I/FIMS Technology

I/FIMS Ice Sensor Technology

Finger electrodes embedded in an alumina carrier establish an electrical field tightly confined to the sensor surface. Any material coming into contact with — or moving over — the sensor changes the field in characteristic, measurable ways.

Instrumar's proprietary software analyzes these electrical changes in real-time to identify exactly what is on the surface, how much, and how it changes — up to 20,000 times/second.

Sensor capabilities validated through Wind Tunnel and NRC In-Flight Testing (TRL 7).

Direct measurement. No inference. No cameras. No probes.

Key Attributes

Why I/FIMS Outperforms Traditional Ice Detection

Direct Measurement

Detects the electrical signal of surface materials — no inference, no cameras, no probes.

Flush-Mounted

Can sit level with host surfaces including wings and engine cowlings — no moving parts, no aerodynamic penalty.

Continuous & Real-Time

Replaces periodic or manual readings and inspection with uninterrupted automated monitoring and alerting.

SLD Icing Capable

One of the only sensors that works with both traditional icing as well as SLD icing — the most challenging type of icing to detect.

High Sensitivity

Can detect and alarm on micrometer ice thickness, including ice crystals. TRL 7 — Sensor capabilities validated through Wind Tunnel and NRC In-Flight Testing.

Sensor Platform

One Platform.
Every Harsh Environment.

Canadian-invented, Canadian-made electromagnetic sensing technology — adaptable to any platform, ready for Arctic and Defence applications.

Aircraft — In-Flight and Ground Ice Detection

Developed and tested for both on-ground and in-air use. Capable of detecting a full range of atmospheric icing conditions as well as de-icing fluid failure on wing surfaces before departure. Instrumar achieved FAA AMOC certification for the C/FIMS ground-based de-icing fluid integrity monitoring system.

Naval Vessels — Vessel Surface and Superstructure Icing

Superstructure icing is a leading safety risk in Arctic maritime operations. Instrumar's sensor technology mounts on a variety of hull, deck, and equipment surfaces and provides continuous monitoring — giving vessel operators early, actionable warning of icing conditions before ice accumulation compromises stability, safety, or operations.

UAVs & Drones — Contaminant Detection for Unmanned Platforms

Instrumar sensors provide early detection of both conventional and supercooled large droplet icing, expanding flight envelopes and reducing the risk of UAV loss. Operators receive critical time to act — protecting missions, assets, and flight safety in the world's harshest environments.

Power Lines, Towers & Ground Equipment

Ice loading on transmission lines and communications infrastructure is a critical risk in northern environments. Instrumar sensors provide early warnings of icing conditions for a variety of ground-based infrastructure, minimizing potential downtime and unplanned outages.

Capabilities & Technology

30+ Years of Sensor Innovation

Instrumar has more than three decades of experience developing, certifying and commercialising electromagnetic sensor systems — from avionics to power infrastructure. Our track record demonstrates the capability to take complex sensor technology from concept to certification.

A Canadian-owned industrial technology company with full electronics design, prototyping, and testing capabilities — and proven commercial partnership experience with government organizations, OEMs and Tier 1 Integrators.

Credentials

  • 30+ years of aerospace hardware & certification experience
  • Multiple patents
  • Full electronics design, prototyping and testing capabilities
  • Embedded and full-stack software development
  • Proven partnerships with government organizations, OEMs and Tier 1 Integrators
  • 20+ years of AS9100/D and ISO 9001:2015 certification experience
  • 6,000 sq ft production facility — ESD controlled assembly and testing
  • Electronic assembly work done to IPC-A-610

Emergency Locator Transmitters for Aircraft — Divested 2018

For more than 20 years, Instrumar was Honeywell's exclusive ELT developer and manufacturing partner, and the largest ELT manufacturer for commercial aircraft in the world. Instrumar designed, certified and scaled the business and successfully exited in 2018.

Aircraft Ground Ice Detection (C/FIMS) — FAA AMOC Certified

Developed and achieved FAA AMOC certification for the C/FIMS ground-based de-icing fluid integrity monitoring system. C/FIMS identifies ice, frost, water and failed de-icing fluid on wing surfaces prior to take-off.

Transmission Tower Ice Detection Sensor

Developed a dedicated ice sensor for power transmission infrastructure, monitoring ice loading in real-time on tower surfaces and lines in northern and Arctic environments.

Synthetic Fibre Production Quality Sensor

Instrumar's core EM sensor technology is used by synthetic fibre manufacturers for detecting and mitigating quality defects in real-time. More than 11,000 sensors are in commercial use with some of the world's leading fibre manufacturers, powered by Instrumar's latest AI-driven software for production monitoring and alarming.

Liquid Carry Over Sensor (LCoS) — NASA / ESA / ISS

Developed a sensor in conjunction with Allied Signal, NASA and ESA for the International Space Station to monitor humidity in the air exiting Condensing Heat Exchangers in long-duration human spaceflight missions.

What We're Looking For

Partner With Instrumar

Systems Integrators

Working on Arctic and Defence platforms.

OEMs

Seeking ice detection capabilities for aircraft, UAVs or naval vessels.

Defence R&D Partners

Collaborating on next-generation sensing technologies.

Commercial Partners

Co-developing applications in new domains.

Investors

Supporting Canadian sensor technology and defence innovation.