IDTechEx

Can 3D printing scale-up to mass production?

This was a strong theme of day 2 of the conference at Euromold 2015.

TOTO Europe (photocatalysis coating)

TOTO Europe is a subsidiary of TOTO (Japan). The Hydrotect technology is a self-cleaning coating for building materials such as ceramic tiles. When used on outdoor surfaces and exposed to ultraviolet light, either from the sun or an artificial source, the photocatalytic surface generates a reaction that cleans the material surface by decomposing organic and by oxidizing NOx into less harmful substance. It can also be used for indoor surfaces to reduce the spread of bacteria and eliminate bad odours.

Progress towards vehicles that could run forever

Forget the obsession with driverless autonomous cars; energy independent vehicles are the megatrend. Electric land vehicles, boats, underwater craft and aircraft already exist that never plug in or refuel.

New cathode material for sodium ion batteries

An international team of scientists led by the inventor of the lithium ion battery has put forward a new cathode material for its potential successor, the sodium ion battery.

Wildcat Discovery Technologies

Wildcat Discovery Technologies is a materials R&D company located in San Diego, California. Wildcat is focused on the discovery of advanced materials for lithium-ion batteries, with secondary work on variety of other applications. Wildcat scientists use proprietary state-of-the-art high throughput technology to synthesize and test thousands of battery materials, each fully formulated and tested in actual cells. Wildcat collaborates with industry leaders around the world to develop promising new materials for new and promising rechargeable and primary battery technologies.

Printing Electronics onto 3D Surfaces

Video interview with Neotech AMT at 3D Printing Europe.

Meeting of Japan Energy Harvesting Consortium September 25 2015

As energy harvesting becomes a different and much more noticed subject, IDTechEx monitors the situation by intensive visits to many events, companies and universities. The meeting of the Japan Energy Harvesting Consortium September 2015 was certainly revealing.

Inspiration should not be tempered by fabrication

The opening keynote of the Euromold conference was given by Jeff Kowalski, Chief Technology Officer of Autodesk.

Artega Scalo electric sports car

The Artega Scalo with a purely electric drive is the direct successor of the Artega GT, which inspired car fans around the world.

Star Prototype

Star Prototype are a 3D printing service bureau in China catering to the domestic and foreign markets.

SinterIt

Following the expiration of a key SLS patent, Sinterit have a developed a low-cost SLS machine for {#euro}7000 targeting designers and architects, due to start shipping in early 2016.

Flexible sensors come to market thanks to tens of millions investment

Large investments have been made to enable flexible, thin sensors rather than rigid sensors.

Thermal interface materials: Technologies and markets

Overheating is the most critical issue in the computer industry. IDTechEx Research has assessed the needs, progress and opportunities to combat this in the report "Thermal Interface Materials 2015-2025".

Small electric vehicles $33 billion market

Small manned electric vehicles - e-bikes to car-like micro EVs - often sell in the largest numbers. Although they are usually lower in cost than regular cars, they will reach over $33 billion in 2026 according to IDTechEx analysis.

Less than 8% Exhibit Space left at Printed Electronics USA

Join the world's largest event on Printed Electronics, where users come together with suppliers to do business. Speakers include brands such as Coca-Cola, Colgate Palmolive, Bayer Healthcare, United Technologies, Qualcomm, DARPA and over 200 more.

Wearable Applications for Flexible Circuits: Nike Fuel Band and more..

Interview with Flexible Circuit Technologies at IDTechEx Wearable Europe.

Visualizing the 3D printing landscape

The 3D printing industry is still going from strength to strength. According to the IDTechEx report 3D Printing 2015-2025: Technologies, Markets, Players this industry is set to grow from $1bn in 2012 to $20bn in 2025.

Perovskite photovoltaics excitement

Perovoskite photovoltaics promises over 20% efficiency, low cost materials and even flexible, transparent and stretchable versions dearly needed for new applications. Record power to weight ratio is needed for the electric vehicle end game, the land vehicles, boats and aircraft described in the IDTechEx report, Energy Independent Vehicles 2016-2026.

Optoforce Ltd

Optoforce are a Hungarian company making multidirectional force sensors for robotics. The system is based on a layered silicone dome structure, with an internal optical sensor to measure deformation of the dome. This can be used to compute motion data in 3 or 6 axes (x,y,z + rotational). They system enables soft robotic systems, as shown by many of their partners.

Outlook on fuel cell technologies for automotive applications

Being the automotive sector a trillion dollar market and given the existence of multiple low carbon powertrain technologies and sunk investments in specific powertrains technologies, the possibility of "betting on the wrong horse" makes the transition to low carbon vehicles a very risky process for incumbent automotive companies (global automotive manufacturers and their tier one suppliers). Through these technology developments these incumbent companies are primarily trying to maintain or increase their captured added value of the automotive value chain and their global sales market share. For new entrants with no existing interests, the risks are lower given they are not compelled to capture most of the value of the powertrain technology, giving them the possibility of sharing it with other parts of the value chain (suppliers, technology developers etc.)