CSEM - CSEM SA

Innovation and sustainable progress

CSEM is a private, non-profit Swiss research and technology organization focused on generating value for a sustainable world.

More about CSEM

SPLENDID, the wearable sensory eating tracker

Preventing obesity and eating disorders

New way of providing personalized behavioral guidance to children and young adults tackle eating disorders and the ongoing obesity epidemic thanks to a non-invasive, unobtrusive, and cost-efficient solution.

SOFIA, the flying observatory

Atomic oxygen detected in Martian atmosphere

NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) explains the Red Planet's atmosphere, thanks to the performance of a complex CSEM mechanism on board.

SAVEmed

Ingenious traceability solution for the pharma industry

Printing holograms on medication and packaging for increased security.

Silicon-perovskite tandem cells

Paving the way to improved module efficiency

CSEM continues to demonstrate its commitment to turning "lab-buzzing" perovskite technology into the next probable industrial source of low-cost, high-efficiency PV devices.

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Expertise & Industries

Here are just a few of our areas of expertise and the industries in which we operate. To see a full list of expertise or industries, click the explore buttons below.

Photovoltaic module technology

Developing advanced packaging solutions and novel testing methodologies to better simulate field conditions and get quicker feedback on quality.

Industrial automation

Technologies for enhanced manufacturing and process flexibility, making high-quality, small-to-medium-volume products a reality.

Nanosurface engineering

Developing solutions focused on material and surface sciences, structuring processes, and engineering, and on understanding physical, chemical, and biological surfaces.

Energy systems

Developing innovative building technologies and working to integrate renewable energy sources, especially photovoltaic (PV) systems, into existing distribution infrastructures.

Microsystems integration & packaging

Developing new integration platforms and corresponding technologies for advanced packaging solutions and general MEMS assembly across a vast array of applications.

Microsystems design & process

Developing reliable MEMS products, from prototypes to small volume production. Focusing on macro-MEMS, soft-MEMS, harsh environment sensing, and MOEMS.

Scientific instrumentation

Developing complex, multi-technology systems involving significant physical layers. Topics include macro-MEMS, opto-mechatronics, and time and frequency technologies.

Biosurface engineering

Development of cell-handling, sensors, and sample-handling platforms based on proprietary technologies, particularly using manufacturing processes suitable for upscaling.

Photovoltaic thin films & devices

Developing next-generation solar cells with outstanding performance in terms of conversion efficiency, durability, integration capacity, and cost reduction.

Vision technologies

Vision solutions, including high-performance line and image sensors, classification and recognition algorithms, optical encoders, and stand-alone smart vision systems.

Wireless & short-range communications

Cutting-edge know-how in low-power radio and standards-based or dedicated proprietary protocols for the next generation of ULP, adaptable, and robust wireless systems.

Medical technologies

Developments range from innovative sensing technology for monitoring human vital signs to bio-signal processing and active medical device technologies. All ISO 13485 certified.

Printed electronics & sensors

Range of competences in materials and devices, using printing and solution process technologies for patterned photodiodes, organic transistors, and sensors.

System-on-chip design & technology

Ultra-low-power, highly miniaturized solutions with wireless connectivity and computing with in-house processor cores including DSP and sensor interfaces, and power management.

Silicon photovoltaics & metallization

Developing innovative process technologies and device concepts that boost the performance of crystalline silicon (c-Si) PV cells without increasing their cost.

Printed photovoltaics

Supporting equipment developers, materials researchers, industrial suppliers, and end users with innovative organic and inorganic printable materials and processing technologies.

Food & agriculture

Smart technological tools and solutions to ensure the optimal use of resources and support sustainable farming across all the processes of the food supply chain.

Space & astrophysics

Developing highly precise, compliant mechanisms or scientific instrumentation for use in space exploration, satellites, and telescopes.

Watchmaking

From groundbreaking silicon technology for new components to innovative, low-power, flexible, and wearable technologies for smartwatches.

Home & industrial automation

Smart, efficient, and reliable technologies and sensors for process and equipment optimization.

Healthcare, wellness & sport

Custom-made, innovative, non-invasive, and mobile healthcare solutions for sensors, implants, hearing aids, diagnostic tools, and laboratory instruments.

Energy & building solutions

Extensive experience in combining PV and energy management to offer energy-efficient concepts and develop effective solutions for the building sector.

Environment

Developing innovative sensors, integrated systems, and cutting-edge technologies to support the cleantech industry's drive to monitor and improve the quality of our air, water, and soil.

Information & communication technologies

Hardware, software, and systems integration expertise for the next generation of connected applications—from wearables to aerospace.

Semiconductor industry

World-class microelectronic design services to fully integrated ASIC, system-on-chip, or semiconductor optoelectronic components.

Biotechnology & life sciences

Miniaturization, integration, and microengineering expertise to develop new devices, tools, and systems for toxicology, pharmacology, and diagnostics and assays.

Aeronautics & transportation

Technologies that improve the safety, usability, and sustainability of transportation solutions.

Security & surveillance

Technologies and solutions to combat counterfeiting, ensure the safety of food and drugs, and protect both the natural environment and humans from injury, harm, and disaster.

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Osmotex

Osmotex was able to identify CSEM as the ideal partner. We have now launched our first series of micro-pumps on the market, and have relocated to Switzerland to further intensify our successful collaboration with CSEM.

