What QCM Research does

QCM Research is a privately-held, family-owned designer and manufacturer of Quartz Crystal Microbalances (QCMs) headquartered in Murrieta, California. Founded in 1985 by Don and Marie Wallace after acquiring the QCM product line originally developed at Celesco (1966), the company specializes in piezoelectric mass sensors that detect molecular contamination in vacuum environments via the linear mass-to-frequency relationship of oscillating quartz crystals. Its instruments serve aerospace and high-technology laboratory customers, including NASA, ESA, CSA, JAXA, Boeing, JPL, TRW, and Dornier, with documented flight heritage dating back to the Skylab program (1971).

The product portfolio spans three sensor families — Thermoelectric QCMs (TQCMs: MK10, MK20, MK24, MK26) using Peltier heat exchangers for active temperature control, Cryogenic QCMs (CQCMs: MK16, MK17, MK18, MK19) operating down to 10K, and Passive QCMs (MK21) — supported by the Model 2000 laboratory controller, the Model 3000 flight-qualified controller, the WattRod passive heat-sink, and the VODKA turn-key vacuum outgassing apparatus conforming with ASTM E-1559-93. Differentiated technology includes proprietary hybrid chip circuitry in TO-5 form factor (operating as low as 5K at 2.45 mW) and an Extended Range line using 25 MHz crystals delivering 4.84x higher mass sensitivity than prior 15 MHz designs.

The business model is custom hardware sales on a build-to-order basis, distributed through a network of seven international representatives (UK, France, Germany, Spain, Japan, Korea, India) plus direct sales. Products are sold either as standard catalog items or fully customized and flight-qualified to customer specifications. Revenue is undisclosed; the company has 11-50 employees, no institutional investors, and is currently led by Scott Wallace, Don Wallace's son, representing second-generation family ownership.

Name

QCM Research

Legal name

QCM Research

Website

https://qcmresearch.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

QCM Research is a family-owned US manufacturer of Quartz Crystal Microbalances for molecular contamination detection in vacuum. It serves aerospace agencies (NASA, ESA, CSA, JAXA) and research laboratories with custom-built TQCMs, CQCMs, controllers, and ASTM-conformant outgassing apparatus.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Scientific Instrumentation (Quartz Crystal Microbalance Sensors)

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)

akta.pro primary industry

Metrology, Calibration & Testing Equipment (Balances, pH/DO, Standards) (HLAGAIAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Metrology & Dimensional Measurement (CMMs, laser trackers, gauges, surface/roughness) (IMAGAFAD), Industrial-Grade Sensors & Transducer Components (Discrete sensing elements, transducers, MEMS sensors) (IMAGAJAO)

Keywords

• Quartz crystal microbalances
• Contamination detection sensors
• Aerospace instrumentation
• Vacuum outgassing analysis
• Mass measurement instruments

Headquarters

HQ city

Lake Forest

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. QCM Sensor and Instrument Sales: QCM Research designs and manufactures Quartz Crystal Microbalance sensors and associated controllers. Products include TQCMs (MK10, MK20, MK24, MK26), CQCMs (MK16, MK17, MK18, MK19), Passive QCMs (MK21), Controllers (Model 2000 for lab, Model 3000 for flight), the WattRod heat-sink, and the VODKA turn-key apparatus. Instruments are sold as standard products and customized to specific customer requirements. All QCMs can be flight qualified with environmental testing completed to customer specifications.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

QCM Research designs and manufactures Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) sensors — thermoelectric (TQCM), cryogenic (CQCM), and passive variants — together with control/data acquisition units, the VODKA turn-key ASTM E-1559 outgassing apparatus, and supporting accessories for laboratory and space-flight contamination monitoring. Instruments are custom-built to specification, flight-qualifiable, and sold direct or through seven international representatives to aerospace agencies, satellite manufacturers, and high-technology laboratories.

