates under the Department of Science and Technology. Use the mnemonic SENSE: Silicon MEMS, Energy efficiency, Nagpur development, System-on-chip, and Early leak detection.

Indigenous Multi-Gas Sensor: MEMS Technology and RDI Fund Commercialisation

Key Concepts & Self-Assessment20 Key Facts

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