mechIC GmbH

We develop strain sensors:

mechIC stands for mechanical Integrated Circuits and describes the mission of our company: to gradually bring innovative micromechanical MEMS sensors to the market that do not require any electrical energy for measurement and storage and provide selected data. Instead of microelectronic components, we rely on mechanical components and circuits that are integrated into a silicon chip. The aim is to provide our customers with fail-safe, robust and easy-to-integrate component monitoring.

A mechIC strain sensor:

Unlike conventional strain sensors, mechIC's mechanical measurement concept offers the possibility of sensory condition monitoring without generating unnecessary data or requiring continuous electrical power during measurement. In addition, mechIC's micromechanical sensors can be manufactured in a more resource-efficient manner, as fewer work steps and hazardous substances are required. The highly integrative design of the sensor chips makes additional electronic components, measuring instruments and batteries obsolete.

mechIC strain sensors can be integrated into bridges, tunnels and wind turbines, screws, tension belts and all components that can be subjected to mechanical overload.

Active, a semi-active and a passive measuring mode:

• The active measurement mode is our first product. The micromechanical real-time sensor monitors strains and outputs them directly, e.g. via RFID, Bluetooth, LoRaWAN or classically via cable. In contrast to strain gauges, a mechIC strain sensor is already a highly integrated all-in-one chip solution that does not require any additional evaluation electronics.
• The semi-active measurement mode monitors critical components and actively triggers an alarm if a limit value defined by the customer is exceeded, similar to a fire detector in the event of a fire.
• The passive strain sensor with integrated micromechanical memory continuously monitors a strain signal without the need for electrical energy. The sensor stores the maximum strain value  or the number of theshold violations in a mechanical memory. The stored value can be read out externally via RFID. The main applications are in condition monitoring and structural health monitoring. 

Our USPs:

• In contrast to strain gauges, the mechIC strain sensor is already a highly integrated all-in-one chip solution that does not require any additional evaluation electronics. 
• A mechIC strain sensor is easier to install as it can be welded or soldered as well as glued. 
• The mechanical measuring principle makes the mechIC strain sensor insensitive to environmental influences such as temperature, humidity or electromagnetic fields. A patented mechanism compensates for temperature changes.
• Our sensors are made of silicon, which does not deform or creep. The measuring principle is purely mechanical, so there are no time-dependent electrical effects on the long-term stability.

The project:

On April 1, 2024, the 24-month funding of the project started as part of the EXIST research transfer of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK). During this time, the sensor is to be further developed to market maturity. The idea was developed at the Chair of Microsystems Technology (MST) at the Ruhr University Bochum (RUB). Furthermore, mechIC has been supported by the WORLDFACTORY Start-up Center (WSC) of the Ruhr University since the start of the process.