To develop our proprietary electrokinetic micro-pump concept, our Norwegian start-up was looking for a partner with expertise in the fields of microfluidics, electrokinetics, and micro-integration. Thanks to this worldwide search, Osmotex was able to identify CSEM as the ideal partner to provide all these technologies. We have now launched our first series of micro-pumps on the market, and have relocated to Switzerland to further intensify our successful collaboration with CSEM.

Per Arne Lislien, CEO

EM Microelectronics

Our EM9301, a Bluetooth Smart (Bluetooth Low Energy) controller, is yet another example of the fertile collaboration we have enjoyed with CSEM for decades.

Our EM9301, a Bluetooth Smart (Bluetooth Low Energy) controller, is the result of a combination of CSEM's low-power radio chip technology and EM Microelectronic's innovative low-voltage design. It is yet another example of the fertile collaboration we have enjoyed with CSEM for decades already and which demonstrates that Swiss microelectronics is attractive and remains competitive, even in Asia.

Michel Willemin, CEO

SMS Concast Italia

When it comes to highly complex development tasks, we need a partner at eye-level, which perfectly understands our plants and offers both profound expertise and optimized service. We especially appreciated CSEM's reliability, flexibility, and wide range of know-how.

We have worked successfully with CSEM for several years. Together, we developed optical product recognition by SMS Concast to ensure the highest product quality and highest efficiency in our customers' production processes. When it comes to highly complex development tasks like this, we need a partner at eye-level, which perfectly understands our plants and offers both profound expertise and optimized service. We especially appreciated CSEM's reliability, flexibility, and wide range of know-how.

Guido Michelon, D&T Senior Engineer

Phonak

By joining forces, CSEM and Phonak Communications were able to develop a new wireless protocol for portable audio applications. We thank CSEM for its excellent contribution and look forward to working together on the next project.

By joining forces, CSEM and Phonak Communications were able to develop a new wireless protocol for portable audio applications. The uniqueness of this protocol is the implementation of a so-called distributed master concept. This allows any participant to seamlessly join or quit a network. We will integrate this very innovative protocol into several of our product portfolios. We thank CSEM for its excellent contribution and look forward to working together on the next project.

Evert Dijkstra, Managing Director of Phonak Communications

Limmex

The fact that we have come so far is largely due to the excellent and committed support of CSEM's team. We would like to thank CSEM for its extremely valuable support.

Both the Swiss Red Cross and end users tell us that LIMMEX will be a quantum leap compared to currently available products. When we have resolved the final technical issues and implemented solid industrialization, the product will have a promising future. The fact that we have come so far is largely due to the excellent and committed support of CSEM's team. We would like to thank CSEM for its extremely valuable support.

Sven Carlson, Co-founder and Member of the Board

Asyril

CSEM is always ahead of the technology curve and leads projects with great professionalism.

CSEM is always ahead of the technology curve and leads projects with great professionalism. Together with CSEM, we developed Asycube, a new device with high flexibility for feeding small parts. Thanks to this research project we were able to launch an innovative product onto the market—a product that has met with a great deal of success.

Alain Codourey, CEO

UCLA University of California Los Angeles

CSEM is by far the best company we have worked with in the past 20 years. We not only recommend them without reservation.

CSEM is by far the best company we have worked with in the past 20 years. We not only recommend them without reservation but also hope for a future project when we can once again benefit from their exceptional expertise and unique skills.

Ian McLean, Distinguished Professor/Director, Department of Physics & Astronomy

Melexis

We leveraged the excellent collaboration with CSEM, including enabling the transfer of know-how that will allow us to use this project as a technology platform for future circuit developments.

Melexis worked with CSEM on the development of a unique product concept, MLX73290, combining an energy effective RF-CMOS transceiver with a highly sensitive LF transponder targeting active tag applications and passive, keyless, automotive entry systems. We leveraged the excellent collaboration with CSEM, including enabling the transfer of know-how that will allow us to use this project as a technology platform for future circuit developments.

Damien Macq, Business Unit Manager—Wireless

Semtech

Semtech and CSEM have a relationship that goes back over ten years. We value CSEM's innovative capability and close collaboration and we hope to continue the strong relationship we have with them.

Semtech and CSEM have a relationship that goes back over ten years. This successful partnership has resulted in many co-developments and the transfer of many technologies. CSEM's ability to bring advanced wireless and sensing technologies to Semtech has been instrumental in Semtech's success in these areas. We value CSEM's innovative capability and close collaboration and we hope to continue the strong relationship we have with them.

Alain Dantec, Senior Vice President, Advanced Communications & Sensing

RUAG Aerospace

RUAG Aerospace has come to fully appreciate CSEM's experience and high level of competence in the design and simulation of high-precision space mechanisms integrating flexible structures.

Ruag Aerospace has been successfully cooperating with CSEM's Mechatronics group on the development and manufacture of a corner cube mechanism for the IASI (infrared atmospheric sounding interferometer) on the METOP satellite. In the framework of this project, RUAG Aerospace has come to fully appreciate CSEM's experience and high level of competence in the design and simulation of high-precision space mechanisms integrating flexible structures.

Marie-Thérèse Ivorra, Site General Manager, Nyon