TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Teams from National Taiwan University and the Taiwan Semiconductor Research Institute have jointly developed a new infrared sensor that can quickly detect gas leaks, helping to improve public safety.

Chen Hsuen-li (陳學禮), a professor in the university’s Materials Science and Engineering Department, said underground pipelines in some cities carry flammable gases such as propylene and methane. Citing a 2014 gas explosion in Kaohsiung, he said detecting leaks and issuing early warnings is critical, per CNA.

The teams used special silicon materials to build the sensor. They also added tiny metal structures to make it more sensitive to infrared light, improving its ability to detect gas, Chen said. The device can detect leaks and issue warnings before propylene and methane concentrations reach explosive levels.

Compared with conventional sensors, the device does not require external power or a cooling system during operation. The technology could be applied in industrial monitoring, energy facilities, and smart city systems.

Chen said typical gas sensors need external power and high temperatures to operate. They are less accurate at detecting propylene. Additionally, their response time is often over three minutes, making it difficult to detect rapid changes in gas levels.

The teams spent over a year developing the sensor, and their findings were published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials. Chen suggested placing a sensor every 500 meters in underground pipeline boxes to boost accuracy and safety.

According to the National Fire Agency, Taiwan recorded nearly 300 fires caused by gas leaks or explosions from 2022 to February 2025, with 129 people burned in the accidents.

The 2014 gas explosion in Kaohsiung killed 30 people and injured 321. About four km of roads in the city’s Qianzhen and Lingya Districts were destroyed, with manhole covers blown off and roads collapsing.