TyroMotion GmbH (AT)

Funds to develop self-powered prosthetic limb technology

Representative Glenn Thompson, R-Howard, announced the Department of Defense Appropriations measure includes $2 million in Research, Test, Development, and Evaluation funds for KCF Technologies to further develop and commercialize self-powered prosthetic limb technology.

Glitter-sized photovoltaics could revolutionize how energy is used

Tiny cells developed by Sandia National Laboratories scientists could turn a person into a walking solar battery charger if they were fastened to flexible substrates molded around unusual shapes, such as clothing.

Fund of Fund managers for UK Innovation Investment Fund

The UK Government has announced the appointment, subject to contract, of Hermes Private Equity and the European Investment Fund (EIF) as fund-of-fund managers for the UK Innovation Investment Fund (UKIIF).

Power Paper and GE collaborate to develop self-powered OLED lighting

Power Paper and GE Global Research, the technology development arm for the General Electric Company have signed an agreement to jointly develop self-powered OLED lighting devices. Using low-cost, high volume manufacturing processes, these devices could be deployed in a wide variety of environments from military ships to night-time jogging vests.

Printed electronics to control flexible displays

Screens and display elements in mobile phones, e-readers for electronic books and measuring devices are now well-established features of our networked world. To make the manufacture of these mobile mass displays more cost effective, organic electronics is providing technical solutions, including flexible control circuits.

Brewer Science and SouthWest NanoTechnologies $6.5M NIST TIP award

Brewer Science,® Inc., and SouthWest NanoTechnologies, Inc. (SWeNT), have received a $6.5M award under NIST's Technology Innovation Program (TIP). The funding is in support of research and development programs that focus upon methodologies to attain the cost-effective production of high-purity, high-quality metallic and semiconducting carbon nanotube (CNT) inks. These advancements will enable production of a wide variety of high-performing electronic devices incorporating CNTs.

Panasonic Corp to take majority control of Sanyo Electric Co

Panasonic Corp. has announced that it will take majority control of Sanyo Electric Co. in a US$4.6 billion deal where Panasonic said it will buy 50.2 per cent of Sanyo for 403.78 billion yen ($4.6 billion) after closing its five-week tender offer which began on the 5th November.

Energy generating pavement

Pavegen Systems Limited is looking for ways to tap into the energy of moving crowds. For example the thousands of people passing through subway stations, schools and airports could contribute to generating electricity to run the lighting, barrier systems, revolving doors and ticketing systems used in these locations.

CONTACT researches the use of carbon nanotubes in various applications

The demands placed on new, high-tech materials are continually increasing, and existing material systems are reaching their limits. Due to their exceptional electrical and mechanical properties, carbon nanotubes offer high potential for use in diverse applications.

Race for color video e-readers

The e-reader is a killer application involving printed electronics. Despite costing more than an i-Pod, the Amazon Kindle achieved 500,000 unit sales in its first year of trading last year and now we are talking of millions. The i-Pod, an iconic success, only achieved 300,000 unit sales in its first year of trading.

Copenhagen Wheel harvests cyclist's energy

On the 15th December at the Copenhagen Conference on Climate Change, MIT researchers introduced the Copenhagen Wheel — a revolutionary new bicycle wheel that not only boosts power, but can keep track of friends, fitness, smog and traffic.

What you can expect from Printed Electronics in 2010

As we enter the New Year IDTechEx look back and summarises some of the main global trends in 2009 and gives some predictions, and indeed areas of opportunity, for the New Year.

More efficient way of harvesting electrical power from wasted heat

The need to get rid of excess heat creates a major source of inefficiency in everything from computer processor chips to car engines to electric power plants. But new research points the way to a technology that might make it possible to harvest much of that wasted heat and turn it into usable electricity.

So-Light project for OLED displays and special lighting released

So-Light project for OLED displays and special lighting released

Dance power for mobile phones

Orange commissioned the research into a kinetic energy portable phone charger that would harness the energy created by festival revellers dancing to their favourite bands to ensure a clean and renewable energy source.

Solar balloons

Unlike many solar systems that require large amounts of heavy, expensive materials, Cool Earth Solar's inflated CPV technology is primarily made of ordinary thin-film plastic and air.

Printed buttons with feeling - haptic touch

The technical term is haptic touch. It refers to printed buttons that regain the interactive feeling of the old fashioned keyboard.

The Missing Link for Energy Harvesting Applications

Linear Technology Corp., one of the leading manufacturers of high-performance analog integrated circuits (ICs), has launched the LTC3108, a step-up DC/DC converter designed to interface with thermoelectric devices, such as thermoelectric generators (TEGs), thermopiles and small solar cells.

Breakthrough in li-ion battery technology

Nexeon - a company formed following a breakthrough discovery made at Imperial College London - has revealed its plans to commercialise lithium-ion battery technology, a development which will lead to batteries with significantly higher energy density and longer lifetime between charges.

Using a-Si TFTs for AMOLED displays: Progress from Ignis

For LCDs, TFTs are only charging and discharging a capacitor (that is effectively what an LCD is electrically). Once the capacitor is charged the TFT can be switched off and the display continues to function.