Research Articles

This article highlights the materials opportunities across quantum computing, quantum sensing, and quantum communications, dividing them into three materials platforms: superconducting chips, photonics (including PICs), and nanomaterials.

IDTechEx analyst Dr Jack Howley covers the critical material recovery market, concluding that over 8 million tons of critical materials will be recovered per year by 2046.

The rise of the Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) is transforming not only passenger cars but also the commercial vehicle industry, which is reshaping how trucks, vans, and specialty vehicles are designed, operated, and maintained.

IDTechEx forecasts that the global sensor market will reach $250B in annual revenue by 2036, as global mega-trends in AI, future mobility, wearables, edge computing, and automation drive renewed growth opportunities. Next generation sensor technology innovations in quantum sensors, ADAS sensors, image sensors, MEMS, photonic integrated circuits, and printed sensor markets will be key to realizing the highest growth opportunities over the next decade.

The reliability of high-tech, miniaturized technologies is something easily assumed, but could they be reaching their peak? The looming presence of recent solar flare activity impacting communications is a reminder of the large and ever-present phenomenon of outer space, and could mean preparing for the return of communication-by-pigeon.

The sensitivity and unmatched performance of quantum technologies is allowing for great advancements across a number of major sectors, including sensors, computing, and communication. This article explores a few of the recent developments and applications within commercial sectors.

The global RFID market continues to expand, with IDTechEx forecasting growth from US$15.6 billion in 2025 to US$23 billion by 2036. and associated software and services across both passive and active technologies. Drawing on insights from IDTechEx's latest research study, "RFID 2026-2036: Forecasts, Players and Opportunities", this article provides a high-level overview of the market outlook and examines regional trends across the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa.

Join IDTechEx Senior Technology Analyst Dr Shababa Selim for this 30-minute webinar, where she will be sharing insights from the brand-new market report "Low-Loss Materials for 5G/6G, Radar, and High-Speed Digital 2026-2036: Markets, Trends, and Forecasts".

Functionality is at the heart of in-mold electronics - a technology concerned with creating seamlessly integrated electronic functions into hardware, particularly within automotive interiors. This article covers the latest innovations within IME and the role it can play in the automotive sector.

Join IDTechEx Senior Technology Analyst Conrad Nichols for this 30-minute webinar, which examines key applications for RFBs, the advantages of the technology to be leveraged, and provides an update on the global flow batteries market.

Despite a year of critical material supply disruptions, technology mega-trends in decarbonization, electrification, automation and AI continue to fuel demand for high-performance rare earth magnets. IDTechEx forecasts that rare earth magnet demand will reach 332 ktpa by 2036 and breaks down usage and adoption trends in electric vehicles, wind turbines, and robotics growth markets.

IDTechEx, along with many other industry experts, are expecting robotaxis to become a common sight in major cities over the next twenty years. The business case for robotaxis, although not without its obstacles, is compelling. However, in the meantime, there will still be billions of privately owned vehicles on the roads. This article considers the case for autonomous private vehicles and the software market: from adaptive cruise control to true autonomy, everywhere.

In October 2025, Virgin Media (one of the UK's largest telecom operators) signed a landmark partnership with Starlink to provide D2C (direct-to-cell) mobile services from 2026. Although this technology will harness the same satellites as those used for Starlink's satellite Wi-Fi, IDTechEx's latest report on 6G unpacks how D2C mobile services face fundamental physical challenges that will affect their performance compared with satellite Wi-Fi.

IDTechEx's report titled "Co-Packaged Optics (CPO) 2026 to 2036: Technologies, Market, and Forecasts" reviews recent advances in CPO technology, tracks emerging packaging approaches, assesses the strategies of leading companies, and provides long term market forecasts. The report highlights how CPO adoption is set to reshape data center infrastructure in the coming decade.

IDTechEx analyst Dr Conor O'Brien covers the outlook for graphene through to 2036.

Robotics are becoming increasingly integrated into all main aspects of driving and the automotive sector as a whole. This article covers some of the main uses for robotics in vehicle operation and manufacturing processes, including radar for safety, and humanoid robots for assembly.

As of 2025, single-phase direct-to-chip (D2C) cooling remains the dominant solution for high-end GPU thermal management. However, as thermal design power (TDP) continues to climb, two-phase D2C cooling is expected to become essential, with large-scale adoption projected around 2026-2027.

With the growing scrutiny of Li-ion battery energy storage system (BESS) safety, demand for passive materials and active technologies is set to grow. BESS developers are all adopting different strategies to ensure that their systems can strike the right balance of safety against overall system cost.