Product overview

QCM Research specializes in the design and manufacture of Quartz Crystal Microbalances (QCMs) for contamination and outgassing detection. The product portfolio includes three main categories: Thermoelectric QCMs (TQCMs) with Peltier heating/cooling for active temperature control (Mark 10, 20, 24, 26); Cryogenic QCMs (CQCMs) for cryogenic temperature operation (Mark 16, 17, 18, 19); and Passive QCMs without temperature control (Mark 21). Supporting hardware includes the Model 2000 laboratory controller and Model 3000 flight controller, both interfacing sensors to host computers. The VODKA (Vacuum Outgassing/Deposition Kinetics Apparatus) is a complete turn-key testing system combining QCM sensors with an effusion cell for materials outgassing analysis per ASTM standards. The WattRod heat pipe accessory provides passive thermal management for TQCMs. The company has developed Extended Range QCM technology using higher-frequency crystals (up to 25MHz) for enhanced mass sensitivity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mark 26 TQCM Thermoelectrically-controlled Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Peltier heat exchanger for heating and cooling crystals, offered in four configurations (MK26-1 Standard, MK26-2 Sub-Micron, MK26-3 Low Power, MK26-4 Extended Frequency/Temperature Range) operating from -80°C to +80°C; targets aerospace contamination and outgassing monitoring.
• Mark 24 TQCM Miniaturized Thermoelectric Quartz Crystal Microbalance with single-stage Peltier heating/cooling element, weighing under 4.5 grams and using 1.54 W peak power; uses up to 25 MHz crystals for extended mass sensitivity.
• Mark 20 TQCM Thermoelectric Quartz Crystal Microbalance with proven flight history, available in three configurations (MK20-1 Standard at 6.35W, MK20-2 Sub-Micron down to 0.02 monolayer/Hz, MK20-3 Low Power at 3.3W); used in space-flight and laboratory contamination programs.
• Mark 10 TQCM Thermoelectric Quartz Crystal Microbalance with temperature range 80K to 373K using a Peltier element for both heating and cooling crystals; one of the earliest TQCM models developed by the company.
• Mark 19 CQCM Cryogenic Quartz Crystal Microbalance designed for applications where crystal temperature control is not desirable; detects gases/contaminants below liquid nitrogen temperatures to 10K / -262°C, available in Standard Temperature (-199 to 100°C) and Low Temperature (10 to 400K) versions.
• Mark 18 CQCM Cryogenic Quartz Crystal Microbalance with ability to detect gases/contaminants below liquid nitrogen temperatures, available in Standard Temperature (-199 to 100°C) and Low Temperature (10 to 400K) variants; deployed in the VODKA apparatus.
• Mark 17 CQCM Cryogenic Quartz Crystal Microbalance offering a variety of mounting flange, cable, and modification options; supplied in customized form for missions including Ariane/STENTOR.
• Mark 16 CQCM Cryogenic Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Silicon Diode temperature sensor and 2.5W wire wound heater; the first CQCM developed, featuring a cryogenic low-temperature chip in TO-5 size; deployed on the CSA Remote Manipulator System.
• Mark 21 QCM (Passive) Passive Quartz Crystal Microbalance without onboard heating or cooling; weighs only 4.0 grams at 0.402 inches in length for size/weight-limited applications such as recording contamination accumulation over the life of flight optics or orbiting solar panels.
• Model 2000 Control/Data Acquisition Unit Lab controller interfacing up to twelve QCM mass sensors to a general-purpose host computer over RS-232, accommodating Si-diode and PRT temperature sensors, driving wire-wound heaters, PRT heaters, and single/dual thermoelectric elements, with sub-1 ppm frequency accuracy and 0.01K temperature resolution.
• Model 3000 Flight Controller Flight-qualified controller for QCM mass sensors with RS-232 or RS-422 communication, temperature range -128°C to +128°C at 0.0625°C resolution, modular design powering 2–8 QCMs with up to 75 ft cable drive, and integrated system housekeeping for flight operations.
• VODKA (Vacuum Outgassing/Deposition Kinetics Apparatus) Turn-key high-vacuum apparatus conforming to ASTM E-1559-93, integrating three or four MK18 CQCMs, an effusion cell for heating materials, optional 1–1000 AMU mass spectrometer, and Krypton UV lamps; operates in the 2×10^-11 Torr range to measure TML, CVCM, and perform QTGA analysis of outgassing products for spacecraft materials.
• WattRod Heat Pipe Passive heat-sink accessory for the TQCM line using heat-pipe technology with sealed construction to prevent chamber contamination, operating from -50°C to +180°C and available with Kwik-Flange or Del-Seal vacuum flanges.

