Three-minute bacteria test and high-temperature ultrasonic sensors impress the jury

Nuremberg, May 6, 2025 – The AMA Association for Sensor and Measurement Technology has honored two outstanding development teams with the AMA Innovation Award 2025. This year's winners are the development teams at NanoStruct GmbH in Würzburg, a young company with university ties, and the development team at the established Endress+Hauser Flow in Switzerland. Both teams impressed the independent jury of experts from science and industry in equal measure. The prize money of €10,000 will be split between the two winners.

The award ceremony took place on May 6, 2025, at the opening of the SENSOR+TEST trade fair in Nuremberg. This year marked the 25th anniversary of the AMA Innovation Award, an anniversary that impressively reflects the breadth and depth of technological innovations in sensor and measurement technology.

The award-winning projects at a glance:

Three-minute bacteria test with SERS technology

Development team: Dr. Henriette Maaß and Enno Schatz, NanoStruct GmbH, Würzburg

The start-up NanoStruct GmbH, which emerged from the University of Würzburg, developed an innovative rapid test for identifying pathogenic bacteria in food. The technology is based on surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and enables detection within minutes using nanostructured sensors.

The challenge lay in the reproducible production of the nanostructures, which has now been successfully achieved. The technology is about to enter the market – initially in the field of food analysis, with further applications in other safety-critical areas in the future. True to the motto “Faster analysis for a safer life,” the process contributes to greater safety and efficiency in quality control.

Clamp-on ultrasonic sensors for high-temperature flow measurements

Development team: Beat Kissling, Quirin Müller, Roberto Vitali, Andreas Berger, Endress+Hauser Flow, Reinach (Switzerland)

The development team at Endress+Hauser Flow has achieved a technological breakthrough that enables contactless flow measurements at temperatures of up to 550 °C for the first time. The innovative clamp-on ultrasonic sensor can also be used to measure high-temperature liquids such as molten salts with precision, making a significant contribution to industrial applications in the context of the energy transition. The sensors open up new applications, for example in thermal energy storage or in high-temperature processes where no reliable measurement technology was previously available.
 

“I would like to congratulate both winning teams. With this year's double award, we are recognizing two completely different but equally forward-looking developments,” explains Professor Dr. Andreas Schütze, Chairman of the Jury. ”They show how innovative strength arises in both start-ups and established companies and how important this diversity is for technological progress.”

Brochure with all 2025 submissions

All accepted submissions, the winning teams, and the nominated teams will be published with a brief description of the innovation in the brochure “AMA Innovation Award 2025 – The Applicants,” which can be downloaded free of charge online:

https://www.ama-sensorik.de/fileadmin/2025_InnoBroschuere_FINAL.pdf

Applications for the 2026 Innovation Award
 

Application forms for the AMA Innovation Award 2026 will be available at the end of October 2025. Applications can be submitted by individuals or development teams from companies and institutes. Further information is available at: https://www.ama-sensorik.de/wissenschaft/ama-innovationspreis/

Challenges and opportunities for the sensor industry

Berlin, March 27, 2025 – The AMA Association for Sensors and Measurement and the VDI are publishing the groundbreaking study “Sensor Trends 2030”. The 180-page study, prepared by 69 authors from research and industry under the direction of Prof. Dr. Klaus Drese (ISAT Coburg), highlights key developments and challenges in sensor technology. It is clear that technological progress in Asia is increasingly overtaking Europe's innovative strength. This is a development that should make politicians and business leaders sit up and take notice.

Key findings of the study
 

• Increasing accuracy, decreasing measurement uncertainty: The optimization of measurement precision remains a dominant driver of technological developments.

• Exponentially growing need for information: In the information society, the demand for relevant bases for decision-making is increasing instead of pure measurement values.

• From sensors to sensor systems: Integration and functional expansion facilitate implementation and create new application possibilities.

• Miniaturization and cost reduction: Progress is made specifically where it opens economic advantages or new fields of application.

• Sustainability and energy efficiency: There is an increasing focus on lower energy consumption and resource-saving solutions.

• Artificial intelligence and quantum sensors on the advance: AI-supported pattern recognition and self-learning systems are revolutionizing sensor technology. Patent applications in the field of AI double every 1.3 years.

Opportunities for Germany: Strengthening innovative strength

The analysis of international patent applications shows: Asia has dominated since 2014 with the highest growth rates. Particularly strong growth has been recorded in the areas of material properties and radio navigation. Germany has the opportunity to further expand its innovative strength through targeted investments and funding. “Germany has a strong sensor industry and excellent research institutions,” emphasizes Prof. Dr. Klaus Drese. “It is now important to secure and further expand our position through targeted funding programs and close cooperation between science and industry.”

