AWSensors
AWSensors is a Spanish scientific instrument manufacturer that designs, develops, and commercializes Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM/QCMD) acoustic biosensor systems using high-frequency (50–150 MHz) piezoelectric sensing for real-time, label-free molecular analysis, selling instruments, sensors, and custom solutions to academic, public, and industrial research customers worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersValencia, Spain
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What AWSensors does
AWSensors (legal name AWSENSORS SL, formerly ADVANCED WAVE SENSORS, S.L.) is a Spanish scientific instrument manufacturer founded around 2009 and headquartered in Paterna, Valencia. The company designs, develops, and commercializes Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) and QCM with Dissipation (QCMD) biosensor systems built on high-frequency acoustic wave technology, using AT-cut quartz crystals operating at 50–150 MHz to deliver nanogram-level, label-free, real-time molecular detection. Its core platform — the modular AWS A20 system — supports multiple sensor modalities (QCM, High Fundamental Frequency, and Love-SAW sensors), electrochemical QCMD via potentiostat integration with partners such as Bio-Logic, and configurations from a single-channel X1 system up to a 4-channel X4 Advanced Multichannel QCMD System introduced in 2026. The company also sells a full ecosystem of proprietary accessories (Q-Lock patented flow cell, fluorescence microscopy cell, immersion probe module, FCU-Pro flow control unit), consumable sensors and surface modification reagents, and the AWS Suite analysis software.
The business model is built on direct manufacturing, with revenue streams from instrument hardware sales, recurring sensor and reagent consumables, custom engineering projects, and technical support/training. Quote-based pricing applies for capital instruments; channels include the company's own website, a direct sales team, a regional distributor program, and an OEM distribution agreement with Bio-Logic for electrochemistry instruments worldwide. AWSensors' customer base to date is heavily skewed toward academic and public-sector research institutions — CNRS, Bar-Ilan University, IMBB-FORTH, University of Birmingham, UMEA University, Northwestern University — and it generates incremental non-dilutive funding through EU and Spanish government research projects (notably the CATCH-U-DNA Horizon 2020 FET-OPEN program).
Strategically, AWSensors continues to operate as a small private company (1–10 employees), relying on founder-led R&D, EU consortium participation for non-dilutive capital, and distribution partnerships to reach overseas customers. Recent activity (X4 product launch in 2026, ICEX-DANA internationalization program enrollment, ongoing BioprintedQCM project) signals incremental geographic and product expansion rather than rapid scaling. The company holds the Spanish Sello PYME Innovadora (Innovative SME) certification (2026–2029) and a granted patent on its Quick-Lock flow cell design.
AWSensors firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AWSensors
- Legal name
- AWSENSORS SL
- Website
- https://awsensors.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- AWSensors is a Spanish scientific instrument manufacturer that designs, develops, and commercializes Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM/QCMD) acoustic biosensor systems using high-frequency (50–150 MHz) piezoelectric sensing for real-time, label-free molecular analysis, selling instruments, sensors, and custom solutions to academic, public, and industrial research customers worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AWSensors industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Scientific Instruments / Acoustic Biosensor Systems
- NAICS
- Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519)
- SIC
- Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Biosensors & Lab-on-Chip (BioMEMS) (HDAHALAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Metrology, Calibration & Testing Equipment (Balances, pH/DO, Standards) (HLAGAIAL), Process Analytical Instrumentation (Gas analyzers, spectroscopy, pH/ORP, conductivity) (IMAGAFAE), Microphones & Acoustic MEMS (MEMS Mics/Ultrasonic Transducers) (HDAHALAH)
Keywords
Where AWSensors is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Valencia
- HQ country
- Spain
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
AWSensors business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Scientific Instruments and Hardware: AWSensors manufactures and sells QCM/QCMD instruments including the AWS-A20, AWS-X1, and X4 systems. These are high-precision scientific instruments for research and industrial applications sold directly to academic institutions, research labs, and companies.
