NEC has created a unique IR sensor with a sensitivity 3 times higher than all existing analogues

Mar 05, 2026 | News On Japan

Mar 05, 2026 (News On Japan) - NEC Corporation, a Japanese leader in advanced technology, has developed its own infrared sensor with sensitivity three times that of existing analogs.

This invention has caused a sensation and has delighted specialists worldwide. The company is currently working on finding practical applications.

NEC's new development is an uncooled IR sensor created using semiconducting carbon nanotubes. It boasts increased sensitivity, enabling it to detect even weak infrared rays emitted by various objects. According to the engineering team's calculations, their invention provides three times the sensitivity of all existing uncooled IR sensors.

This result was achieved using a unique extraction technology, also developed by NEC and patented in 2018. This technology is unique in that it uses single-wall carbon nanotubes, a mixture of semiconducting and metallic nanotubes. Through special manipulation, high-purity carbon nanotubes are obtained from them. The developers used these to create their unique IR sensor.

NEC achieved this success after nearly 35 years of research. It all began in 1991, when the company's engineers discovered carbon nanotubes and became the first to succeed in this field. After this, NEC became more actively involved in nanotechnology development and gradually became an industry leader. Further development of the carbon nanotube project intensified in 2018, with the development of the aforementioned extraction technology. This technology opened up new possibilities and contributed to the success. After some time, NEC specialists determined that thin films of carbon nanotubes exhibit a higher TCR (temperature coefficient of resistance). This discovery finally helped the team of engineers put all the pieces together and achieve the desired result: a highly sensitive IR sensor, the likes of which had never been seen before.

NEC's latest development has the potential to become indispensable in a variety of fields. Its increased sensitivity will enable various devices to detect even very weak infrared radiation and handle dozens of new applications. Experts claim that the sensors developed by NEC could revolutionize night-vision systems for automobiles. The devices used in these systems will detect infrared radiation from a great distance and more accurately detect the presence of people and animals on the road. The new development could also improve the effectiveness of 24/7 video surveillance. Its use in cameras will allow for higher-quality images and the ability to "see" even well-camouflaged objects. Another potential benefit is improved performance of navigation equipment in aviation and ground military vehicles. Finally, the latest IR sensors are expected to become indispensable components in modern thermal monoculars, binoculars, sights, goggles, and other similar devices, which will be introduced to markets worldwide.

In addition to NEC, representatives from AIST, Japan's National Institute of Technology (AIST), participated in the innovative IR sensor project. Their support helped accelerate the implementation of the ideas and achieve outstanding final results. Success was also made possible by ATLA, whose support through its research assistance program created a favorable working environment for the development team.

NEC is currently continuing its project to create highly sensitive IR sensors. The company and its specialist are working diligently to refine their invention and seek the best ways to apply it in practice. Their work is a significant contribution to the development of this field and contributes to technological progress.

Typhoons No. 28 and 29 Bring High Waves to Japan's Pacific Coast

Two typhoons moving across the Pacific southeast of Japan are expected to remain well away from the Japanese mainland, but powerful swells could bring rough seas to a wide stretch of the country's Pacific coastline throughout the three-day holiday weekend, according to forecasts updated at 3 a.m. on October 10.

Cyberattacks Spread Across Japan

A series of cyberattacks has disrupted business operations and exposed millions of customer records across Japan, with a ransomware attack on a cloud service provider affecting 495 companies and local governments nationwide, while convenience store operator Lawson has disclosed a separate breach involving more than 2.15 million personal information records.

Japan's First 360-Degree Projection Mapping Opens in Osaka

Japan's first 360-degree projection mapping show will open at the Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts on October 10, transforming the historic building into an immersive world of light, music, and seasonal imagery, with organizers hoping the attraction will also help stimulate the city's nighttime economy.

Tokyo University Professor Wins Nobel Prize in Chemistry

Tokyo University of Science professor emeritus Kenzo Soai has been awarded this year's Nobel Prize in Chemistry together with French chemist Henri B. Kagan for discoveries that transformed scientists' understanding of how chemical reactions can favor one of two mirror-image forms of a molecule.

US Military Halts All Okinawa Operations for 48 Hours

The US military suspended activities by all forces stationed in Okinawa for 48 hours from noon on October 7, an unusual measure following the arrest of a US Marine in connection with a robbery and murder case that has renewed scrutiny of crimes involving American service members.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Sci-Tech NEWS

Humanoid Robots Set to Enter Japanese Convenience Stores

Humanoid robots capable of stocking shelves, managing inventory, packaging products, and serving customers in more than 20 languages were showcased at an international retail industry event in Tokyo on October 8, highlighting the growing potential of artificial intelligence to transform store operations as Japan struggles with chronic labor shortages.

Tokyo University Professor Wins Nobel Prize in Chemistry

Qilin Hacker Detained in Japan

A core member of the international ransomware group Qilin was detained in Japan and handed over to German authorities, according to people familiar with the case, as Japanese companies and institutions face a growing wave of cyberattacks that has exposed nearly 15 million pieces of personal information this month alone.

Japan Startup Begins Building Rare Earth Production Facility

Miresso, a Japanese startup backed by trading house Mitsui & Co., has announced the start of construction of a facility to produce beryllium, a rare metal essential for nuclear fusion power generation, with plans to manufacture 100 tons annually, equivalent to about one-third of current global production.

World’s First iPS Cell Heart Surgery Performed in Osaka

A woman in her 50s with severe heart failure underwent what was described as the world's first surgery using commercially available iPS cell-derived heart muscle sheets at an Osaka hospital on September 29, marking the first practical use of the regenerative treatment.