IDTechEx

Researchers Put Proximity Tracing App to the Test

Over the past two weeks, EPFL computer scientists have been testing and refining the smartphone-based system developed by the international Decentralized Privacy-Preserving Proximity Tracing project (DP3T), with the help of the Swiss Army. Their goal: to optimize the app's ability to alert users after they've been in contact with someone contagious with COVID-19, while building trust around the open system.

European Grid Operators Launch Flexible Blockchain Platform

Some of Europe's biggest Transmission System Operators are collaborating on a new blockchain-based platform, enabling the integration of small and distributed consumer-based units into the electricity-balancing process.

Fans See Their Football Heroes Clearly for the First Time

Two young visually-impaired Southampton fans have been given life-changing wearable technology by Virgin Media that will enable them to watch their beloved Saints in a way they've never experienced before.

Component Carrier Now Replacing Flexible PCBs

Flexible circuit boards offer numerous advantages. However, the mechanical fixation of these circuit boards is highly complex. HARTING has developed a new solution based on 3D-MID technology that is capable of replacing flexible circuit boards. Thanks to component carriers, cost savings of up to two-thirds can be achieved.

AerNos

AerNos have developed the first commercially available gas sensor based on functionalised carbon nanotubes. We regularly interview AerNos to follow up the new development

Palomar Technologies

Palomar provides automated die attach, wire bonding and vacuum reflow equipment. With the advent of 5G, Palomar foresee a rise in the use of Ag sintering for RF GaN devices in 5G infrastructure.

McLaren Automotive

McLaren Automotive manufacture some of the best sportscars and supercars in the world. However, their approach to hybrid and fully electric cars has been slower than some competitors.

Personalised Nutrition Smart Patch to Reduce Diabetes Risk

A wearable smart patch will deliver precision data to help people personalise their diets and reduce their risk of developing lifestyle-related chronic diseases like Type 2 diabetes.

Innovative Patch may Soon be Used to Monitor Coronavirus Patients 24/7

A Belgian consortium of seven medical and technological companies has developed an innovative patch that is applied to the chest. The patch allows continuous, remote, wireless monitoring of coronavirus patients' respiration, heart rate and soon also temperature. The system will be able to send the recorded levels to the patients' general practitioner or specialist and also has an alert feature like the red button by a hospital bed.

Ford, Lincoln Cancel Plans for Rivian Powered Electric Vehicle

In January, the Lincoln Motor Company announced that it was working together with Rivian to develop an all-new electric vehicle previously announced as part of Ford Motor Company's original investment in Rivian.

3-D MID

3-D MID is a German research association for 3D molded interconnect devices.

What You Should Know About Micro-LED Displays

From mobile phones, TVs, to cars and public screens, displays have become an important component in our daily life to convey information. There is an emerging display type — micro-LED display, that has the potential to become the next-generation mainstream, with its ability to be fabricated from tiny to huge sizes.

Fighting The COVID-19 Fire With Molecular Diagnostics Innovations

The need for universal and massive testing across the population has led to a race for technology innovations for COVID-19 diagnostics.

MetaOptima

MetaOptima is a digital health tech company focused on dermatology. Its technology, a smartphone app and online platform, enables the tracking and mapping of moles on users' skin in order to predict and prevent skin cancer. The company offers two products designed to enhance standards of patient care while streamlining services for maximum efficiency: DermEngine and MoleScope.

SkinVision

SkinVision has developed a smartphone app that allows users to understand their risk factors for skin cancer (including melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma and precancerous actinic keratosis). It enables users to detect skin cancer at an early stage as well as to keep track of their moles over time in order to monitor their evolution. SkinVision does not formally provide a diagnosis, but instead a risk assessment and recommendation.

Leaf Expression Systems

Leaf Expression Systems is a biotechnology start-up based in Norwich, UK, that is developing plant-based systems for protein expression, as an alternative to traditional mammal cell and microbe-based expression systems. In March 2020, IDTechEx Technology Analyst Dr Michael Dent spoke with Leanne Williams, Business Development Manager, and Nicholas Holton, Principal R&D Scientist, at Leaf Expression Systems.

New Hybrid Material Improves Performance of Silicon Li-ion Batteries

Researchers have developed a new hybrid material of mesoporous silicon microparticles and carbon nanotubes that can improve the performance of silicon in Li-ion batteries.

VELO3D Raises $28 Million in Series D Funding Round

VELO3D has raised $28 million in a Series D funding round. New investors Piva and TNSC joined the round, along with existing investors Bessemer Investment Partners, Playground, and Khosla Ventures. This brings VELO3D's total funding to $138 million.

Solar Powered Hand Sanitiser

A start-up company that has repurposed upcycled solar cells to generate ultraviolet light to disinfect people's hands has won €20 000 in a hackathon designed to share and rapidly develop ideas to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

Power Gloves for Space Walks

Spacewalks are a risky business and wearing a spacesuit that protects against the vacuum outside our atmosphere is cumbersome. This glove is a mockup concept for astronauts that adds extra functions to the five fingers.