We develop, produce and license advanced technologies based on our intellectual property with an extensive network of highly qualified partners.
Birchrun Labs Introduces a Breakthrough New Rugged, High-Temperature Piezoelectric Ceramic Material
Birchrun Labs’ new piezoelectric material, developed for, and in use by a Fortune 200 manufacturer, has the highest in class displacement, and temperature tolerance. This enables exceptional performance, especially when configured as a stack actuator. Described by customers as “rugged, and robust” it provides larger displacements, higher operating frequencies, longer duty cycles and greater forces than competing materials.
This is all enabled by the material’s high curie temperature, the known limiting factor for all piezoelectric materials. The closest competing materials operate continuously at 150°C. Birchrun Labs material operates continuously at 235°C and can be driven up 360°C. For this reason, Birchrun Labs piezoelectric actuators can be run harder, faster, and longer than those produced by the competition.
It is currently being used on in machining operations, at high frequencies for on a variety of different product lines.
Precision Sensors
With our proprietary materials and expert piezoelectric manufacturing partner, we have developed an advanced, lightweight, single axis accelerometer capable of providing extremely accurate measurements of vibrations and acceleration in everything from particle colliders and rail guns, to helicopters and satellites, to research laboratories.
When configured in a three axis configuration our material offers significant potential improvement for Inertial Navigation Systems for drones and guided munitions. These types of devices are critical for solving the problem of guiding small vehicles and weapons in GPS denied environments.
We are able to work with a variety of different materials and can create virtually any shape or size device to meet a variety of sensing needs including transducers, accelerometers and fusing mechanisms. We are able to produce high quality products in large volumes. If you seek something in this realm that is not shown on these pages, please contact us to discuss your needs.
Self-Powered Accelerometer/Vibration Sensor
REMOVES UNCERTAINTY FROM LOW LEVEL MEASUREMENTS
Measures acceleration and senses vibration in all types of vehicles, airframes and other structures
Emits a stronger signal than competing accelerometers, giving more precise measurements
Requires zero signal amplification, can be operated without auxiliary power
Senses a broad range of frequencies, up to 100 kHz, ideal for early detection of bearing failures
Self-powered, so it can be used on small devices/vehicles with little to no power available
Compact and lightweight, can sense vibrations on small and lightweight structures with minimal damping effects
Extremely durable, can withstand enormous forces
Precision High Pressure Pump/Valve
Birchrun Labs latest development project, a high pressure pump the provides instant maximum pressure. One elegant design achieves what used to require a combination of high pressure pumps, EM motors, accumulators and control valves. It functions as a combination pump/valve and is the cornerstone technology behind a number of other development projects. It is powered by the same high temperature piezoelectric actuator used everyday by our customers.
Patent Pending 2025/0347272 A1
AirGRO System
AirGRO is an aeroponic misting system designed to grow plants bigger, faster and with less water and energy, by promoting root system development.
Plants absorb water, nutrients and oxygen through the tiny follicles on their roots. The more follicles, the more surface area, the more can be absorbed. Today’s indoor hydroponic systems are effective but limited, the process of repeatedly drenching the roots with flowing water still hampers follicle development. Misting roots allows the follicles to grow more robustly, increasing surface area and helping plants absorb more energy, accelerating growth.
Current aeroponic systems, which represent 15% of indoor growing systems, require complex pump, accumulator, high-pressure plumbing and complicated controls, complicating installation, making them expensive to install and operate, and difficult to scale.
We are developing a system for misting plant roots using a low-pressure plumbing system easing implementation and operation, and allowing the indoor agriculture industry to take another step forward in indoor farming.
INCREASE YIELD BY DOUBLE DIGIT PERCENTAGES WITHOUT INCREASING OPERATING COSTS, WHILE SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCING WATER AND POWER CONSUMPTION
Small Submersible Ballast System
The underwater vehicle industry is in a period of monumental growth being fed by demand from defense industry as well as research and exploratory organizations. There has never been greater need to understand what is occurring in our oceans, and Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) of all kinds are being developed to find out.
There is one area where all of these vehicles of all sizes suffer, managing depth. Manned submarines, many of which are provided with unlimited nuclear power, have powerful ballast systems and controls to maintain precise depths. However with limited power and space, there are few, if any good options ballast systems for UUVs.
We are developing a compact ballast system for unmanned underwater vehicles that addresses this problem - a unique alternative to the bulky, complex, power hungry systems available today.
Patent Pending 2025/0346332 A1
Medical Device Applications
Projects Under Development Include:
A pump able to operate within the barrel of an MRI to improve contrast medium delivery
A next generation micro-metering pump for external and subcutaneous applications
A piezoelectric micro-valve for laboratory applications