Download now:

The English-language study “Sensor Trends 2030” is available now. It is aimed at industry representatives, researchers and political decision-makers who want to actively shape the future of sensor technology.

Official link to order the study: AMA/VDI Study: https://sensortrends.ama-sensorik.de/en/

Three established and two young companies in the final

 
Berlin, March 25, 2025 – The AMA Association for Sensors and Measurement nominates five outstanding applications for the AMA Innovation Award 2025. Among them, two winners of the special 'Young Enterprise' award have already been determined: NanoStruct GmbH with its three-minute bacteria test based on SERS technology and Pelora GmbH with its highly precise WayveSpot positioning system.
 

Strong competition and innovative strength
This year, 27 research and development teams from Germany and abroad submitted their projects for the renowned AMA Innovation Award. The jury, consisting of experts from science and industry, nominated five teams, including three established companies and two start-ups. The final winners will be announced at the SENSOR+TEST 2025 in May and will receive prize money of 10,000 euros, which the jury can also split.

 
Twelve of the submitted applications came from young companies that have been on the market for no longer than five years, employ fewer than 50 people and generate annual sales of less than ten million euros. Two of these companies particularly impressed the jury:

 
•    NanoStruct GmbH (Würzburg) developed a three-minute bacteria test with SERS (Surface-enhanced Raman Spectroscopy) technology, which uses nanotechnological sensors to identify pathogenic bacteria in food in minutes instead of days.

•    Pelora GmbH (Erlangen): Their WayveSpot system enables highly precise location of Bluetooth devices by evaluating Bluetooth advertising packets from standard 4.0 and achieving a localization accuracy in the centimetre to lower decimetre range with a patented algorithm.
 

These two teams will receive a free trade fair appearance at SENSOR+TEST 2025 in Nuremberg as a special prize for young companies and will remain in the running for the AMA Innovation Award 2025.
 
 
The five nominees for the AMA Innovation Award 2025
(in alphabetical order):

 
Clamp-on ultrasonic transducers for high-temperature flow measurement
Endress+Hauser Flow, Reinach/Switzerland – team spokesperson: Beat Kissling
Development of non-invasive ultrasonic sensors for measuring the volume flow of liquid media in pipelines with temperatures of up to +550°C.

 
Three-minute bacteria test with SERS
NanoStruct GmbH, Würzburg – team spokesperson: Dr. Henriette Maaß
Revolutionizing food analysis by identifying pathogenic bacteria in minutes using sensors based on nanotechnology.

 
WayveSpot
Pelora GmbH, Erlangen – team spokesperson: Dr. Erik Sippel
Highly precise location of any Bluetooth device with an accuracy in the centimeter to lower decimeter range using a new type of hardware and patented algorithms.

 
Industrial acceleration sensor with edge AI processing
STMicroelectronics, Cornaredo/Italy – team spokesperson: Carlo Larghi
Digital acceleration sensor with embedded machine learning core for motion pattern classification for industrial IoT applications.

 
New temperature sensors for wide-band-gap power electronics
Yageo Nexensos GmbH, Kleinostheim – team spokesperson: Stefan Dietmann
High-performance temperature sensors with intrinsic isolation and improved response time for SiC power electronic modules.

 
Jury chairman emphasizes the high quality of the submissions

“This year's submissions presented us with a difficult decision. The range and depth of the innovations was impressive, and there were numerous exciting solutions that would have been worthy of an award,” says Professor Andreas Schütze, jury chairman from Saarland University. ”The five nominees exemplify the innovative strength of the industry, and you can read about many more exciting projects in the brochure with all the applications.”

 
Awards ceremony at the SENSOR+TEST 2025

The winners of the AMA Innovation Award 2025 will be announced on 6 May 2025 during the opening event of the SENSOR+TEST 2025 in Nuremberg.
 
Further information and an overview of all applications can be found at: www.ama-sensorik.de/fileadmin/2025_AMA_Innovationspreis_Broschuer

AMA Association Reports Industry Development in 2024 and Outlook for 2025

Berlin, March 24, 2025 – At the beginning of the year, the AMA Association for Sensors and Measurement surveyed its members on the economic development 

in 2024. The survey results provide insights into the current market situation and industry expectations for the year ahead.

