Research Articles

Electric vehicles (EVs) are a primary method to reach a net zero transportation sector, but in addition to CO2 emissions, overall sustainability is becoming an increased focus point. However, sustainability is a very complex topic that does not tend to deal with absolutes as many factors are involved.

The semiconductor industry continually pushes packaging technology boundaries to meet the demand for higher chip performance and efficiency. Bandwidth is one of the critical factors defining the amount of data transmitted between dies on a package.

In the face of escalating global plastic pollution, enzymatic recycling has emerged as an innovative approach, capturing media attention by offering a novel solution to one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time.

IDTechEx announces the availability of a new report, "Air Taxis: Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) Aircraft 2024-2044: Technologies, Players". This report is intended to help companies understand the exciting emerging urban air mobility (UAM) market.

The mining industry has always been perceived as a high-emitting and resource-heavy industry - one that contributes 2-3% of all global CO2 emissions. However, within the last few years, the industry has followed the path of other vehicle sectors and embraced electrification. The use of EVs in global mining is on the rise and could be set to change attitudes towards the industry at large.

Thursday 4 April 2024 - Navigating the Future: Evolution and Opportunities in Automotive Heads-Up Display (HUD) Technology - Classification of HUDs Requirements for HUDs; Overview of PGU technology choices; Future trend of AR HUDs and their value propositions; Opportunities for suppliers in the HUD development value chain

"Forever chemicals", or PFAS, are coming under increasing regulatory pressure globally as concerns over the negative effects of PFAS on human health and the environment are mounting. In their brand new report, "Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) 2024: Emerging Applications, Alternatives, Regulations", IDTechEx dives deeply to explore the future trajectory of PFAS in five key emerging applications: thermal management for data centers, sustainable food packaging, electric vehicles, low-loss materials for 5G, and the hydrogen economy.

Thursday 11 April 2024 - An overview of key printed and flexible sensor technologies and printed sensor material requirements? A critical evaluation of historic printed sensor market successes and shortcomings? Evolving and emerging trends and commercial use cases of printed and flexible sensors? Market opportunities and market forecast overview?

In-cabin monitoring, comprising both Driver Monitoring System (DMS) and Occupancy Monitoring System (OMS), has experienced significant growth since the start of 2024. Traditionally, DMS relies on 2D infrared cameras, while OMS utilizes 3D sensing modules like 3D time-of-flight (ToF) cameras or radar modules.

Der Markt für Elektrofahrzeuge (EV) erlebt 2023 ein weiteres spannendes Wachstumsjahr. Nach einem Anstieg der Elektroauto-Verkäufe um 62 % im Jahr 2022 im Vergleich zu 2021 prognostiziert IDTechEx für 2023 einen Anstieg der weltweiten Verkäufe um 16 %. Allerdings wurde das Wachstum im Laufe des Jahres durch die Entwicklung der Plug-in-Hybride (PHEV) in Europa etwas gebremst, insbesondere in der ersten Hälfte des Jahres 2023, was teilweise auf die Kürzung der Subventionen in Deutschland zurückzuführen ist. Nichtsdestotrotz sind sich viele einig, dass E-Fahrzeuge die Zukunft der Automobilindustrie darstellen, insbesondere bei Personenkraftwagen.

In March, the printed electronics industry flocked to Munich once again for the LOPEC 2024 conference and exhibition. Featured were some of the latest printed electronics technologies addressing global mega-trends such as vehicle electrification, healthcare personalization, industry 4.0, and sustainability.

Thursday 28 March 2024 - Technology & Market Developments for Electrolyzers in Green Hydrogen Production - Introduction to the hydrogen economy and green hydrogen production; Overview of the incumbent electrolyzer technologies; Current state of electrolyzer manufacturing and market; Key innovations needed in electrolyzer technology & overview of novel technologies; Electrolyzer market growth drivers and market outlook

Bipolar plates are crucial components in proton exchange fuel cells, representing a substantial portion of the value of the fuel cell stack. IDTechEx predicts that their market value will surpass US$2.5 billion by 2034. The choice between metal and graphite materials for bipolar plates is a significant consideration, with each option having distinct advantages depending on the specific application.

Quantum computing is pitched as enabling exponentially faster drug discovery, battery chemistry development, multi-variable logistics, vehicle autonomy, accurate asset pricing, and much more. In the last decade, the number of companies actively developing quantum computer hardware has quadrupled. Between 2022 and 2024, multiple funding rounds within the quantum computing market surpassed US$100 million were closed, and the transition from lab-based toys to commercial product began.

Is the emphasis on road safety accelerating the use of heads-up displays in the automotive sector? With distracted driving accounting for 25% of all road accidents and young drivers accounting for the largest demographic using technology while driving, it is imperative to look for solutions to this problem.

As the volume of variable renewable energy (VRE) sources penetrating electricity grids increases globally, so does the need to manage the increasing uncertainty and variability in electricity supply. Long duration energy storage (LDES) technologies will be needed in key regions from the 2030s to support electricity grids with greater penetrations of VRE.

Sensors are vital in modern life. They measure a vast quantity of metrics and parameters, acting as the interface between the physical and digital worlds. Printed sensors can be produced in large areas on flexible substrates, reducing costs and unlocking new market opportunities. The new IDTechEx report, "Printed and Flexible Sensors 2024-2034: Technologies, Players, Markets", breaks down key trends by technology approach - highlighting both opportunities and challenges for the industry forecast to reach US$960 million by 2034.

