AirMems
High Performance in a Small Package

In today’s design environment, where size is a non-negotiable parameter, using compact electronic components is critical to reduce the general size of the equipment and increase product versatility and adoption rates among clients. Relay switches, for example, deliver high performance, but their impractical bulk and cost impede widespread usage in circuits. The alternative—solid-state relays (SSRs)—are cheaper and more compact but are less efficient than traditional relays. Additionally, a shared disadvantage between the two is their uneconomical power consumption.

So what roles does AirMems play in this story?

AirMems’ electronic switching solutions shrink circuit sizes, reduce power consumption, and drastically improve the performance of circuits they are integrated into. Resulting from over a decade of R&D working closely with the defence and space sectors, AirMems—a rapidly growing French startup—has created the proprietary micro-relay technology based on MEMS (MicroElectro Mechanical Systems).

The micro-relay aggregates the advantages of mechanical relays and solid-state technology while negating their shortcomings. For instance, AirMems’ micro-relay technology exhibits negligible power consumption due to its electrostatic actuation. It uses less than 100 µW while moving and less than 0.5 µW when static, which improves mechanical relays by a scale of over 1000 fold. An added benefit of low power consumption is the drastic improvement of battery life in portable devices.

Moreover, the size and efficiency of the micro-relay allow it to be used in devices within harsh environments. The robust micro-relay displays its remarkable reliability by being highly resistant to changes in temperature and vibrations. AirMems has also developed a hermetic wafer-level package making the micro relays membrane impervious to humidity.

The technology’s miniature size and minimal power consumption lend clients a level of customizability seldom seen among run of-the-mill relay switch providers. The AirMems team also works with clients from all industries and helps them create tailored monolithic circuits based on micro-relay technology. A testament to the micro-relay’s flexibility and functionalities lies in its application within the Athena Fidus satellite onboard Ariana V.

During this project supported by the French Space Agency (CNES), AirMems switches first passed several test protocols on the ground before being integrated into a specific electronic module designed by Thales Alenia Space. After the launch, the first long-distance testing proved that the switches were highly resistant to vibrations and shocks. “Our switches help make appliances far more compact and lighter within a satellite, and added to their inexpensive fabrication process, save clients millions of euros,” adds Romain Stefanini, CEO of AirMems. The datas collected by long distance communications between the satellite and Earth over the past six years demonstrated the technology capability to perform impeccably even in a hostile environment.

AirMems aims to widen its patented portfolio of solutions to include applications in various industries, currently catering to the defence and space industries. Additionally, the company is set on its mission to help manufacturers reduce their carbon footprints and minimize impacts on the environment. The game-changing micro-relay tech not only aids in drastically reducing device manufacturing costs, but its low power consumption translates into efficient, eco-friendly energy usage.

With a team spurred by the spirit of innovation and creativity and equipped with in-depth knowledge in MEMS fabrication, AirMems is poised to revamp the 13 billion euro MEMS industry and venture into larger markets overseas with its small-sized, high performing, and resilient micro-relay solutions.