Join Dr Conor O'Brien on Thursday 11th December for an insightful webinar on "Materials Trends for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells". The webinar will include an introduction to PEM fuel cells, an overview of the key applications driving market growth, a breakdown of the forecast market value in 2036 segmented by fuel cell component, and a detailed discussion of the major materials trends in the sector for the core components.

As global demand for critical rare earths, battery materials, and semiconductors surges, end-of-life waste is quickly transforming into a strategic goldmine of critical materials. With IDTechEx forecasting that over US$66B of critical material value will be recovered from waste annually by 2046, IDTechEx evaluates hydrometallurgy, pyrometallurgy, and other emerging recycling technologies for critical material recovery.

Join IDTechEx Research Analyst Dr Xiaoxi He on Tuesday 2nd December for an insightful webinar, "Solid-State Batteries: Decoding the Next Leap in Performance, Value, and Market Readiness". Attendees will gain an integrated understanding of where the sector stands in late 2025 and how priorities are shifting toward manufacturability, scalability, and sustainability.

Translating the body's signals into readable measurements or partaking in the enjoyment of gaming are ever-expanding possibilities with streamlined and accessible wearable devices. This article explores a wide range of wearables, including smart watches, glasses, mouthguards, glucose patches, VR headsets, and brain computer interfaces.

Stationary fuel cells and green hydrogen production have been two main points of interest under the hydrogen umbrella, with the rise of decarbonization and sustainable energy trends making way for innovations within the renewable energy sector. This article explores some of the latest developments within the hydrogen sector.

IDTechEx's Sensors report provides extensive analysis of the global sensor market, including 58 company profiles and insights collected from over 20 related sensor reports. Summarizing IDTechEx's extensive sensors report portfolio, this research contains over 35 sensor technology SWOT analyses, 24 technology readiness level roadmaps, material requirements and supplier information across future mobility, IoT, wearables, biomedical, edge computing, environmental sensing and more.

IDTechEx covers the microplastic problem; how governments are beginning to address it; and solutions to remove microplastics pollution.

Transmission losses become increasingly significant as communication systems move toward higher frequencies, making low-loss materials essential to preserve signal strength and integrity. These materials are critical for technologies such as 5G mmWave and future 6G telecommunications which is expected to see deployment around 2030, as well as for automotive radar systems for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Similarly, data center infrastructure is shifting toward ultra-high data rates exceeding 200Gbps amplifying the need for materials that can perform reliably and maintain signal integrity under such demanding conditions.

Join Senior Technology Analyst Mika Takahashi on Thursday 27th November for a new webinar sharing insights on what the telecoms industry should learn from the 5G rollout, to ensure 6G is a success from day one. Choose your preferred time zone - the webinar runs three times during the day.

The redox flow battery market has seen significant growth in the past two years, led predominantly by key player Rongke Power. However, several opportunities are also being grasped by other players, be this in the emerging applications for RFBs, commercialization of cheaper RFB technologies, and new programs to incentivize RFBs and LDES.

Trade restrictions put in place by China in 2025 have made securing rare earth materials more challenging for the rest of the world. This article discusses the routes to reducing or eliminating rare earth materials in electric motors for electric vehicles in light of these restrictions.

This webinar on Tuesday 25th November, presented by IDTechEx Senior Technology Analyst Conrad Nichols, will discuss thermal management and fire prevention trends for battery energy storage systems (BESS). Choose your preferred time zone - the webinar runs three times during the day.

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells will see uptake in a range of mobility and stationary applications, with specific technology trends for the individual fuel cell components. This article introduces these constituent components, and the associated trends seen in the market.

IDTechEx's research encompasses a wide range of existing innovative technologies with the potential to decarbonize the planet. However, costs are generally higher compared with the fossil fuel status quo. Creative market mechanisms are needed, unlocking green technologies for buyers across a wide range of sectors and geographies.

As advanced electrification increases across many major sectors, including automotives and electronics, new trends and innovations are increasingly notable within the battery industry. This article covers multiple additives and advanced sensing technologies for batteries.

The need for sustainability within computing has never been so prevalent, with artificial intelligence, large language models, and high-performance computing requiring energy intensive processes that are contributing to increased carbon emissions. This article explores sustainability trends within the sector.

Microplastics have emerged as a major environmental concern, prompting growing public awareness and increasing regulatory pressure. In response, industries are turning to biodegradable polymer alternatives. In this article, IDTechEx explores whether biodegradable plastics can address microplastic pollution.

IDTechEx explores the outlook and uses for advanced coatings in electric vehicles.