Safeguarding oil rigs from deadly gases

Optical micro-electromechanical systems – MEMS – technology has been applied to detect buildups of dangerous methane in oil and gas installations. A compact wireless sensor operates through tiny movements of silicon gratings, and can be tuned to look for particular gases. Originally developed by Norway’s SINTEF research organisation, the technology is being transferred through venture-backed spin-off GasSecure and has been evaluated by Norwegian oil company Statoil.