Senova Systems

Senova Systems, Inc. was a developer of solid-state pH sensors, founded in 2007 and based in Sunnyvale, California. The company operated in the electronic equipment and instruments industry, focusing on creating a new generation of sensor systems. This was achieved by combining patented chemistry, advanced materials, and proprietary microelectronics. The firm's core product was the pHit™ sensor platform, a technology that replaced conventional glass electrodes with solid-state, smart sensors. A key feature of these sensors was that they were glass-free and did not require user calibration, offering operational and economic benefits across various sectors.

The technology was inspired by research from Professor Richard Compton at the University of Oxford's Department of Chemistry, which Oxford University Innovation licensed to Senova. The company targeted a wide range of markets, including life sciences, food and beverage, medical diagnostics, dairy, petrochemical, water, environmental testing, and agriculture. In 2013, Senova Systems launched the pHit Scanner, marketed as the world's first calibration-free pH meter. This handheld device was designed to be virtually maintenance-free, could be stored dry, and reduced signal drift for more reliable measurements. Data from the scanner could be transmitted via USB or Bluetooth to the company's proprietary software. The company garnered significant interest for its pHit™ platform for single-use applications in the bioprocessing market.

Senova Systems was a privately held, venture-capital-backed company. It raised a total of $15.2M in funding from investors, including a seed round of $3.14M in January 2010. Key institutional investors included Phoenix Venture Partners and 180 Degree Capital (formerly Harris & Harris Group). The company received accolades for its product, including the 2012 Frost & Sullivan North American New Product Innovation Award for pH Sensors and a Gold Award for Best New Product at Pittcon in 2013. On October 19, 2016, Senova Systems was acquired by Parker-Hannifin, a motion and control technologies company.

Keywords: solid-state pH sensors, calibration-free pH meter, pH measurement, electronic sensors, pHit sensor platform, advanced materials, microelectronics, life sciences sensors, food and beverage testing, water quality monitoring, environmental sensors, Parker-Hannifin acquisition, Phoenix Venture Partners, 180 Degree Capital, single-use sensors, bioprocessing sensors, chemical sensors, medical diagnostics, laboratory equipment, sensor technology