Advanced Materials

In the recently published IDTechEx market report titled Fiber Lasers 2018-2028: Technologies, Opportunities, Markets & Forecasts, Dr Nilushi Wijeyasinghe explores how recent fiber laser technology developments affect the growth of key market segments.

In this premium article we will discuss the key technological and business trends shaping the dynamics of existing and emerging applications areas. This will be useful article for anyone interested in the conductive ink business

Maxphotonics are a fiber laser manufacturer and are one of the key players in China.

IPG Photonics are the global leader of the fiber laser market. IDTechEx first had a discussion with IPG Photonics at Laser Manufacturing of Lightweight Structures 2017 (UK) in November 2017. This was followed by a second extended meeting at SPIE Photonics West 2018 (USA) in January 2018 and an interview in June 2018.

JPT are a fiber laser manufacturer and are one of the key players in China. IDTechEx had a discussion with JPT at SPIE Photonics West 2018 (USA).

TRUMPF are a manufacturer of machine tools and industrial laser systems; some of their products are fiber lasers. IDTechEx had discussions with TRUMPF at SPIE Photonics West 2018 (USA) and LASYS 2018 (Germany).

Wuhan Raycus are a fiber laser manufacturer and are one of the key players in China.

Novae are a fiber laser manufacturer. IDTechEx first had a discussion with Novae at SPIE Photonics West 2018 in January 2018; this was followed by a full interview in March 2018. The company specializes in ultrafast pulsed fiber lasers and supercontinuum generation. Applications include chemical sensing, medical imaging and micromachining.

Cybel are a fiber laser manufacturer and a distributor of photonic systems manufactured by partner companies. IDTechEx first had a discussion with Cybel at SPIE Photonics West 2018 in January 2018; this was followed by a full interview in February 2018. The company specializes in fiber lasers and fiber amplifiers for gas sensing and scientific applications.

NP Photonics are a fiber laser manufacturer. IDTechEx first had a discussion with NP Photonics at SPIE Photonics West 2018 in January 2018; this was followed by a full interview in March 2018. The company specializes in fiber lasers for a variety of sensing applications.

Convergent are a laser manufacturer who produce fiber, Nd:YAG and CO2 lasers. IDTechEx first had a discussion with Convergent at SPIE Photonics West 2018 in January 2018; this was followed by a full interview in March 2018. The company specializes in multi-kilowatt fiber lasers for material processing applications.

Lumibird are a laser manufacturer. IDTechEx first had a discussion with Keopsys Quantel at SPIE Photonics West 2018 in January 2018; this was followed by a full interview in March 2018. The company specializes in fiber lasers for sensing, healthcare and scientific applications. Quantel also offer a small range of fiber lasers for marking applications.

MWTech are a fiber laser manufacturer. IDTechEx first had a discussion with MWTech at SPIE Photonics West 2018 in January 2018; this was followed by a full interview in March 2018. The company specializes in fiber lasers and fiber amplifiers for LiDAR and material processing applications

SPI Lasers are a fiber laser manufacturer and are a key player. IDTechEx first had a discussion with SPI Lasers at SPIE Photonics West 2018 in January 2018; this was followed by a full interview in March 2018. The company specialize in fiber lasers for material processing applications.

Researchers have demonstrated large-scale fabrication of a new type of transparent conductive electrode film based on nanopatterned silver. Smartphone touch screens and flat panel televisions use transparent electrodes to detect touch and to quickly switch the color of each pixel. Because silver is less brittle and more chemically resistant than materials currently used to make these electrodes, the new films could offer a high-performance and long-lasting option for use with flexible screens and electronics.

3D printing of composite parts, specifically fiber reinforced polymers, is a rapidly emerging field. Arevo have created the world's first true 3D-printed carbon fiber bicycle.

At the IDTechEx Show! Europe, Silent Sensors introduced a new supercapacitor that is very flexible and able to withstand high temperatures, which is necessary for tire manufacture and production.

The Battery Show is one of the largest events around the world on energy storage for electric vehicles, which is held annually in Novi, MI.

A major frontier in the conductive ink business is conformal coating on 3D-shaped objects. For the purposes of this article, we will divide this into two categories: aerosol-deposited 3D-shaped antennas and conformal on-chip EMI shielding.

The previous article looked at material opportunities for thermal management and this article looks at the additional componentry.