4K-MEMS SA, founded in 2020, is at the forefront of developing state-of-the-art broadband near infrared (NIR) light sources for embedded sensing applications. As a fabless entity, our core competencies lie in the innovative design and rigorous testing of our products, while manufacturing is expertly handled by our partners. Our cutting-edge SWIR emitters are crafted based on a patented architecture that employs novel materials and advanced microfabrication techniques, setting new standards for size, brightness, and response time.
Our technology promises to revolutionize the field by offering scalable manufacturing methods that not only facilitate deep integration with modern micro-technologies but also significantly reduce the cost per unit. This breakthrough enables the widespread incorporation of chemical sensing technology into consumer products, ranging from personalized wellness devices to smart appliances, enhancing both performance and safety.
At 4K-MEMS, we are driven by the vision of making infrared-based sensing ubiquitous, providing industries and consumers alike with the ability to obtain accurate, firsthand information about the materials they use daily. Our compact, cost-effective emitters are designed to be universally applicable, paving the way for a future where high-quality broadband infrared sensing is a standard feature in a wide array of products.
Project Coordinator
Matthias Imboden
Matthias Imboden is a physicist and entrepreneur focused on bringing advanced microtechnology into practical applications. He is the Founder and CEO of 4K-MEMS SA, where he leads the development of broadband infrared light engines for embedded spectroscopy and sensing applications.
Since founding 4K-MEMS in 2020, Matthias has guided the company from core emitter technology toward integrated solutions for compact, cost-effective infrared sensing. His work combines technical expertise with a product-oriented perspective, with the aim of enabling IR spectroscopy to be integrated into consumer, industrial, and medical devices.
Before launching 4K-MEMS, Matthias worked as a Project Manager at Swatch Group SA, where he contributed to the development of new technologies for wearables, including actuators, sensors, and energy management systems. This experience gave him insight into the challenges of translating advanced hardware concepts into product-relevant technologies.
Matthias holds a Ph.D. in Physics from Boston University and has worked across microfabrication, MEMS, optics, sensing, and advanced materials. His earlier research included nanoelectromechanical systems, optical beam steering, thermal MEMS, dynamic micro-electrode arrays, and novel fabrication methods.
Across his career, Matthias has combined scientific depth with practical technology development. He has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and is named on more than 30 patents, reflecting a strong track record in research, applied innovation, and intellectual property creation.
Alexandre Haemmerli
Alexandre Hämmerli is a MEMS expert and the Lead of Industrialisation and Quality at 4k-mems (since 2024), where his primary focus is scaling the company's innovative technology to robust industrial production levels. After his studies in micro and nanotechnologies at the University of Neuchâtel, he joined Beth Pruitt's laboratory at Stanford University and developed self-sensing piezoresistive cantilevers for scanning probe microscopy (SPM) instruments used in 2D materials research.
Transitioning from academia to high-volume manufacturing, Alexandre built a strong industrial foundation within the Swatch Group. He began in the Swatch Group Research and Development division (ASULAB), engineering new oscillators, optimizing existing designs, and developing new micro-actuator systems for watches. He then advanced to Nivarox-FAR SA, a Swatch Group industrial manufacturing subsidiary, where he specialized in process management, quality control, and the continuous improvement of micro-manufactured watch components.
Paul Wilkinson
Paul Wilkinson - Paul Wilkinson is an innovator, strategist, and technologist with a Ph.D. in physical chemistry and a passion for entrepreneurial endeavors. He is the VP of Infrared Technology at 4K-MEMS, where he leads the translation of 4K-MEMS innovative optical sources to optical systems for embedded spectroscopy and sensing applications.
Before joining 4K-MEMS in 2026, Paul was the VP of Technology at Matrix Sensors, Inc., where he lead the development of that organization’s core sensing technology and architected the organization’s custom test infrastructure. He has additional experience in optical metrology both at Physical Optics Corporation and as a NRC Postdoctoral Fellow at NIST.
Paul holds a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and has experience in optical metrology, dynamic MEMS, sensing, materials development, instrumentation development, high-throughput testing, and industrial adsorption processes.
Paul has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, and is inventor or co-inventor on 10 patents in optical metrology, sensing, and biomedical devices. He is passionate about achieving impact on the world through innovation and execution.
Yannis Laaroussi
Originally from Neuchâtel, he has always been passionate about technology and problem-solving. After completing high school, he pursued a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Mathematics at the University of Fribourg. He then went on to earn a Master's degree in Computer Science from EPFL, specializing in AI and Data Analytics. Following the successful completion of his Master's thesis in collaboration with 4K-MEMS, he transitioned directly into a full-time role with the company, where he currently works as a Data Scientist.