IDTechEx have released a brand new episode of the 'Tomorrow's Tech by IDTechEx' podcast, 'EV Charging 101: How Can We Take the Guesswork Out of Driving Electric?'. Host Dr Tess Skyrme and industry expert Shazan Siddiqi will be discussing the up-and-coming trends in the EV Charging landscape.

Software reading scans and online management of mental health are examples of digital healthcare that keep up with the modernization of the world, where efficiency and patient satisfaction are two key benefits. The weight of increasing demand for services could be lifted as more options become available for patients to seek treatment, and communication across the medical field can be redesigned.

The clean hydrogen market is poised for significant growth, driven by the increasing focus from companies and governments on developing green hydrogen infrastructure to decarbonize hard-to-abate industries. The electrolyzer is a key component of the green hydrogen plant, responsible for the splitting of water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable energy.

Copper is a critical material in the manufacturing of all vehicles, regardless of whether they are powered by gas, diesel, electricity, hydrogen, or even liquid natural gas (LNG). The demand for copper from the automotive industry was just over 3MT (1MT = 1 billion kilograms) in 2023 but is set to increase to 5MT in 2034.

Thursday 14 March 2024 - Exploring Antenna Packaging Technologies: From 5G mmWave to 6G; An overview of antenna packaging technologies for high frequency telecommunication; Antenna packaging strategies for mmWave; Antenna packaging strategies for 6G (beyond 100 GHz)

Materials informatics represents the data revolution's impact on materials R&D. Data-centric approaches, including AI and machine learning, are transforming the way materials scientists and engineers work, getting materials to market faster and driving development in new directions. A range of strategic approaches have emerged, with leading players and commercialized materials developed via data-driven methods emerging.

Mycelium first came to prominence with its use in sustainable packaging. Several startup companies, such as Ecovative, received strong investments to develop the technology. Not long after, some companies realized the potential of mycelium to be used as a leather-like material. Companies have since expanded their focus to make mycelium leather a reality.

As the world awaits the full take-off of the next generation of telecommunication technologies, 5G, important stakeholders are preparing for the future of future telecommunications - 6G. This may seem premature, given that deployment of 5G infrastructure and base stations are not nearly at their peak yet.

Thursday 21 March 2024 - Materials Informatics: The Data Revolution and AI Boom come to Materials R&D - The latest commercial developments in the field, including the impact of new industry interest in the age of AI; Assessment of the different strategic approaches being adopted; The key technology pillars required for a MI approach; Industry pain points; Application case studies

The battle to secure communications is intensifying. Over the last twenty years hacking has grown into a lucrative enterprise. This global challenge is anticipated to worsen as the volume and value of data transmitted rises. The impact on society could be catastrophic, with the average cost of a data-breach already surpassing millions of dollars.

The production of green hydrogen continues to be the focus of many governmental and corporate decarbonization strategies. The electrolyzer is a key technology that enables green hydrogen production by splitting water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable electricity. Many focus on the need for large-scale green hydrogen plants as well as electrolyzer manufacturing facilities.

Millimeter-wave (mmWave), previously confined to military, satellite, and automotive radar applications, has now entered the mobile communications frequency spectrum, offering high data throughput of up to 20 Gbps with an ultralow latency of just 1 ms.

Global efforts to decarbonize medium- and heavy-duty (MHD) freight vehicles are crucial for reducing transportation-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These vehicles, pivotal to economies worldwide, emit significant GHGs and criteria pollutants, often impacting vulnerable communities.

Advanced semiconductor packaging technologies like 2.5D and 3D hybrid bonding, along with emerging solutions like silicon photonics, are critical in optimizing system performance and fostering the next wave of AI and HPC chip innovation.

With the shift towards electric vehicles, end-users are becoming less concerned about traditional differentiators like engine horsepower and are placing greater emphasis on smart interior functions. This trend is compelling automotive OEMs to invest more efforts in enhancing interior features, thereby adding greater value to their products and distinguishing them from other vehicles.

In a world with a growing population and a rapidly expanding construction sector to match, how do we prevent building homes from damaging our climate? Concrete is the second most consumed material on Earth, but its key ingredient, cement, is responsible for 7% of global anthropogenic CO2 emissions. The answer could come from thin air - CO2-derived building materials.

Electric vehicle (EV) fire safety continues to be a critical topic. Data continues to support the fact that EVs are less likely to catch fire than internal combustion engine vehicles. However, as a new technology, EVs get more press, and besides, even a very low occurrence rate still poses significant risks to vehicle occupants and surroundings.

Thursday 22 February 2024 - Discuss the key components of a PEM fuel cell, including their purpose, form factor, and possible material choices; Highlight innovations in alternative materials and manufacturing processes with respect to the incumbents and the impact of proposed regulations; Outline key technology trends for materials, including the driving forces behind these trends; Overview of the PEM fuel cell market within the context of the broader fuel cell electric vehicle market

Electromagnetic interference shielding is becoming more adapted to the meet demands of growing communications technology. Personal devices are everywhere. As they get thinner, the components in each device are getting closer together, and EMI shielding is becoming well-known as the mastermind.