University of Cambridge, Dept of Physics

Envisics

Founded in January 2018, from an augmented reality wearables parent company, DAQRI, Envisics has grown in the heads-up display (HUD) space, being valued more recently at US$500M with investments from large OEMs such as Hyundai Mobis, Stellantis, GM Ventures or Inmotion Ventures from Jaguar Land Rover. With research that spun out of the University of Cambridge, Envisics has evolved significantly, bringing this solution to the automotive industry. Led by Dr Jamieson Christmas, Envisics is bringing holographic displays to augmented reality HUDs (AR-HUDS) and providing full depth planes to images projected ahead of the driver.

Sensmet Oy

Sensmet Oy is a Finnish company, which provides an on-line analysis technology for detecting metal impurities in liquid streams. IDTechEx spoke with Toni Laurila, CEO of the company, at The Battery Show Europe 2023.

Cambridge Touch Technologies

Cambridge Touch Technologies (CTT) were spun out of the University of Cambridge and produce electroactive polymer enabled touch screen technology.

Versed AI

Versed AI was presented at Cambridge Tech Week 2023, and Tess Skyrme, Technology Analyst at IDTechEx, attended a presentation by the founder Fenella Boyle.

Xampla

Xampla are a UK-based company developing plant-based materials to replace single-use flexible plastics and intentionally-added microplastics. IDTechEx spoke with Xampla CTO Dr Marc Rodriguez on their materials and applications.

Hitachi Cambridge Laboratory (HCL)

The HCL is based within the University of Cambridge and is developing silicon-based quantum computing hardware.

Watching Lithium in Real Time to Improve Performance of EV Batteries

Researchers have found that the irregular movement of lithium ions in next-generation battery materials could be reducing their capacity and hindering their performance. The team, led by the tracked the movement of lithium ions inside a promising new battery material in real time.

New Evidence for Liquid Water Beneath the South Polar Ice Cap of Mars

An international team of researchers has revealed new evidence for the possible existence of liquid water beneath the south polar ice cap of Mars. The researchers used spacecraft laser-altimeter measurements of the shape of the upper surface of the ice cap to identify subtle patterns in its height. They then showed that these patterns match computer model predictions for how a body of water beneath the ice cap would affect the surface.

Cambridge Smart Plastics

Cambridge Smart Plastics are a UK-based company, providing novel polymer materials with unique characteristics. IDTechEx spoke with Andrew Terentjev (CEO).

Algorithm Learns to Correct 3D Printing Errors

Engineers have created intelligent 3D printers that can quickly detect and correct errors, even in previously unseen designs, or unfamiliar materials like ketchup and mayonnaise, by learning from the experiences of other machines.

Floating Artificial Leaves Ride the Wave of Clean Fuel Production

Researchers have developed floating 'artificial leaves' that generate clean fuels from sunlight and water, and could eventually operate on a large scale at sea. The researchers designed ultra-thin, flexible devices, which take their inspiration from photosynthesis - the process by which plants convert sunlight into food. Since the low-cost, autonomous devices are light enough to float, they could be used to generate a sustainable alternative to petrol without taking up space on land.

Smart Lighting System Based on Quantum Dots

Researchers have designed smart, colour-controllable white light devices from quantum dots - tiny semiconductors just a few billionths of a metre in size - which are more efficient and have better colour saturation than standard LEDs, and can dynamically reproduce daylight conditions in a single light.

Opto Biosystems

Opto Biosystems are a start-up emerging from the University of Cambridge, developing injectable neural interfaces capable of detecting activity in the brain, spine, and peripheral nervous system. One key use case for this technology is the minimally invasive monitoring of brain cancer patients. Tess Skyrme, Technology Analyst at IDTechEx, interviewed Co-founder Ben Woodington.

Illumina

Illumina is a US-based biotech company, founded in 1998 by Larry Bock and Anthony Czarnik. Illumina is a leader in the DNA sequencing market and is believed to own the largest share of the genetic sequencing industry.

Climate Damage Caused by Growing Space Tourism Needs Urgent Mitigation

A formidable space tourism industry may have a greater climate effect than the aviation industry and undo repair to the protective ozone layer if left unregulated, according to a new study.

VividQ

VividQ is a Cambridge, UK-based firm which focuses on developing IP for computer-generated holography, both for software and optical engine hardware. Its method of generating holograms is efficient on common GPUs and its display solutions may be constructed from off-the-shelf hardware. The key use cases it targets are AR wearables and automotive HUDs.

Secret to Treating Achilles Heel of Alternatives to Silicon Solar

A team of researchers from the UK and Japan has found that the tiny defects which limit the efficiency of perovskites - cheaper alternative materials for solar cells - are also responsible for structural changes in the material that lead to degradation.

Low Cost Battery-Like Device Absorbs CO2 Emissions While it Charges

Researchers have developed a low-cost device that can selectively capture carbon dioxide gas while it charges. Then, when it discharges, the CO2 can be released in a controlled way and collected to be reused or disposed of responsibly.

Reliable and Renewable Biological Photovoltaic Cell

Researchers have used a widespread species of blue-green algae to power a microprocessor continuously for a year - and counting - using nothing but ambient light and water. Their system has potential as a reliable and renewable way to power small devices.

Taste of the Future: Robot Chef Learns to 'Taste As You Go'

A robot 'chef' has been trained to taste food at different stages of the chewing process to assess whether it's sufficiently seasoned. The results could be useful in the development of automated or semi-automated food preparation by helping robots to learn what tastes good and what doesn't, making them better cooks.