Sorex Sensors

Sorex Sensors, a spin-out from the University of Cambridge founded in 2017, operates within the advanced manufacturing and electronic instruments sector, focusing on sensor technology. The company was co-founded by a team with deep academic and research credentials, including Professor Andrew Flewitt, Dr. Mario de Miguel Ramos, and Dr. Marina Cole, among others from the University of Warwick and Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. Dr. de Miguel Ramos, who now serves as CEO, has a decade of experience in the field and holds a Ph.D. in Electronic Engineering Systems. Professor Flewitt, the Chief Scientific Officer, is the head of electrical engineering at the University of Cambridge and brings over 20 years of expertise in electronics.

The core of Sorex Sensors' business is the development and manufacturing of micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) based on film bulk acoustic resonator (FBAR) technology. These sensors are designed to detect and measure harmful compounds and minute particles in the air, with a primary focus on the indoor air quality (IAQ) monitoring market. The technology's main selling point is its extreme sensitivity, capable of measuring mass down to the femtogram range—equivalent to the weight of a single virus. Additionally, the sensors offer the dual capability of measuring both mass and temperature simultaneously. They are distinguished by their small size, low power consumption in the microwatt range, and can be manufactured cost-effectively on silicon wafers using standard processes.

Sorex Sensors generates revenue by selling these high-sensitivity sensors and accompanying development kits to manufacturers. Its target clients are in industries that require precise monitoring, such as indoor air quality systems, and specialized industrial applications like monitoring deposition rates in semiconductor manufacturing. The company has secured approximately $2.77 million in funding through various rounds, including investments from Cambridge Enterprise, Cambridge Angels, and Syndicate Room, to support technology development and production scaling. The first product, a particulate sensor with a development kit, was launched in 2019, marking a key milestone.

Keywords: FBAR sensors, mass sensors, indoor air quality, particulate monitoring, MEMS, semiconductor manufacturing, air pollution, cleantech, gas detection, environmental sensing