What CH Instruments does

CH Instruments, Inc. is a privately held, Austin, Texas-based manufacturer of electrochemical instrumentation, founded in 1994 and operating with a headcount of 1-10 employees. The company designs, builds, and sells a comprehensive line of potentiostats, bipotentiostats, and galvanostats, together with specialized instruments including the CHI920D scanning electrochemical microscope (SECM) and the CHI400C electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM). Its product portfolio spans more than ten instrument series (400C, 600F, 700F, 800D, 920D, 1000D, 1100D, 1200C, 1400, 1550A) covering general-purpose research, multi-channel array measurements, high-current battery/electroplating work, handheld field use, and ultra-low-current detection (sub-picoampere). Core technical differentiators include 10,000 V/s cyclic voltammetry scan rates, 16-bit dual-channel data acquisition at 1-2.5 MHz, 8 nm stepper plus closed-loop piezo nanopositioning for SECM, and 0.1-1 ng/cm² EQCM mass sensitivity.

The company sells directly through its website using a quotation-based model with no public pricing or e-commerce. US non-residential orders are processed through an affiliated entity, SYC Technologies, operating from the same Austin address, and an electrode/accessory channel partnership is in place with ALS Japan. Customers are segmented horizontally across academic and research institutions, industrial R&D, and field/teaching laboratories, with applications spanning corrosion, sensors, biosensors, batteries, liquid/liquid interfaces, and fundamental electrochemistry. Software is provided free to registered users (serial-number-gated downloads), and the libec SDK (v0.1.12) extends instrument control to LabVIEW, MATLAB, and C++/Qt on Windows, Linux, and macOS. The company holds rights under U.S. Patent No. 5,202,004 covering the foundational SECM technology, providing intangible-asset support across the academic electrochemistry research base.

Name

CH Instruments

Legal name

CH Instruments, Inc.

Website

https://chinstruments.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CH Instruments, founded 1994 in Austin, Texas, manufactures electrochemical workstations, scanning electrochemical microscopes, and quartz crystal microbalances for academic research labs, industrial R&D, and teaching facilities worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electrochemical Instrumentation

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825)

akta.pro primary industry

Analytical Instruments & Chromatography Systems (HLAGAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mass Spectrometry & Spectroscopy Instruments (HLAGAIAB), Microscopy, Imaging & Flow Cytometry Instruments (HLAGAIAE)

Keywords

• Electrochemical instruments
• Potentiostat galvanostat
• Scanning electrochemical microscopy
• Quartz crystal microbalance
• Electrochemical electrodes

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Electrochemical Instruments: Sale of potentiostats, bipotentiostats, galvanostats, SECM, EQCM, and multi-channel potentiostats. Various model series targeting different applications and budgets.
2. Accessories and Consumables: Working electrodes (gold, platinum, silver, glassy carbon), microelectrodes, reference electrodes, counter electrodes, SECM tips, cell stands, EQCM cells, flow cells, electrode polishing kits.
3. Software Updates and Support: Free software updates for registered instruments. Software requires serial number authentication for downloads.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

CH Instruments manufactures and supplies electrochemical analyzers and workstations, including potentiostats, bipotentiostats, galvanostats, scanning electrochemical microscopes (SECM), electrochemical quartz crystal microbalances (EQCM), and multi-channel potentiostat systems, along with electrodes, cells, and related accessories. The instruments are controlled from an external PC and serve research, teaching, and industrial R&D laboratories worldwide.

