mechIC

We build

strain sensors.

mechIC strain sensors are highly integrated sensor chips that already output a digital value of the strain without additional electronics.

Our sensor chips work mainly mechanically. Thanks to a mechanical memory, the chip can detect overloads and store limit values even without a continuous power supply.

Our Sensors
work
mechanically.

Instead of microelectronics
we use micromechanics
to build mechanical integrated circuits.

Our goal

mechIC stands for mechanical Integrated Circuits. We build sensors that don’t need electrical energy. Our vision is simple but powerful: to make even the most basic products smart by integrating our innovative sensors. Imagine giving mechanical components, like screws, a memory to detect failure, wear or overload. That's what we do at mechIC. Our sensors don’t need any batteries, nor additional electronics. They are just small silicon chips that are easy to integrate. They work purely mechanical that can be read out by RFID.

Our product

Unlike conventional strain sensors, the mechanical measurement concept of mechIC offers the possibility of sensory condition monitoring without generating unnecessary data or requiring continuous electrical energy during measurement. Additionally, the micro-mechanical sensors of mechIC can be manufactured more resource-efficiently, as fewer work steps and hazardous substances are required. The highly integrated design of the sensor chips renders additional electronic components, measuring instruments, and batteries obsolete, thus also saving resources. The microsystem-based passive strain sensor was developed as part of scientific preliminary work at Ruhr University Bochum.

The project

On April 1, 2024, the 24-month funding for the project began under the EXIST Research Transfer program of the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK). During this period, the sensor is to be further developed to market readiness. The idea originated at the Chair of Microsystems Engineering (MST) at Ruhr University Bochum (RUB). Furthermore, since the beginning of the application process, mechIC has been supported by the WORLDFACTORY Start-up Center (WSC) of Ruhr-University as well as the Materials Incubator. In November 2023, an expert panel consisting of field-related scientists and representatives from industry confirmed the great potential of mechIC's strain sensors for both scientific research and industrial applications through the funding allocation.