Advanced Materials

Semiconductor manufacturing processes require many chemicals and specialty gases. Owing to its cryogenic properties, exceptional thermal conductivity, chemical inertness, and high diffusivity, helium is used throughout the semiconductor manufacturing line, particularly for wafer cooling where there are no viable alternatives.

Conductive inks are a diverse and versatile technology, with differing price points to suit various applications. Conductivity, stretchability, cost, and durability are just some of the factors of consideration for manufacturers when selecting ink types and materials, and IDTechEx's latest report, Conductive Inks Market 2024-2034: Technologies, Applications, Players, deep dives into the many combinations available.

Carbon capture technologies are mature but remain expensive. In this premium article, IDTechEx explores how utilizing captured carbon dioxide can enable profitability of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS).

Tuesday 24 September 2024 - How Chronic Supply Challenges Are Reshaping Helium Use in Key Industries. An overview of global helium production and supply; Impact of supply challenges on different industries e.g. semiconductors and fiber optics manufacturing, cryogenics, and several others; Technological advances to reduce helium consumption (e.g. MRI and NMR); Trends in the adoption of substitutes or reclamation systems; Outlook for global helium production capacity and demand

This premium article will provide a comprehensive overview of key insights gained from the Direct Lithium Extraction Summit 2024, with a focus on technologies and players in lithium extraction and refining.

This premium article discusses nanoparticle and nanowire silver conductive inks.

PlantSea is a company established in 2020 by three PhD students from Aberystwyth University. It focuses on developing sustainable, biodegradable materials from seaweed, aiming to replace single-use plastics. Its products include packaging and agricultural mulch films, and it has received recognition for creating seaweed-based packaging that is recyclable according to OPRL standards.

Innovation map for emerging critical semiconductor recovery market and secondary sources

High-performance computing, 6G communication, autonomous vehicle chips, and consumer electronics are all key markets that benefit from advancing semiconductor packaging. IDTechEx's report, "Advanced Semiconductor Packaging 2024-2034: Forecasts, Technologies, Applications", goes into detail about emerging technologies, including 2.5D and 3D packaging.

MarinaTex is a company that develops biodegradable materials as alternatives to single-use plastics. Founded by Lucy Hughes in 2019, the company uses fish waste and red algae to create a transparent, flexible bioplastic that decomposes within four to six weeks in home compostable environments. MarinaTex's material is designed for various applications, including packaging, and claims to be stronger than traditional LDPE plastic​.

Innovation map for the rare-earth magnet recycling value chain: Players, markets, and key secondary sources.

Silver-flake-based inks currently dominate the conductive inks market, but the outlook for non-silver inks is set to change dramatically over the coming decade, with a CAGR of 24%. Stretchable/thermoformable inks and copper inks will seize the largest market share, driven by applications such as in-mold electronics, wearable electrodes, and RFID & smart packaging.

FlexSea is a technology company focused on developing advanced materials and solutions for various industries. It specializes in creating flexible, high-performance materials suitable for diverse applications. FlexSea's primary material is a type of soft, flexible, and durable silicone-based elastomer.

Carbon capture technologies capable of removing CO2 from industrial emissions have been around for over 50 years, but widescale deployment of CCUS (carbon capture, utilization, and storage) has been too slow for global net-zero ambitions. While governments are beginning to implement carbon pricing mechanisms or tax credits to motivate permanent storage of CO2 deep underground, a profitable business model exists beyond CO2 sequestration via emerging CO2 utilization applications.

Evoware is an Indonesian start-up specializing in biodegradable and home-compostable single-use packaging made from natural materials like seaweed, cassava, and sugarcane. Its products include dissolvable packaging films for dry foods and edible cups. The company aims to provide eco-friendly alternatives to reduce plastic waste.

The rise of co-packaged optics is transforming modern data centers and high-performance networks by addressing critical challenges such as bandwidth density, energy efficiency, and scalability. CPO enhances interconnect bandwidth and energy efficiency by integrating optics and electronics within a single package, significantly shortening electrical link lengths.

Bosch Sensortec are one of the biggest suppliers of MEMS technology, with 17 locations across the world. Bosch Sensortec provide motion, environmental, optical and acoustic sensor solutions and tools, primarily to consumer electronics markets. IDTechEx spoke with Senior Product Manager, Ryo Sakauchi, at Sensors Converge 2024 in Santa Clara, CA.

Notpla is a company that develops biodegradable packaging solutions aimed at reducing plastic waste. It creates products from natural materials, such as seaweed, which decompose naturally. Its offerings include edible packaging for liquids and compostable films, providing eco-friendly alternatives to traditional plastic packaging.

Helium is a finite resource that plays a critical role across several industries including medical imaging, thermal management systems for batteries, aerospace engineering, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, semiconductor manufacturing, fiber optics, particle physics, scientific balloons, and many more.