# openQCM Devices > Source page: https://openqcm.com/openqcm-devices > Markdown version for AI agents and readers of plain text. Site guide: https://openqcm.com/llms.txt · Everything in one file: https://openqcm.com/llms-full.txt ## The openQCM instrument family. Six Quartz Crystal Microbalances built on the same open architecture, scaled to the question being asked — from compact frequency monitoring and multi-overtone QCM-D with active thermal control, to ultra-compact embedded modules, differential OEM boards and vacuum-ready sensor holders. Compare specs ↓Run the calculator ![The openQCM instrument family — Wi2, Q-1, NEXT, SpaceBug, TWIN and the sensor Holder](https://openqcm.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/openQCM_family_hero_3-2.png) 01 / Benchtop ### From the bench. The lab instruments — frequency monitoring, QCM-D, and multi-overtone with thermal control. Pick by the measurement, not the price. Starter 01 / Starter #### openQCM Wi2 Compact. Research-grade frequency monitoring. The starter QCM device. Plug a crystal in, connect over USB, monitor Δf in real time. Expandable with a wireless module. - Modes Frequency - Connectivity USB · wireless-ready - Channels 1 - Form Compact [Open the Wi2 page →](https://openqcm.com/about-openqcm-wi2/) Standard 02 / Standard #### openQCM Q-1 Frequency + Dissipation, without compromise. A benchtop QCM-D. Δf and ΔD from one sweep, on the fundamental or one selected overtone. The configuration of choice for soft-matter and biolayer measurements. - Modes QCM-D - Overtones n ≤ 9, one at a time - Flow cell Modular - Channels 1 [Open the Q-1 page →](https://openqcm.com/about-openqcm-q-1/) Flagship 03 / Flagship #### openQCM NEXT Multi-harmonic QCM-D + active thermal control. The flagship. Multi-overtone resolution with closed-loop temperature control, plus optional modules for optical access, electrochemistry and pipetting. - Modes Multi-overtone QCM-D - Overtones n = 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 - Thermal ±0.01 °C - Modules EC · Optical · Pipetting [Open the NEXT page →](https://openqcm.com/about-openqcm-next/) 02 / Embedded & OEM ### Off the bench. The same open QCM core, taken where a benchtop instrument can't go — embedded modules, differential OEM boards and vacuum-ready holders. Embedded 04 / Embedded #### openQCM SpaceBug Ultra-compact, ultra-low-power QCM module. A 7-gram QCM module for CubeSats in orbit and battery-powered nodes in the field — nanogram sensing where footprint and energy budget are tight. - Modes Frequency - Weight 7 g - Deep sleep 28.5 µA - Mount Castellated [Open the SpaceBug page →](https://openqcm.com/about-openqcm-spacebug/) OEM 05 / OEM #### openQCM TWIN Dual-crystal differential QCM for gas & vacuum. Two crystals — one sensing, one reference — on an OEM board. Differential readout cancels common-mode drift for gas-phase and vacuum work. - Modes Differential Δf - Crystals 2 · ref + sensor - Thermal MTD415T - Environment Gas & vacuum [Open the TWIN page →](https://openqcm.com/about-openqcm-twin/) Vacuum 06 / Vacuum #### openQCM Holder All-FR-4 QCM sensor holder, vacuum-compatible. A sub-5-gram all-FR-4 sensor holder built for vacuum chambers — minimal outgassing, USB or solder-pad connection, 1–10 MHz crystals. - Modes Frequency - Weight < 5 g - Profile 4 mm - Environment Vacuum [Open the Holder page →](https://openqcm.com/about-openqcm-holder/) 03 / Compare ### What each instrument can do. The three benchtop instruments, side by side — picked by capability, not by hierarchy. The embedded and OEM line (SpaceBug, TWIN, Holder) is specified on each device’s own page. Capability Wi2 Q-1 NEXT · flagship Frequency Δf ● ● ● Dissipation ΔD ○ ● ● Overtones — n≤9, one at a time n=1,3,5,7,9 Thermal control — — ±0.01 °C Wireless optional — — Electrochemistry module — opt ● Optical module — — ● Pipetting module — — ● Software open open open Schematics open open open 04 / How to choose ### Match the question to the instrument. A 30-second heuristic. If in doubt, run the calculator with your expected Δm — it will recommend a configuration. 01 / Wi2 #### You need to track mass uptake in real time. Single-channel Δf at 5 or 10 MHz is enough. Small, portable, hands-off acquisition. 02 / Wi2 #### You teach QCM in an undergraduate lab. The lowest barrier to entry, open firmware to peek inside, and a price that scales to a classroom. 03 / Q-1 #### Your film is soft, swollen, or viscoelastic. You need dissipation. Q-1 gives you Δf and ΔD on one selected overtone at a time, the standard QCM-D measurement. 04 / Q-1 #### You run a benchtop flow-cell setup. Modular fluidics, drift-stable acquisition, clean interface to your existing pump and tubing. 05 / NEXT #### You need to fit a viscoelastic model. Multiple overtones (n = 1, 3, 5, 7, 9) are non-negotiable. NEXT resolves all five from a single crystal. 06 / NEXT #### Your experiment is temperature-sensitive. Closed-loop Peltier control to ±0.01 °C. Combine with EC or optical modules for coupled measurements. 07 / SpaceBug #### You're embedding QCM in a satellite or field node. 7 grams, 28.5 µA deep sleep, castellated mount. Nanogram sensing where space and power are scarce. 08 / TWIN #### You measure in gas or vacuum and fight drift. A dual-crystal differential board: a reference crystal cancels common-mode drift, with onboard thermal control. 09 / Holder #### You need a QCM sensor inside a vacuum chamber. An all-FR-4 holder under 5 g, 4 mm thin, minimal outgassing — USB or solder-pad connection, 1–10 MHz crystals. 05 / Heritage ### Where it all began. openQCM (2014) was our first instrument — the open-source quartz crystal microbalance that started the project. It is no longer in production, but its design, electronics and software remain open for reference. [Heritage · 2014 #### The original openQCM A truly plug-and-play, open-source QCM — Arduino-based, 1–10 MHz, operating in liquid, air or vacuum. Discontinued, kept online for the community. Visit the openQCM page → ![The original openQCM](https://openqcm.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/1_Quartz_Crystal_Microbalance-holder-quartz-1-1024x396.jpg)](https://openqcm.com/openqcm) ### Not sure? Ask us. Tell us the measurement you want to make. We'll tell you which openQCM is right — or recommend a different technique altogether if QCM isn't the answer. [Book a 30-min call →](https://openqcm.com/contacts/) [Email engineering ↗](mailto:engineering@novaetech.com) [Visit the store ↗](https://store.openqcm.com/) --- openQCM by Novaetech S.r.l., Pompeii, Italy · Buy: https://store.openqcm.com/ · Contact: info@openqcm.com · https://openqcm.com/contacts