Product overview

CH Instruments is an electrochemical instrumentation company established in 1994 offering a comprehensive portfolio of electrochemical analyzers, potentiostats, bipotentiostats, and specialized instruments. The product line includes the CHI600F Series (general-purpose potentiostat/galvanostat), CHI700F Series (bipotentiostat for dual-channel measurements), CHI800D Series (electrochemical detector for flow cells), CHI920D SECM (scanning electrochemical microscope), CHI1000D Series (8-channel multi-potentiostat), CHI1100D Series (power potentiostat for high-current applications), CHI1200C Series (handheld potentiostat), CHI1400 Series (4-channel potentiometer/potentiostat), CHI1550A (solution dispenser), and CHI400C Series (EQCM). All instruments are controlled via external PC running Windows with software support extended to Linux and Mac OS X through Wine. The libec SDK enables integration with LabVIEW and MATLAB for custom automation. Supporting accessories include electrodes, reference electrodes, the CHI200 Picoamp Booster, CHI680D Amp Booster, and CHI684 Multiplexer.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CHI600F Series Potentiostat/Galvanostat General-purpose electrochemical analyzer/workstation for kinetic measurements, electroanalysis, fundamental research, and battery studies. Features fast digital function generator, high-speed dual-channel data acquisition, and measures current down to picoamperes with CV scan rates up to 10,000 V/s.
• CHI700F Series Bipotentiostat Computerized general-purpose potentiostat/bipotentiostat/galvanostat for applications requiring dual-channel measurements, including rotating ring-disk electrodes (RRDE) and dual-channel electrochemical detection. Includes AC impedance up to 3 MHz and USB 3.0 connectivity.
• CHI920D Scanning Electrochemical Microscope (SECM) Advanced scanning electrochemical microscope for examining chemistry at high resolution near interfaces. Features a digital function generator, bipotentiostat, 3D nanopositioner with nanometer spatial resolution and 50 mm travel, and sub-picoampere current detection. Applications include corrosion, biological systems, membranes, and liquid/liquid interfaces.
• CHI1200C Series Handheld Potentiostat/Bipotentiostat Compact handheld potentiostat/bipotentiostat powered by USB, designed for field applications and teaching laboratories. Features ±2.4 V potential range, ±2 mA current range, and 100 pA current measurement. Dimensions 7 x 4.5 x 1 inches.
• CHI1000D Series Multi-Potentiostat Eight-channel potentiostat system supporting eight independent cells or eight working electrodes in the same solution with common reference and counter electrodes. Features fast waveform generation at 5 MHz, data acquisition up to 1 MHz at 16-bit resolution, and potential control range of ±10 V for all channels.
• CHI1100D Series Power Potentiostat/Galvanostat Power potentiostat/galvanostat for applications requiring high current and high compliance voltage, including battery studies, corrosion, electrolysis, and electroplating. Features ±10 V potential control, ±2 A current range, and ±25 V compliance voltage.
• CHI800D Series Electrochemical Detector Electrochemical detector for monitoring current in flow cells during liquid chromatography/electrochemistry or flow injection analysis. Designed for analytical applications requiring high sensitivity and low noise. Available in single-channel and dual-channel configurations with bipotentiostat capability.
• CHI1400 Series 4-Channel Potentiometer/Potentiostat Four-channel potentiometer and four-channel potentiostat for array electrode characterization and sensor studies. Supports eight independent cells or eight working electrodes in the same solution. Used for real-time sensing at sensor arrays in cellular metabolism studies.
• CHI1550A Pico Liter Solution Dispenser Solution dispenser for high-density and high-accuracy solution arrays for chemical, biological, and medical applications. Features 3D positioner with 50 mm travel and 0.1 micrometer resolution, and piezoelectric jetting device producing 100-200 picoliter drops.
• CHI400C Series EQCM Time-resolved Electrochemical Quartz Crystal Microbalance for ultrasensitive mass measurements (0.1-1 ng/cm2). Integrates QCM with potentiostat/galvanostat for simultaneous electrochemical and frequency measurements. Applications include metal deposition studies, ion-transport processes, and biosensor development.
• Electrodes and Accessories Complete line of electrochemical accessories including working electrodes (gold, platinum, silver, glassy carbon), reference electrodes (Ag/AgCl, calomel, mercury/mercurous sulfate), microelectrodes, SECM tips, EQCM cells, flow cells, spectroelectrochemical cells, and electrode polishing kits.
• libec SDK Software development kit for controlling CH Instruments instruments from LabVIEW 8.2 or higher (32-bit), C++/Qt, and MATLAB. Provides programmatic access to instrument functions and techniques. Available for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X.

Quantifiable outcome

• Cyclic voltammetry scan rates up to 10,000 V/s
• +3 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• ALS Japan (ALS Electrodes and Accessories)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorALS Japan offers electrodes and accessories compatible with CH Instruments products. Listed as a partner resource for accessing additional electrode options and accessories beyond CH Instruments' own catalog.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• PalmSens: PalmSens is a Dutch manufacturer of handheld and compact potentiostats (PalmSens4, EmStat) plus a software platform (PSTrace). Direct competitor especially in the portable/field electrochemical measurement segment where CHI1200C competes.
• Gamry Instruments: Gamry is a leading US-based manufacturer of electrochemical instrumentation including potentiostats, EIS systems, and multipurpose electrochemical workstations. Directly comparable product lines, customer base (academic and industrial electrochemists), and business model to CH Instruments.
• Metrohm Autolab: Metrohm Autolab (formerly Eco Chemie) is a major European manufacturer of potentiostats and electrochemical measurement systems. Direct competitor in the academic and industrial electrochemistry market with comparable product breadth.
• Pine Research Instrumentation: Pine Research is a US-based manufacturer of electrochemical equipment including rotating disk/ring-disk electrodes, potentiostats, and accessories. Closely comparable specialty electrochemical instrumentation vendor with overlapping product focus.
• Ivium Technologies: Ivium is a Dutch manufacturer of compact and modular potentiostats/galvanostats (CompactStat, Vertex, Stat). Direct competitor in the benchtop and multi-channel electrochemical measurement market with modern digital UX.
• Zahner-Elektrik: Zahner is a German manufacturer of high-precision electrochemical workstations (Zennium, CIMPS) with strength in impedance spectroscopy and photoelectrochemistry. Direct peer in research-grade electrochemistry with strong academic following.
• Bio-Logic Science Instruments: Bio-Logic is a French manufacturer of high-end potentiostats/galvanostats and electrochemical workstations (SP-200, VMP-3, VSP-300). Directly competes with CH Instruments in research-grade electrochemical measurement, especially battery and materials research.

Broad incumbents

• AMETEK (Princeton Applied Research / Solartron Analytical): AMETEK's scientific instruments division includes Princeton Applied Research and Solartron Analytical, which manufacture potentiostats, frequency response analyzers, and electrochemical workstations. Broader incumbent with much larger resources and product breadth.

Emerging players

• Scribner Associates: Scribner Associates is a smaller US-based provider of electrochemical measurement software and hardware, including specialized tools for fuel cell and battery testing. Comparable in electrochemical niche with overlapping battery research customer base.

Regional players

• ALS (BAS) Japan: ALS Japan is a Japanese manufacturer of electrodes and accessories for electrochemistry, already a partner of CH Instruments. Comparable in product category (electrochemical accessories) but regional focus in Japan versus CH Instruments' global distribution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CH_Instruments

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 CH Instruments