- Sensors and Consumables: Sale of QCM sensors, HFF sensors, SAW sensors, measurement cells, and accessories. Products include 14mm and 1-inch diameter QCM sensors, AWS-HFF sensors, and specialized flow cells.
- Custom Solutions: Custom projects and developments to fit experimental requirements. The company offers custom sensor modules, specialized coatings, and tailored system configurations for specific research needs.
- Surface Modification Reagents: Sale of surface modification reagents for QCM applications including thiol monolayers and functionalization chemicals for sensor surface preparation.
- Technical Support and Training: Scientific seminars, customized training courses, and technical services for system users.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Quote-based pricing for scientific instruments |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
AWSensors product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AWSensors designs, manufactures, and commercializes Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) and QCM-Dissipation (QCMD) acoustic biosensor systems for real-time, label-free molecular analysis. The portfolio includes modular instruments (AWS A20 platform, X1 single-channel, X4 multichannel), high-frequency sensors (50-150 MHz), flow cells, immersion probe modules, surface modification reagents, and AWS Suite analysis software, serving academic research and industrial applications in life sciences, materials science, electrochemistry, and diagnostics.
Product overview
AWSensors Scientific Technology is a manufacturer of QCM (Quartz Crystal Microbalance) and QCMD (Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation) acoustic biosensor systems. The product portfolio centers on the AWS A20 platform as the core instrument, available in single-channel (X1) and advanced multichannel (X4) configurations, with modular expandability up to 4 channels. The platform is complemented by a comprehensive ecosystem of specialized sensors (QCM sensors, AWS-HFF high-frequency sensors at 100-150 MHz, and Love-SAW sensors), measurement cells (Q-Lock flow cells, fluorescence microscopy cells, immersion probe modules, FCU-Pro flow control units), and surface modification reagents. Analysis is enabled through AWS Suite software, while potentiostat integration provides electrochemical measurement capabilities. The technology enables real-time, label-free monitoring of molecular interactions with nanogram sensitivity for applications in healthcare, environment, agriculture, food, and materials science.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- AWS A20 Platform The most flexible and sensitive QCM-D system capable of working with low and high frequency QCM sensors and SAW sensors. Provides high sensitivity through a novel characterization method that keeps noise at very low levels using AWS-HFF sensors (100-150 MHz). Modular system upgradable from 1 to 4 channels post-purchase, designed for academic researchers and industrial scientists in life sciences, materials science, and electrochemistry.
- X4 Advanced Multichannel QCMD System Advanced multichannel QCMD system featuring the latest technology for high-throughput acoustic sensing measurements. Designed for research laboratories requiring multiple parallel measurements, the X4 expands the AWS A20 platform's multichannel capability for formulation engineering, materials science, and biosensing research.
- X1 Single-channel QCMD System Single-channel QCMD system offering fast and sensitive measurements with low sample volume. Features modular, space-saving design with flexibility for classical and HFF QCMD, and Love-SAW operation. Cost-effective with integrated potentiostat control for individual research labs requiring high-sensitivity measurements on a budget.
- FCU-Pro Flow Control Unit Advanced flow control unit with multiple carrier fluid lines and an FPLC injection loop for precision and control in QCMD measurements. An accessory for AWSensors QCMD platforms enabling sophisticated fluid handling for biosensing and chromatography-coupled experiments.
- AWS EQCM Probe Module for Immersion Sensor module designed for immersion measurements in strong or hot solutions (up to 150°C). Parts in contact with liquid are made of PEEK and PTFE for chemical resistance, featuring see-through chamber and hermetical sealing with PTFE cover. Developed for Northwestern University collaboration, useful for materials science and electrochemistry research in aggressive chemical environments.
- Q-Lock Flow Cell Patented Quick-Lock design flow cell providing reliable and reproducible measurements for QCM applications. Features quick-lock mechanism for the AWS-A20 platform, enabling fast and consistent sensor setup.
