# We spent three days with the world's Stirling experts. Here's what stood out. | Airthium (YC S17)

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- Published at: 2026-09-03 20:54:32 UTC
- Updated at: 2026-09-03 23:11:57 UTC

## Author
Franck Lahaye

## Subject
Airthium (YC S17)

## Content
Last week, our team traveled to Pau, France, for the 21st International Stirling Engine Conference.A Stirling engine is a machine that converts heat into electricity—and electricity into heat—by compressing and expanding gas rather than burning fuel. That two-way capability is the foundation of our technology.Since 1982, the conference has brought together leading researchers and builders in Stirling engine technology.Our team spent three days attending research sessions and exchanging ideas with startups and academics working with the same core technology. These conversations reinforced our belief in Airthium's approach to delivering efficient, electrified heat for industrial processes.Factories are paying too much for energy, and efficiency is central to changing that. The conference highlighted the range of approaches being explored across the field and the technical challenges that remain. Our patented near-isothermal liquid-piston compression is one of the innovations that we believe can help us reduce factory energy costs below those of natural gas.More importantly, the trip opened new doors, and we left with several potential partnerships to explore.Conferences like this are a reminder that the market is still young and that a focused team solving a difficult technical problem can make a meaningful contribution.We've raised more than $420,000 from over 340 investors. If you haven't joined us yet, now is the time! → Invest in Airthium