In a world increasingly reliant on precision and speed, the heartbeat of modern electronics and communication systems lies in their timing devices.
The TimeZero project, part of Applied Materials Finland (Picosun) Leading Company (Veturi) program, Chip Zero, is set to redefine the future of timing technology by pushing the boundaries of MEMS (Micro-Electromechanical Systems) performance and innovation.
The global timing market—currently dominated by quartz resonator-based devices—is a multi-billion-dollar industry. SiTime Corp is the world leading precision timing company based on MEMS technology. These components are essential for everything from synchronizing communication networks and powering real-time processors to enabling radar systems and providing frequency references for radios. As demands for efficiency, speed, and performance grow, so does the need for next-generation timing solutions.
Pioneering the next era of MEMS timing
TimeZero is focused on elevating MEMS timing technology by developing new materials, innovative manufacturing techniques, and novel timing resonator designs. This results in improved timing devices with reduced power consumption and better stability over time and temperature as well as in higher performance sensing and communication applications.
“With TimeZero, we're not just improving timing technology—we're laying the foundation for a new generation of systems where precision, efficiency, and scalability are paramount,” says Tuomas Pensala, Principal Scientist at VTT. “This project is a leap forward not only for Finland's tech ecosystem, but for global innovation.”
The project will have a positive impact on new and growing business opportunities for timing devices and advances systems based on high performance timing from Finland to the global markets. This can have an effect on a wide range of sectors, including defense and electronic warfare systems, high-precision sensing, positioning, and metrology, next-generation communication infrastructure and consumer electronics.
At the core of TimeZero’s mission is the goal to achieve part-per-trillion stability in miniature and low-power MEMS timing devices. The program also aims to demonstrate the real-world benefits of these technologies in sensor networks and positioning systems.
The project is driven by VTT. Other research organisations contributing to the project are Aalto University and Turku University. Partner companies are Applied Materials, Koherent, Okmetic, Saab Finland and SiTime Finland.