Quantifiable outcome

• Sensitivity down to 0.04 ang/Hz with 25 MHz crystals (vs. 0.20 ang/Hz with 15 MHz), a 4.84x improvement
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Telonic Instruments Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational representative for England. Based at Toutley Industrial Estate, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG41 1QN, U.K. Contact: Mr. Robert Lovell. Handles sales and support for QCM Research products in the U.K. market.
• Équipements ScientifiquescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational representative for France. Located at 127 Rue de Buzenval, B.P. No. 26, 92380 Garches, France. Contact: Mr. Victor Bitan.
• TGS Telonic GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational representative for Germany. Based at Albin-Köbis-Str. 2, 51147 Köln, Germany. Contact: Mr. Kunibert Schrahe.
• Azbil Telstar Technologies, S.L.U.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational representative for Spain. Located at Avda. Font i Sagué 55, Parc Cientific i Tecnològic Orbital 40, 08227 Terrassa, Spain. Contact: Mr. Jose Garriga.
• HKS Japan Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational representative for Japan. Located at Promity Fuchinobe Bldg., 1-9-15 Kanumadai, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0233, Japan. Contact: Mr. Bill Umehara.
• Samho Syscom EnterprisecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational representative for Korea. Based at 101-1512 Digital Empire 2, 88 Sinwon-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-city, Gyeonggi-do, Korea 16681. Contact: Mr. M.C. Kang.
• Elecsys, LLCcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational representative for India. Located at 145 Vallecitos de Oro, Suite B, San Marcos, CA 92069, USA. Contact: Ms. Lori Going. Serves Indian customers directly.
• Sunag Corporation USAcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational representative for India. Located at #170 Changebridge Road, Unit A6, Montville, New Jersey 07045. Contact for India representation.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Pfeiffer Vacuum: Pfeiffer Vacuum is a leading manufacturer of vacuum pumps, leak detectors, and vacuum measurement equipment. While not a QCM maker, Pfeiffer serves the same high-vacuum laboratory and industrial customers as QCM Research and supplies complementary equipment for vacuum processes where QCMs are deployed.
• Extrel CMS (part of Process Insights): Extrel manufactures quadrupole mass spectrometers that are optionally integrated with QCM Research's VODKA apparatus for residual gas analysis. Adjacent ecosystem participant rather than direct competitor, but represents an alternative technology path for contamination monitoring that could compete in some use cases.

Direct peers

• Biolin Scientific (Q-Sense, now part of Bruker): Q-Sense (Biolin Scientific) is a leading QCM with dissipation (QCM-D) manufacturer acquired by Bruker. Directly comparable to QCM Research in piezoelectric mass-sensing instrumentation, with stronger focus on biomolecular interaction analysis at the research end of the market.
• Novetech (NTI): NTI S.r.l. is an Italian manufacturer of QCM and SAW sensors and instruments for vacuum deposition monitoring and process control. Direct peer offering comparable quartz crystal microbalance hardware to industrial thin-film and vacuum process customers.
• INFICON: INFICON is the largest commercial manufacturer of QCM sensors and vacuum measurement instruments, including the legacy Maxtek QCM product line. Directly competes with QCM Research in laboratory and industrial QCM markets, serving semiconductor, vacuum coating, and research customers with overlapping offerings.
• Stanford Research Systems: Stanford Research Systems manufactures the QCM200 and related quartz crystal microbalance systems primarily for academic and industrial research laboratories. Direct peer in QCM instrumentation with comparable scientific/research customer base and similar benchtop instrument form factor.

Broad incumbents

• MKS Instruments: MKS Instruments is a large incumbent in vacuum, pressure, and process measurement instrumentation serving semiconductor and industrial markets. While not exclusively a QCM maker, MKS competes broadly in the measurement instrumentation space where QCM Research operates, and could expand into QCM-based monitoring.
• Bruker Corporation: Bruker is a global analytical instruments company that acquired Q-Sense and has broad mass spectrometry and materials analysis offerings. A broad incumbent that owns a direct QCM competitor (Q-Sense) and could leverage scale advantages against QCM Research in research and industrial markets.
• AMETEK: AMETEK is a diversified electronic instruments and electromechanical devices manufacturer that acquired the former Maxtek QCM product line through its acquisition of Inficon-comparable assets. Broad incumbent with deep capital that competes in the same contamination/vacuum monitoring space as QCM Research.

Emerging players

• AWSensors: AWSensors is a Spanish university spin-off producing high-frequency QCM and advanced sensor platforms for biosensing and materials research. Emerging player with partial overlap to QCM Research's mass-sensing technology but focused on biosensor and academic applications rather than aerospace flight-qualified instruments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 QCM Research