PIEMACS SARL

Their core work

PIEMACS is a Lausanne-based company specializing in piezoelectric and electrostrictive smart materials and their application in micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS). They develop material-based solutions for medical diagnostics, including lab-on-a-chip platforms and bio-compatible sensor devices. Their work spans from fundamental electrostrictive material research to applied products like touchless biometric scanners and advanced diagnostic tools.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

PIEMACS began with fundamental research in electrostrictive materials and bio-MEMS through the BioWings project (2018), where they participated as a partner in a larger consortium. By 2020-2021, they shifted toward leading their own application-oriented projects — a touchless fingerprint scanner (Digitus) and a diagnostic lab-on-a-chip (PiLOC). This trajectory suggests a company moving from materials research toward commercializable medical and sensing devices.

PIEMACS is transitioning from materials science research toward product-oriented medical diagnostics and sensing applications, suggesting readiness for closer-to-market collaborations.

How they like to work

PIEMACS coordinates most of its projects (2 out of 3), though these are smaller-scale CSA actions rather than large research consortia. Their one RIA participation (BioWings) was as a partner in a larger team. With only 6 unique consortium partners across 5 countries, they operate as a focused, lean collaborator rather than a highly networked hub.

A compact network of 6 partners across 5 European countries, reflecting a small but geographically diverse set of collaborations. No evidence of repeated partnerships or a dominant geographic cluster.

What sets them apart

PIEMACS occupies an unusual niche at the intersection of electrostrictive materials science and medical micro-device applications, bridging fundamental material properties with practical diagnostic tools. Based in Lausanne — a hub for precision engineering and medtech — they bring Swiss precision manufacturing culture to EU-funded research. Their ability to both contribute materials expertise to larger consortia and independently lead application-focused projects makes them a versatile, if small-scale, partner.

Highlights from their portfolio

• BioWings
  Their largest project (EUR 316,000) and the foundation of their electrostrictive materials expertise, exploring medical MEMS applications.
• PiLOC
  Demonstrates their pivot toward diagnostics — a self-coordinated project on next-generation lab-on-a-chip technology for advanced medical testing.