IDTechEx

Lynx — Q2 2022 Update

In November 2021, IDTechEx talked in detail to Lynx Reality's CEO, Stan Larroque, about the upcoming R-1 headset and its freeform catadioptric prism optics. Laval Virtual 2022 presented a chance to gain updates from the Parisian VR/MR startup and learn about the challenges faced by young companies in the XR industry.

AI Goggles Will Guide Medics in Emergencies

A research team will develop an artificial intelligence tool, Medical Assistance, Guidance, Instruction and Correction, or MAGIC, to assist combat field medics in 50 medical skills applied during common procedures.

Drones Can Help Dairy Farms Manage Methane Emissions

About 50% of the methane that California emits comes from dairy farms. In order to meet strict climate goals, the state has proposed ways to regulate dairy methane emissions. But these efforts run up against a big problem: There isn't currently a reliable way for dairy farmers to measure the amount of methane produced on their farm.

General Vibration — Synchronising Multiple Haptic Motors

IDTechEx had an interview with John Houston, President and CEO at General Vibration. General Vibration is a US-based IP licensing and technology development company working in the haptic actuator field.

New IDTechEx Report Explores the Future of Carbon Utilization

As mitigating the effects of climate change becomes one of the world's top priorities, carbon dioxide utilization (CO2U) technologies have been set forth as part of the solution.

AI Powered 3D Printed Hydroelectric Dam to be Built in Tibet

Chinese scientists are planning to build a hydroelectric plant on the Yangqu dam, according to reports, using unmanned excavators and equipment controlled by artificial intelligence and using the same additive manufacturing process of 3D printing.

Vale Confirms Supply Deal with Tesla for Low-Carbon Nickel

Vale has signed a long-term contract with Tesla Inc to supply Class 1 nickel in the United States from its operations in Canada. This agreement is in line with Vale's strategy to increase exposure to the electric vehicle industry.

Dispelix

Dispelix is a Finnish firm designing surface relief grating diffractive waveguides for consumer augmented reality devices. Unlike other companies' designs, they use a single waveguide layer for full RGB color — this helps to decrease weight but increases design complexity. Its in-house design software was developed specifically to solve this issue. The company is in the process of scaling production with its fab partners.

BNNano

BNNano are a company that manufacture boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) and NanoBarbs, their own adapted BNNTs. IDTechEx spoke with Steve Wilcenski (Founder and CEO).

BNNT Technology Limited

BNNT Technology Limited make high quality boron nitride nanotubes, using a unique manufacturing process. IDTechEx spoke with Mark Winfield (CEO).

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.

New Wearable Technology - For Plants

Plants can't speak up when they are thirsty. And visual signs, such as shriveling or browning leaves, don't start until most of their water is gone. To detect water loss earlier, researchers have created a wearable sensor for plant leaves. The system wirelessly transmits data to a smartphone app, allowing for remote management of drought stress in gardens and crops.

Anglo American Unveils Hydrogen Powered Mine Haul Truck

Anglo American unveils a prototype of the world's largest hydrogen-powered mine haul truck designed to operate in everyday mining conditions at its Mogalakwena PGMs mine in South Africa.

New Research to Minimise Impact of Wind Energy on Migratory Birds

The development of wind energy is expanding worldwide in an effort to limit greenhouse gas emissions and slow climate change. However, locations ideal for harvesting wind energy often overlap with wildlife concentrations, potentially leading to collisions and habitat loss. Researchers have found that data collected by weather radar networks could be used to reduce collisions and minimize habitat-related impacts of wind turbines on nocturnally migrating birds.

Laird Performance Materials: Thermal and EMI Materials for Radar

Laird are a major player in thermal management and EMI shielding materials. IDTechEx's contact with Laird focused on their materials for current and future radar designs in automotive applications.

Tactotek

In a recent webinar, Tactotek outlined how its in-mold structural electronics (IMSE) components can be utilized for smart surfaces and smart homes. This is a different target market to the often cited applications for in-mold electronics in the automotive and domestic appliance sectors.

Volkswagen and SEAT Mobilise 10 Billion Euros to Electrify Spain

The Volkswagen Group and SEAT SA will mobilise 10 billion euros, together with their partners in the Future: Fast Forward project, in the event of a positive resolution of the PERTE VEC. The Gigafactory will have an annual production capacity of 40 GWh, supplying the total volume of cells to Martorell and Pamplona. It will employ more than 3,000 people by 2030 and occupy an area of 200 hectares. Construction of the Gigafactory will begin in the first quarter of 2023, and production will start in 2026.

Ocean Harvesting Completes Testing of Infinity WEC

Ocean Harvesting has successfully completed the testing of a prototype in scale 1:10 of the power take-off and the control system for the wave energy converter InfinityWEC. The design, build and testing in the rig was part of a project co-financed by the Swedish Energy Agency.

2D Experimental Pilot Line to Test Graphene-Based Sensors

The 2D Experimental Pilot Line has launched its first customisable wafer run. As one of five multi-project wafer runs, this first phase targets sensor applications. Companies, universities and research institutes can include their designs as dies on joint wafers, to test their ideas for devices on a larger scale at relatively low costs.

Velo3D Qualifies Copper Alloy for Use in Sapphire Family of Printers

Velo3D Inc has qualified the copper-chromium-niobium alloy GRCop-42 for use in its Sapphire family of printers.