- Fluorescence Microscopy QCMD Cell Specialized cell for combined QCMD and fluorescence microscopy work, enabling multi-modal analysis capabilities for researchers requiring simultaneous acoustic and optical measurements.
- QCM Sensors High-frequency acoustic wave sensors including standard QCM, AWS-HFF sensors (100-150 MHz), and SAW sensors for various sensing applications. Available in 14mm and 1-inch diameter configurations.
- Love-SAW Sensors Love-type acoustic wave sensors using AT-cut quartz substrate with SiO2 guiding layer with center frequency of approximately 120 MHz for liquid sample detection applications.
- Surface Modification Reagents Reagents for surface modification of QCM sensors including thiol monolayers for gold substrate functionalization and covalent immobilization of biomarkers. Consumables for preparing sensor surfaces for biosensing experiments.
- AWS Suite Analysis Software Full-featured analysis software for AWS-A20 platforms enabling QCM experiments with or without electrochemistry. Features project-based data management, modeling tools, and remote device access via IP address. User-friendly interface for scientists analyzing QCM experimental data.
- QCM Custom Solutions Custom projects and developments to fit specific experimental requirements including custom sensors, specialized coatings, and tailored system configurations for specific research needs. Service offering for researchers with unique experimental requirements not met by standard catalog products.
Quantifiable outcome
- Limit of detection improvement of up to 2 orders of magnitude compared to traditional acoustic sensors
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use AWSensors
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
AWSensors technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature6 records
AWSensors partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Bio-LogiccoreBio-Logic serves as the worldwide OEM distributor for AWSensors electrochemistry instruments. They exhibit AWS A20-F20 platforms at international conferences including the 5th International Conference on Bio-sensing technology in Riva del Garda, Italy. The partnership enables global distribution of AWSensors EQCM systems through Bio-Logic's established sales network.
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology FORTH (Greece)coreProf. Electra Gizeli's Biosensors group at FORTH collaborates with AWSensors on multiple EU-funded research projects including CATCH-U-DNA (coordinator) and LiqBiopSens for liquid biopsy and cancer diagnostics using acoustic sensing technology.
- Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV)coreCollaborates with AWSensors through Centro de Investigación e Innovación en Bioingeniería (CIIGB) on multiple research projects including honey adulteration DNA biosensor project and liquid biopsy platform development.
- University Pierre et Marie Curie (France)coreLaboratoire interfaces et systémes electroquimiques (LISE) collaborates with AWSensors on research projects including honey adulteration detection. Dr. Hubert Perrot is a key collaborator.
- Autonomous University of Madrid (Spain)corePart of the CATCH-U-DNA consortium under Horizon 2020 FET-OPEN, contributing expertise in molecular biology and biosensor development.
- University of Crete (Greece)coreCollaborates with AWSensors on liquid biopsy platform development combining HFF-QCM devices with dynamic chemistry for detecting mutations in circulating DNA.
- Curie Institute (France)corePart of the CATCH-U-DNA consortium contributing expertise in cancer research and molecular diagnostics for early cancer detection.
- Ben Gurion University of the Negev (Israel)corePart of the CATCH-U-DNA consortium contributing expertise in biosensing technology and cancer diagnostics.
- Jobst Technologies (Germany)coreGerman company participating in CATCH-U-DNA project bringing expertise in microfluidics and biosensor commercialization.
- Northwestern University (USA)coreCollaboration with Prof. Kenneth Shull's team for sensor module development including a new sensor module for immersion specifically designed for Northwestern's research needs.
- ICEX-DANAminorAWSensors participates in ICEX-DANA internationalization project funded by European Union and Spanish government to support global expansion of Spanish companies.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
AWSensors competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- INFICON: INFICON manufactures quartz crystal deposition monitors and related sensor instrumentation for thin-film and vacuum applications. Overlapping use of quartz crystal sensing technology positions it as an adjacent incumbent to AWSensors in quartz crystal transducer deployments.
