CSEM CENTRE SUISSE D'ELECTRONIQUE ET DE MICROTECHNIQUE SA - RECHERCHE ET DEVELOPPEMENT

Their core work

CSEM is Switzerland's premier applied research center for microelectronics, photovoltaics, and sensor technologies, bridging the gap between academic research and industrial products. They develop miniaturized smart systems — from MEMS devices and infrared sensors to high-efficiency solar cells and smart grid components — and bring them to manufacturing readiness. Their work spans the full chain from microfabrication and photonics to system integration, serving industries including energy, aerospace, medical devices, and consumer electronics. With deep expertise in both silicon-based technologies and advanced sensing, they function as a technology transfer engine for European industry.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In 2015-2018, CSEM focused broadly on safety research (aviation, transport), smart electronics for biomedical applications (wound healing patches), and early photovoltaic work — their keyword profile was scattered across safety, light therapy, and smart systems integration. From 2019 onward, their work sharpened around sensors (particularly mid-infrared and electrochemical), advanced PV modules, smart grid technologies, and machine learning/FPGA-based processing, reflecting a clear pivot toward data-driven sensing and energy applications. The health dimension also evolved from device-level work toward population-scale themes like personalised nutrition, diabetes, and breath/urine analysis — suggesting sensor expertise being redirected toward health diagnostics.

CSEM is converging its sensor and data capabilities toward applied domains — expect future projects combining mid-IR sensing, machine learning, and real-time analytics for energy, health diagnostics, and environmental monitoring.

How they like to work

CSEM primarily operates as a high-value partner (72 of 88 projects as participant), joining large consortia where their microfabrication and sensing expertise fills a specific technology gap. However, they also lead projects when the topic sits squarely in their core — 16 coordinated projects, particularly in photovoltaics and sensor systems. With 988 unique consortium partners across 40 countries, they are a network hub rather than a loyal-partner organization, making them easy to integrate into new consortia without pre-existing relationship requirements.

CSEM has collaborated with 988 unique partners across 40 countries, making them one of the most broadly connected research centers in the H2020 ecosystem. Their network spans all major EU member states and associated countries, with particular density in Western European industrial and research hubs.

What sets them apart

CSEM occupies a rare position as a non-university, non-corporate research center that can take technologies from lab-scale proof-of-concept through to pilot manufacturing — particularly in photovoltaics, MEMS, and photonics. Unlike university labs, they have cleanroom fabrication infrastructure; unlike large corporates, they remain technology-neutral and open for collaboration. Their Swiss base gives them access to both EU framework programmes and Switzerland's precision manufacturing ecosystem, making them an ideal bridge for consortia needing fabrication-ready prototyping.

Highlights from their portfolio

• CHEOPS
  Coordinated this flagship perovskite solar cell project (2016-2019), positioning CSEM at the center of Europe's next-generation photovoltaic manufacturing push.
• MIRPHAB
  Five-year participation (2016-2021) in mid-infrared photonics fabrication — a long-duration infrastructure project that cemented their role as a go-to facility for chemical sensing device production.
• ROBORDER
  Received EUR 389,014 for autonomous swarm robotics for border surveillance — an unusual project for CSEM that showcases their sensor and embedded systems versatility beyond their core energy/photonics domains.