Research Articles

Ten short years ago 3D printing was almost the exclusive remit of rapid prototyping. Nobody was putting 3D printing into mass production back then.

Defining and exploiting value proposition is an essential part of wearable technology's journey from early adopters into mass markets, and sensor platforms enable the key value proposition in most wearable devices today. This is why made-for-wearable sensors are being developed around the world, and this is why IDTechEx Research finds that made-for-wearable sensors will represent 42% of all sensors in wearable devices in 2026, up from a measly 7% in 2015.

Thin, flexible and printed batteries have the potential to be widely used in wearable and medical devices and will reach a market of over $400 million in a decade, according to IDTechEx report Flexible, Printed and Thin Film Batteries 2015-2025: Technologies, Forecasts, Players.

Extreme vehicle concepts have a habit of appearing in a car near you.

The IDTechEx Show! in Santa Clara assembled the largest collection of innovators and experts around wearable technology. The aim was to share knowledge, build networks and solve problems that the industry faces. With decision makers from the most well-known and prestigious wearable technology projects all present, the stage was set for two productive days of networking, problem solving and discussion. This article covers some of the main themes of the event.

Last week, IDTechEx Show! included a busy and varied track on a wide variety of 3D printing technologies, materials innovations and applications. Rachel Gordon, Technology Analyst at IDTechEx, has picked out some highlights.

Two of the leading names in thermoplastic filament manufacturing have formed a powerful partnership, hoping to play an essential role in the industry. There are now over 300,000 thermoplastic extrusion printers in the world, with a total annual filament market of $250m in 2015.

Last week IDTechEx organized its annual US event in Santa Clara, California. With eight parallel conferences and more than 200 exhibitors, the event has a unique format to cover various technology trends. Here are some pictures of what was on display at the show.

Elon Musk recently announced the use of silicon by Tesla in its automotive batteries: "This is just sort of a baby step in the direction of using silicon in the anode, but we will be increasing the use". This unusual side comment has nonetheless triggered renewed interested in the topic.

Commercialization of solid-state battery indicates a new era for the US $135bn addressable battery market in a decade. IDTechEx Research forecasts that the market for solid-state batteries will exceed $4bn in 2026.

IDTechEx are hosting a free webinar on Tuesday 1 December 2015.

In anticipation of 3D Printing USA 2015, IDTechEx Technology Analyst, Rachel Gordon, interviewed the founder of Divergent Microfactories, Kevin Czinger, about his company and their 3D printed supercar, The Blade, which will be exhibited next week at the Santa Clara Convention Centre.

True to its name, the IDTechEx report, Autonomous Vehicles Land, Water, Air 2015-2035 gives the full picture. Here we share some of the latest entries as it is continuously updated to reflect the rapid progress in this sector.

Flexible electronic devices are starting to experience significant proliferation, with more and more devices with innovative form factors being brought to market, from small components such as disposable sensors that have been in the market for quite some time now, all the way to new flexible smart phones currently being demonstrated by consumer electronics giants like Samsung and LG.

Organo-lead halide perovskite materials, commonly used in high-efficiency perovskite solar cells, are materials that can easily decompose in moisture conditions. They cannot survive even for one day without proper encapsulation.

It is a no brainer. The ultimate vehicle by land water and air is independent in performance of task and in provision of its motive power.

IDTechEx have brought together thought leaders and industry experts to explore a wide range of technologies and applications, the opportunities and the challenges, so we can work together to grow the industry.

The market for electric vehicles is growing rapidly while existing electric parts are multiplying.

Wireless power prevents your phone or wearable dying in only a few hours: energy harvesting was not good enough.

Energy independent electric vehicles exist today and there is a multi-billion dollar opportunity for their new technology as it cascades down into all vehicles, land, water and air. The new report from analysts IDTechEx is a world first in revealing this exciting future for component and system suppliers, product integrators and system integrators.

Interfacing with machines undergoes a constant evolution, allowing for wider adoption of computing devices over time, as interaction becomes more "natural". According to IDTechEx Research, smartglasses are bringing about the next big step in this ever-changing space.

Energy harvesting is a term that now encompasses creating microwatts to megawatts of off-grid electricity using ambient energy such as heat, light, wind and waves. That means big business for those seeing the big picture.

IDTechEx are hosting a free webinar on Tuesday 10 November 2015.

Today's emerging technologies are varied, vast - and moving at the blink of an eye. Here are the top 10 key trends we'll see at the show that are changing the way the world lives, works and plays.

The transparent conductive film industry will nearly be a $430 million industry in 2015, according to the IDTechEx Research report Transparent Conductive Films (TCF) 2015-2025: Forecasts, Markets, Technologies. This is counting the value of the entire un-patterned film, and excluding markets based on glass (most thin film PV and LCD displays).

Quantum dots have been developed since the early 80's but it is only recently that they made an appearance in consumer products such as TVs and tablet computers. IDTechEx Research has published a new market report on quantum dots titled Quantum Dots 2016-2026: Applications, Markets, Manufacturers, and as part of this study we have looked at their impact on the display industry. Is this the technology that will enable LCD to rival OLED?

The graphene industry is at a critical juncture for many small to medium sized companies: it is time for them to generate revenues and pre-empt any pending cash flow issues. These companies cannot often afford to take the long view, which many research groups and government are rightly taking.

The year to 2015 will be the first time that companies have achieved over a billion dollars in revenue from individual wearable technology product lines.

At IDTechEx's forthcoming event, Electric Vehicles: Everything is Changing, taking place in Santa Clara on Nov 18-19, there will be many presentations on the next wave of battery technology for electric vehicles.

Europeans won the Nobel Prize for their work on graphene but they are not necessarily winning on the commercial front. In fact, it is the Chinese who might overtake them.

Scouting the market for energy harvesting for almost 7 years now has allowed IDTechEx significant insight into the markets for the technologies, the potential applications and their prospects for growth.

John Kopera, Vice President Corporate Operations of Sion Power says Sion has long been known for Li-S technology but we are more than that. We are the protected lithium metal battery company; the Licerion rechargeable battery company.

Printed Electronics USA 2015 is the largest event in the world on printed, flexible and organic electronics and all its applications, with over 200 exhibitors and 3000 attendees expected. See and learn new things, understand what end users want and discover your opportunities at this international event drawing attendees from 47 countries.

IDTechEx are hosting a free webinar on Thursday 5 November 2015.

Advanced microelectronics are moving on from the Moore's Law era to be More-than-Moore. Denser chips have higher internal and external clock rates, and higher power dissipation.

Jetting binder on layers of plastic powder was originally developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1993. This binder-on-powder process was the first to be known as 3D Printing technology.