Christian Röthel earned his Ph.D. in Physics from Graz University of Technology, specializing in X-ray analysis and crystallography, which gave him deep expertise in material structures and advanced measurement techniques.
In 2018, he joined Piezocryst, starting as a Key Account Manager. Leveraging his technical background and customer-focused approach, Christian transitioned into leadership roles.
For the past five years, he has been responsible for Product Management and leading the Sales Team at the company’s Graz office, driving innovation and delivering high-performance sensor solutions to global markets.
In December 2024, HBK (as part of parent company Spectris) acquired Austrian-based Piezocryst Advanced Sensorics. Now integrated into the HBK family, Piezocryst has produced high‑precision piezoelectric pressure and vibration sensors since the 1950s, supporting demanding automotive, aerospace, energy, and industrial applications. The integration strengthens HBK’s capabilities in advanced sensing technologies while maintaining alignment within its broader measurement‑technology family.
Hydrogen combustion environments present unique challenges for pressure sensing –extreme temperatures, rapid thermal gradients, and high vibration can cause conventional sensors to fail. HBK addresses these issues with gallium phosphate (GaPO₄) technology, a material that maintains stable piezoelectric properties up to 1,000°C and resists hydrogen-induced degradation, making it ideal for turbine development, combustion monitoring, and other high-stress applications. Christian Röthel, Product and Sales Manager at Piezocryst by HBK, shares insights into how this technology is shaping the future of extreme environment measurement.
Conventional sensors struggle due to hydrogen’s extreme conditions:
GaPO₄, a single-crystalline material, is engineered for high-temperature, hydrogen environments:
GaPO₄-based sensors eliminate known weaknesses of alternatives:
Per Engineering Report FM7487:
Explore our white paper Why Piezocryst’s Direct Measurement Expertise Sets a New Standard and learn how our technology delivers precise hydrogen-engine combustion monitoring by capturing stable pressure data in extreme conditions, ensuring turbine reliability, safety, and predictive maintenance.
Select models measure:
Our specialisation in turbine development and combustion monitoring provides:
This will bring together HBM, Brüel & Kjær, nCode, ReliaSoft, and Discom brands, helping you innovate faster for a cleaner, healthier, and more productive world.
This will bring together HBM, Brüel & Kjær, nCode, ReliaSoft, and Discom brands, helping you innovate faster for a cleaner, healthier, and more productive world.
This will bring together HBM, Brüel & Kjær, nCode, ReliaSoft, and Discom brands, helping you innovate faster for a cleaner, healthier, and more productive world.
This will bring together HBM, Brüel & Kjær, nCode, ReliaSoft, and Discom brands, helping you innovate faster for a cleaner, healthier, and more productive world.
This will bring together HBM, Brüel & Kjær, nCode, ReliaSoft, and Discom brands, helping you innovate faster for a cleaner, healthier, and more productive world.
This will bring together HBM, Brüel & Kjær, nCode, ReliaSoft, MicroStrain and Discom brands, helping you innovate faster for a cleaner, healthier, and more productive world.
