Nanosensors

What Nanosensors does

Nanosensors is the AFM probe brand of NanoWorld AG, a privately held Swiss specialty manufacturer headquartered in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. Founded in 1990, the company designs and produces Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) probes and tips used by researchers and industrial users for nanoscale imaging, surface characterization, and materials science. Its portfolio spans a broad catalog organized by measuring mode — including non-contact/tapping, contact, force modulation, ScanAsyst/PeakForce, fast/high-speed scanning, vacuum, electrostatic, magnetic, lateral/friction, trench measurement, nanoindentation, biological, self-sensing/self-actuating, tipless, and XY-alignment probes — supplemented by branded flagship products such as the uniqprobe BioT and uniqprobe qp-fast, the Akiyama self-sensing/self-actuating probe, and the MSS-8RM 8-channel readout module for Membrane-type Surface-stress Sensors. The company also offers custom and special-development probes for unique research or industrial requirements.

The business operates on a one-time sales model through a global network of distributors, with direct sales from Switzerland covering any country without local representation. Regional websites for China (nanosensors.cn) and Japan (nanosensors.jp) indicate dedicated commercial focus on the two largest Asia-Pacific AFM research markets. The primary customer segments are academic and industrial research institutions conducting nanoscale imaging and characterization, with horizontal segmentation across use cases rather than vertical specialization. Nanosensors monetizes principally on probe consistency and quality reputation, leveraging more than three decades of R&D heritage, registered trademarks (NANOSENSORS, uniqprobe), and proprietary probe designs as differentiators. The company is a subsidiary of NanoWorld AG, has 51-100 employees, is privately held with no disclosed funding rounds, and reports no revenue or AI/technology platform plays in the input data.

Name

Nanosensors

Legal name

NanoWorld AG

Website

https://nanosensors.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Nanosensors (NanoWorld AG) is a Swiss manufacturer of Atomic Force Microscopy probes and tips, founded in 1990 and headquartered in Neuchâtel. It serves academic and industrial researchers globally with a broad catalog of specialized AFM probes, branded uniqprobe and Akiyama products, and the MSS-8RM readout module.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Atomic Force Microscopy Probes

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (3345)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829)

akta.pro primary industry

Sensor Fusion, Interface ICs & Modules (AFE/Readout/Packaging/Calibration) (HDAHALAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Pressure & Force Sensors (Pressure/Strain/Load Cells) (HDAHALAB), MEMS & Sensor Foundries (HDAHACAF), Microscopy, Imaging & Flow Cytometry Instruments (HLAGAIAE)

Keywords

• AFM probes
• Atomic force microscopy
• Scanning probe microscopy
• Nanoindentation tips
• Magnetic force microscopy

Headquarters

HQ city

Neuchâtel

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. AFM Probes Sales: Sale of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) probes and tips including specialized probes for various applications such as biological imaging, high-speed scanning, and enhanced resolution imaging.
2. Custom/Special Development Probes: Custom-designed and special development AFM probes tailored to specific research requirements.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Nanosensors manufactures Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) probes and tips used for nanoscale imaging and surface characterization across academic research and industrial R&D. Its portfolio covers the uniqprobe® series (BioT, qp-fast), the Akiyama-probe (self-sensing and self-actuating), the MSS-8RM readout module for Membrane-type Surface-stress Sensors, and an extensive catalog of probes organized by measuring mode (Contact, Non-Contact/Tapping, Force Modulation, Magnetic Force, Lateral/Friction, Nanoindentation, Vacuum, Enhanced Resolution, ScanAsyst/PeakForce Tapping, Fast/High-Speed Scanning, Electrostatic, Biological, Self-Sensing, Tipless Cantilevers, XY-Alignment, and Transfer Standards), with custom and special-development probe services available for unique research requirements.