Revenue Decline at Year-End, Optimistic Outlook

The sensor and measurement technology industry recorded a four percent revenue decline in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the previous quarter (Q3 2024). The year-on-year decline was even more pronounced at eight percent compared to Q4 2023. However, order intake remained stable at the previous quarter’s level. Despite these recent losses, companies remain cautiously optimistic for 2025, expecting revenue growth of three percent.

Export Rate Rises to 56 Percent

The industry's export rate increased by eight percentage points in 2024, reaching a total of 56 percent. While exports to Central European countries saw a slight decline (23 percentage points), international sales markets showed mixed developments.

Investments Remain Stable, Moderate Growth Expected

AMA members maintained their investment levels in 2024, consistent with the previous year. For 2025, they plan a moderate increase of two percent, focusing on future technologies and long-term competitiveness.

Challenges and Opportunities

The industry continues to face challenges such as geopolitical uncertainties and fluctuations in global demand. Nevertheless, many companies are relying on innovation and strategic investments to secure their market position.

"The sensor and measurement technology industry remains confident despite economic fluctuations," says Thomas Simmons, Managing Director of the AMA Association. "While the current revenue declines pose challenges, we continue to see growth potential through technological innovations and stable export development. Our members are making targeted investments in the future to remain competitive in the long run."

Berlin, February 12, 2025 – The AMA Association for Sensors and Measurement started the new year with a change in management. Since January 1, 2025, Philipp Gutmann has been leading the association as its new managing director, succeeding Thomas Simmons, who shaped the AMA Association for over 17 years. During a transition period, he will support Philipp Gutmann in an advisory capacity to ensure the continuity of the association's activities before he retires.

Philipp Gutmann has extensive experience in the fields of marketing and communications. In recent years, he has primarily supported medium-sized companies and worked in various industries, including automotive, electronics and healthcare. He has worked for companies such as Mercedes-Benz, Siemens, Infineon, Airbus Defence & Space, MAN and Pfeiffer Vacuum. In doing so, he gained extensive insights into the challenges and opportunities of the industry and specialized in strategic communication concepts, brand management and technology transfer. He also has experience in working with start-ups and in promoting innovation projects. Through his many years of working with small and medium-sized companies, he has a deep understanding of their requirements and developments.

“For over 40 years, the AMA Association has been promoting the exchange between industry, science and politics in the field of sensor and measuring technology. I look forward to continuing this work together with our members and setting impulses for the future of this key technology,” says Philipp Gutmann.

AMA Association reports industry figures for the 3rd quarter of 2024

The sensor and measuring technology industry recorded no change in sales in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the previous quarter. However, compared to the third quarter of 2023, sales fell by ten percent. Incoming orders fell slightly and were two percent below the level of the previous quarter.

Berlin, January 27, 2025 – The AMA Association for Sensors and Measurement (AMA) has published the results of its quarterly survey of the approximately 450 member companies. In the third quarter of 2024, the industry was unable to generate any growth in sales compared to the second quarter. Compared to the same quarter of the previous year, the industry recorded a decline in sales of ten percent.

Incoming orders declined slightly, falling by two percent compared to the previous quarter. The book-to-bill ratio of 1.0 indicates that the economic situation has stabilized at a low level. This ratio between incoming orders and sales shows that the industry was able to balance demand despite economic challenges.

“The results of the third quarter of 2024 reflect the tense economic situation in some of our customer industries,” comments Thomas Simmons, managing director of the AMA Association, on the figures. “The stagnating sales and the slightly declining incoming orders show that the industry is holding firm under the difficult conditions. The stable book-to-bill ratio indicates that sensor and measurement technology continues to be a reliable partner for the user industries, even though they are currently struggling with uncertainties.”

The members of the AMA Association look ahead to the coming quarter with cautious optimism. In the preview of 2023 for 2024, the industry still hoped that the economic situation would improve again by the end of 2024, as the inventories built up during the pandemic would have been significantly reduced again. The figures now show in the analysis that we are dealing with a lasting weakness in sales.

“Despite the declines compared to the previous year, there are positive signals that show that the industry's innovative strength continues to be appreciated,” explains Simmons. “Our focus on efficiency, precision and sustainability strengthens our position as a key industry in the long term. Trends such as artificial intelligence, automation and new technologies in areas such as alternative energy sources will further increase demand for innovative sensor technology. However, with an export share of around 48%, the sensor and measuring technology industry remains dependent on stable economic and political conditions.”

The industry is cautious in the face of economic uncertainties but remains optimistic that momentum will return in the medium term.