Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences was set up in 1958. Initially, it was engaged in the research on solid state physics and electronics. In 1964, it changed its main research direction to the application and development of infrared physics and optoelectronics. Its emphasis has been placed on the development of advanced space remote sensing, small satellite, infrared staring imaging, infrared focal plane array, optical film, miniature cooler, optoelectronic information processing and network technologies etc.. It is a high-tech institute which has made great contributions to the country. 
 At present, it has 735 staffs. Among them, 492 are researchers including 5 academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2 academicians of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, 170 professors or associate professors, 179 engineers, 280 postgraduates, 13 post-doctors and 14 visiting professors.
Since 1988, the institute has developed remote sensors for the meteorological satellites of FY-1 series, FY-2 series, Shenzhou spacecrafts and the first sea satellite of China. The performance of these remote sensors have reached the world advanced level in the mid 1990s. The institute has also carried out the research on airborne remote sensing and provided advanced tools for remote sensing of the resources and environment in China. For a long time, the institute has been making researches on infrared photoelectric materials and devices. In particular, the HgCdTe detectors have evolved from single element and linear array types to the focal plane arrays. In the last several decades, the institute obtained more than 500 research achievements. Since 1985, it has applied about 180 national patents.
Its National Key Laboratory of Infrared Physics has published near 1000 papers on narrow forbidden band semiconductor physics and photoelectric physics etc..
 The institute pays its more attention to the commercialization of its new high-tech achievements. It has set up 12 high-tech enterprises such as Shanghai Tech-Phys Optoelectronics Co. Ltd. and the Sino-Japanese joint venture Shanghai Nicera Sensor Co. Ltd..
Over a long period of time, the institute has established wide connections with those academic communities and companies in America, Japan, Britain, Germany, Russia and Canada etc..
Entrusted by the Chinese Society of Optics, the institute is responsible for the edition of the Journal of Infrared and Millimeter Wave.