Product overview

NANOSENSORS™ is a manufacturer of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) tips and probes, providing a comprehensive portfolio of specialized AFM probes for various measuring modes and applications. The product portfolio centers on the uniqprobe® series (including BioT for biological applications and qp-fast for fast/standard/soft tapping modes), the Akiyama-probe (self-sensing/self-actuating), and the MSS-8RM readout module for Membrane-type Surface-stress Sensors. Beyond these core branded products, the company offers an extensive catalog of AFM probes organized by measuring mode including Non-Contact/Tapping, Force Modulation, Contact Mode, Enhanced Resolution Imaging, ScanAsyst/PeakForce Tapping, Fast/High Speed Scanning, Vacuum, Electrostatic Force Microscopy, Magnetic Force Microscopy, Lateral/Friction Force Microscopy, Trench Measurement, Nanoindentation, Biological Applications, Self-Sensing/Self-Actuating, Tipless Cantilevers, XY-Alignment probes, and Transfer Standards. The company has operated since 1990 (R&D driven excellence) and is a trademark of NanoWorld AG, headquartered in Neuchatel, Switzerland.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• uniqprobe BioT High quality AFM tips designed for ScanAsyst mode with triangular cantilevers, engineered specifically for biological imaging applications on crystallites and nanoscale biological samples.
• uniqprobe qp-fast AFM probes for fast tapping, standard tapping, and soft tapping modes featuring unsurpassed small variation in spring constant and resonance frequency for uniform dynamic imaging performance.
• Akiyama-probe Self-sensing and self-actuating probe for Atomic Force Microscopy that integrates actuation and readout in a single tip, with documented set-up and electrical configuration guidance for users.
• MSS-8RM 8 Channel Readout Module Basic electronic module to operate and read out Membrane-type Surface-stress Sensors (MSS), supporting simultaneous readout of up to 8 MSS sensors.
• Non-Contact (NC) / Tapping / AC Mode AFM Probes AFM probes designed for non-contact, tapping, and AC mode imaging applications for nanoscale surface characterization.
• Force Modulation Mode (FM) AFM Probes AFM probes designed for force modulation mode measurements of nanoscale mechanical and topographic properties.
• Contact Mode (Cont) AFM Probes AFM probes designed for contact mode imaging of sample surfaces.
• Enhanced Resolution Imaging AFM Probes AFM probes designed for enhanced resolution imaging applications requiring sharper tip radii and higher lateral resolution.
• ScanAsyst / PeakForce Tapping AFM Probes AFM probes designed for ScanAsyst and PeakForce Tapping imaging modes for automatic image optimization and force-controlled scanning.
• Fast / High Speed Scanning AFM Probes AFM probes designed for fast and high-speed scanning applications to enable rapid nanoscale imaging.
• Vacuum AFM Probes AFM probes designed for use in vacuum environments for vacuum-compatible nanoscale imaging and measurement.
• Electrostatic Force Microscopy / Electrical Measurement AFM Probes AFM probes designed for electrostatic force microscopy and electrical measurement applications to map surface potential and electrical properties.
• Magnetic Force Microscopy AFM Probes AFM probes designed for magnetic force microscopy applications to image magnetic domain structures at the nanoscale.
• Lateral / Friction Force Microscopy AFM Probes AFM probes designed for lateral and friction force microscopy to measure nanoscale friction and lateral forces.
• Trench Measurement AFM Probes AFM probes designed for trench measurement applications, with geometries suited to reaching and profiling deep or narrow surface features.
• Nanoindentation AFM Probes AFM probes designed for nanoindentation measurements of local mechanical properties at the nanoscale.
• Biological Applications / Soft Contact Measurement AFM Probes AFM probes designed for biological applications and soft contact measurements on delicate biological samples.
• Self-Sensing & Self-Actuating AFM Probes AFM probes with integrated self-sensing and self-actuating capabilities, eliminating the need for separate actuation or detection mechanisms.
• Tipless AFM Cantilevers Tipless AFM cantilevers designed as a base for custom probe modification by researchers building their own functionalized or custom-shaped tips.
• XY-Alignment AFM Probes AFM probes designed for XY-alignment applications where precise lateral positioning of the tip is required.
• Transfer Standards Calibration and transfer standard AFM probes used as reference standards for instrument calibration and measurement traceability.
• Special Developments (Custom Probes) Custom-designed and special development AFM probes tailored to specific research requirements not addressed by the standard catalog offerings.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• NanoWorld AGcoreOthersNANOSENSORS is a trademark of NanoWorld AG. NanoWorld AG is the parent company that owns the Nanosensors brand and operates the business from Neuchatel, Switzerland.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• NT-MDT SI: NT-MDT is a major AFM instrument and probe manufacturer with a broad portfolio of probes for various measuring modes. Directly competes with Nanosensors across multiple AFM probe categories globally.
• Oxford Instruments (Asylum Research): Asylum Research (Oxford Instruments) manufactures high-end AFMs and associated probes for academic and industrial research. Competes with Nanosensors on probe supply for the installed base and is a recognized AFM probe supplier.
• NanoAndMore: NanoAndMore is both an AFM probe distributor and a probe manufacturer offering a wide portfolio of probes and tips. Overlaps with Nanosensors in product range and distribution channels across Europe and North America.
• Park Systems AFM Probes: Park Systems manufactures AFM instruments and offers a line of AFM probes and cantilevers. Competes in the research-grade AFM probe market, particularly in industrial metrology and semiconductor inspection.
• Bruker AFM Probes: Bruker is the largest AFM instrument manufacturer and sells its own line of AFM probes. It is the most direct competitor in the consumables market, offering similar probe categories and benefiting from first-party instrument-to-probe bundle economics.
• TipsNano: TipsNano is an AFM probe specialist offering a wide range of probes for tapping, contact, and specialized modes. Directly comparable as a focused AFM probe manufacturer competing in the same product categories as Nanosensors.
• MikroMasch (now part of IQN): MikroMasch is a well-known AFM probe manufacturer offering silicon and silicon nitride cantilevers for various AFM modes. Directly competes in catalog AFM probe sales globally.

Regional players

• Ted Pella Inc. Ted Pella is a major North American distributor and manufacturer of AFM probes and electron microscopy supplies. Functions both as a competitor in branded probes and as a complementary distributor channel for AFM consumables.

Emerging players

• BudgetSensors: BudgetSensors focuses on affordable, high-volume AFM probes for routine applications. Competes on price in the lower end of the catalog, posing margin pressure on standard Nanosensors SKUs.
• Team Nanotec: Team Nanotec manufactures specialized AFM probes and related nanotechnological tools, including conductive and magnetic probes. Overlaps with Nanosensors in specialty probe categories.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC4SXZCm0CXLiilgjc6JIgNA
• Xx.com/NANOSENSORS
• Facebookfacebook.com/nanosensors
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/2408274

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Nanosensors