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.

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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.

Energy systems

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

Photovoltaic cells and modules

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

Microsystems & MEMS

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

Vision systems

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

Nanosurface engineering

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

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.

Scientific instrumentation

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

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.

Industrial automation

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

Thin-film and emerging photovoltaics

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

Advanced micro-manufacturing

Development of digital microfabrication technology—mainly based on 3D printing and additive manufacturing—specifically for microsystems applications.

Microsystems functional packaging

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

Printed electronics & sensors

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

Biosurface engineering

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

Energy & building solutions

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

Watchmaking

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

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.

Healthcare, wellness & sport

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

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.

Space & astrophysics

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

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.

Home & industrial automation

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

Information & communication technologies

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

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.

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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

BASF

CSEM's R&D activities in the area of surface engineering are currently expanding and complement nicely BASF's existing competences in this field.

The collaboration between CSEM and the former Ciba legacy (now a part of BASF) in the area of nano- and microtechnology and printed organic electronics was important to building up new competences within the company. Such technology platforms are also of great importance to BASF. CSEM's R&D activities in the area of surface engineering are currently expanding and complement nicely BASF's existing competences in this field.

Andreas Hafner, Senior Innovation Manager

Meggitt Sensing Systems

This excellent collaboration with CSEM has led to an enabling sensing technology platform with potential in a viation and beyond.

It would have been highly unrealistic for us to achieve our 'bet' without CSEM's core technology.

Bertrand Pichon, Research & Technology Manager

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

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

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

Girard-Perregaux

CSEM's technological contribution complements the technical watchmaking expertise and experience of Girard-Perregaux.

Our company, a brand of the Sowind Group, is developing—together with CSEM—a new escapement device for mechanical watches. Etched out of a single piece of silicon in their clean room, the key component of this tiny device delivers minute increments of energy, driving a timepiece with unparalleled precision. CSEM's technological contribution complements the technical watchmaking expertise and experience of Girard-Perregaux.

Oclaro

We were keen to work with CSEM because of its know-how in optical design, packaging, and automation; but also because of its proximity to our R&D center.

We were keen to work with CSEM because of its know-how in optical design, packaging, and automation; but also because of its proximity to our R&D center, because of our long-term relationship, and because of CSEM's connections to Swiss industry.

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

Saia-Burgess Controls

Saia-Burgess Controls has teamed with CSEM in several successful innovation projects. This collaboration has been very stimulating, engaging, and fruitful.

Saia-Burgess Controls has teamed with CSEM in several successful innovation projects, ranging from component-based architectures—with their high flexibility, robustness, and reliability—to the interconnection of sensor networks for building automation. We were thus able to address additional markets and redefine product architecture to introduce new features. The collaboration with CSEM has been very stimulating, engaging, and fruitful.

Konstantinos Kafandaris, Manager of the Controller & Interfaces business unit