- Metrohm Autolab: Metrohm Autolab produces electrochemical measurement instrumentation including integrated EQCM modules for research and industrial labs. Comparable to AWSensors' electrochemistry-integrated offerings within a broader analytical instruments portfolio.
- Bio-Logic: Bio-Logic is a French manufacturer of electrochemical instruments (potentiostats, EIS) and related scientific equipment, and is also AWSensors' OEM distribution partner for electrochemistry instruments. They broaden the addressable scientific instruments portfolio in which AWSensors competes for research budgets.
- Gamry Instruments: Gamry manufactures electrochemical measurement instrumentation including potentiostats and integrates QCM and EQCM modules. It is a broad incumbent in the electrochemistry research instrument market that AWSensors' EQCMD systems compete against for grant-funded labs.
Direct peers
- BioNavis: BioNavis develops combined QCM and MP-SPR instruments for label-free molecular interaction and thin-film characterization. Their multi-parametric surface plasmon resonance and QCM-D systems directly overlap with AWSensors' combined acoustic and electrochemical platform.
- Stanford Research Systems (SRS): Stanford Research Systems manufactures QCM instrumentation and accessories used in research labs alongside other analytical instruments. Comparable to AWSensors as a manufacturer of QCM instruments for thin-film and adsorption research.
- Attana AB: Attana is a Swedish life-science company that commercializes QCM-based label-free biosensor instruments and assays for protein, antibody, and biomarker interaction analysis. It targets the same academic and biotech customers with similar acoustic biosensor technology as AWSensors.
- 3T analytik: 3T analytik produces QCM-D instrumentation focused on biomedical and surface chemistry applications in academic research labs. Comparable to AWSensors as a smaller direct QCM-D instrument maker.
- Biolin Scientific (QSense): Biolin Scientific's QSense brand is the dominant supplier of QCM-D instruments used for surface interaction and viscoelastic characterization in academic and industrial research. It is the most direct competitor to AWSensors' AWS-A20 and X4 systems in label-free acoustic biosensing.
Others
- Nanoscience Instruments: Nanoscience Instruments distributes and supports SPM/AFM probes and complementary nanotechnology characterization tools including QCM sensors. It is comparable as an adjacent ecosystem participant supplying sensors and supporting instrumentation used in similar research workflows.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
AWSensors social profiles
Digital presenceAWSensors compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
AWSensors financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AWSensors leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
AWSensors funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AWSensors M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about AWSensors
What does AWSensors do?
AWSensors designs, manufactures, and commercializes Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) and QCM-Dissipation (QCMD) acoustic biosensor systems for real-time, label-free molecular analysis. The portfolio includes modular instruments (AWS A20 platform, X1 single-channel, X4 multichannel), high-frequency sensors (50-150 MHz), flow cells, immersion probe modules, surface modification reagents, and AWS Suite analysis software, serving academic research and industrial applications in life sciences, materials science, electrochemistry, and diagnostics.
Is AWSensors a public or private company?
AWSensors is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was AWSensors founded?
AWSensors was founded in 2009. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is AWSensors based?
AWSensors is headquartered in Valencia, Spain, in the Europe region.
How does AWSensors make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Scientific Instruments and Hardware is the primary driver. The others are sensors and Consumables, custom Solutions, surface Modification Reagents and technical Support and Training.
Who are AWSensors's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are INFICON, Metrohm Autolab, Bio-Logic and Gamry Instruments. Direct peers are BioNavis, Stanford Research Systems (SRS), Attana AB, 3T analytik and Biolin Scientific (QSense). Nanoscience Instruments is listed as an others.
Does AWSensors have an API?
No public API is recorded for AWSensors.
What industry is AWSensors in?
AWSensors's product category is Scientific Instruments / Acoustic Biosensor Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAHALAK, Biosensors & Lab-on-Chip (BioMEMS), with a secondary code of HLAGAIAL, Metrology, Calibration & Testing Equipment (Balances, pH/DO, Standards). Its NAICS code is 334516 and its SIC code is 3826.