Research Articles

IDTechEx forecasts that the critical material recovery market value will exceed US$66 billion per year by 2046, as demand, waste volume, and regulatory pressures all grow. Lithium-ion batteries and rare earth magnets are set to become key secondary sources of critical materials, as commercially mature recycling technology capacity scales in anticipation of growing waste volume becoming available in the 2030's.

Solid-state batteries (SSBs) are maturing into early deployment, and with that maturity comes a practical question: what happens at end of life? Recycling is an important starting point for thinking about sustainability and materials security in SSBs, but it is only a small piece of a much larger transition. This article outlines why recycling matters, where it sits in the bigger picture, and how the IDTechEx report "Solid State Batteries 2026-2036: Technology, Forecasts, Players" can guide decisions beyond circularity alone.

As the demand for sustainable, high-performance ingredients continues to grow, specialty chemicals are emerging as a critical focus area in the chemical industry's transition to greener, more precise manufacturing. Unlike commodity chemicals, which are produced in high volumes and valued for their scale, specialty chemicals are defined by their function, purity, and compliance with rigorous performance or regulatory standards. These chemicals are essential to a wide range of products, from food and cosmetics to catalysts and coatings, and their production presents both technical challenges and commercial opportunity.

As AI workloads continue to scale, thermal management has become one of the most critical and costly elements of data center infrastructure. The cost analysis of server cooling components highlights an important reality: while cold plates often receive the most attention, they represent only a fraction of the total thermal system cost. The true economic picture emerges when server-level cooling is aggregated to the rack and facility level.

Join IDTechEx Principal Technology Analyst Dr Tess Skyrme on Thursday 8th January for this 30-minute webinar, where she will overview three exciting sensor technology innovations: AI, Quantum, and Nanocarbons.

Rare earth magnets, advanced coatings, and aerogels, are just a few of the technologies researched and included in IDTechEx's portfolio of Advanced Materials & Critical Minerals Research Reports.

The telecommunications industry is contemplating a problem it hasn't faced before, a lack of growth. As reported by IDTechEx "6G Market 2026-2036: Technology, Trends, Forecasts, Players", YoY growth rates in global wireless traffic have been on a downward trend since 2020 (albeit still exhibiting growth). As the industry continues to lay the groundwork for the CAPEX-intensive shift to 6G, could various manifestations of AI offer a pathway to renewed growth?

This article gives an overview of the mechanisms by which self-healing occurs, an insight into the trade-offs between different mechanisms, and the key applications adopting self-healing materials, including a look to the long-term future of these materials.

IDTechEx analyst Conrad Nichols summarises the latest progress of Redox Flow batteries.

The article explains some of the benefits that adoption of new advanced coating technologies can bring. This can come both in terms of higher performance, as well as supporting both direct and indirect regulatory compliance. These benefits can be brought to several industries, such as automotive, oil & gas, aerospace, construction and wind energy.

Bipolar plates are a key component of PEM fuel cells, providing structural support and carrying out a major role in the power generating electrochemical reaction. This article discusses the materials consideration for plates, which can be made from metal or graphite/graphitic composite.

With the ever-increasing need for heat dissipation, high-performance thermal interface materials (TIMs) with higher thermal conductivity and other properties are becoming essential. Driven by this trend, a number of high-performance TIMs are emerging. This article primarily introduces the advantages and drawbacks of advanced carbon-based TIMs. However, it is worth noting that many other TIMs offer superior performance. For a holistic view of the TIM industry, please refer to IDTechEx's research report, "Thermal Interface Materials 2026-2036: Technologies, Markets and Forecasts".

Supercapacitors are energy storage devices that offer distinct properties when compared to batteries. Supercapacitors have higher power density and lower energy density than batteries. They also have a significantly larger cycle lifetime, in the tens of thousands, which enables them to undergo frequent charge-discharge cycles without degradation. This allows them to perform in applications where batteries are not appropriate. IDTechEx covers supercapacitors in detail in its recent report: "Supercapacitors 2026-2036: Technologies, Applications and Forecasts".

Thermal management has an imperative role to play in the landscape of advancing modern technologies. This article explores applications from high-performance computing and data centers to advanced batteries in electric vehicles.

Graphene is a material that has received significant attention and hype, with its commercial adoption to date more of a material push than a market pull, as a killer application is sought. Bulk applications are being validated and will see uptake in the future, but this article outlines how short-term adoption will be led by consumer products, particularly those in the prosumer / luxury category.

IDTechEx analyst Dr Xiaoxi He covers solid-state battery technologies and their outlook.

The climate crisis demands diversity in decarbonization solutions. From CCUS (carbon capture, utilization, and storage) to renewable electricity from wind and solar power, many green technologies must grow in tandem. In this article, IDTechEx explores how electrochemical technologies could redefine carbon capture as an energy asset.

In recent years, optical transceiver technology has been steadily shifting toward placing the optics closer to the ASIC. Many in the industry expect the transition to progress directly toward fully integrated solutions such as co-packaged optics. IDTechEx's new report "Co-Packaged Optics (CPO) 2026-2036: Technologies, Market, and Forecasts" examines this transition in detail.

The transition to 800V EVs is one which affects the whole powertrain, including the power electronics. In IDTechEx's report, Power Electronics for Electric Vehicles 2026-2036: Technologies, Markets, and Forecasts, these trends are analysed and used to forecast the adoption of wide bandgap semiconductors SiC and GaN, as well as the entire power electronics market for electric vehicles (EV).

As the demand for clean green hydrogen grows, electrolyser demand will grow in tandem. This article details which electrolyser components will seize market value based on adoption of different electrolyser technology solutions.

IDTechEx analyst Mika Takahashi assesses non terrestrial networks in this IDTechEx video.

Drones have transitioned from experimental tools into essential infrastructure across agriculture, logistics, energy, security, and public-sector operations. According to the newly released IDTechEx report "Drones Market 2026-2036: Technologies, Markets, and Opportunities", the global drone market, including consumer, commercial, and defense platforms, is projected to grow from approximately US$69 billion in 2026 to US$147.8 billion by 2036, corresponding to a 7.9% CAGR.

BYD's recent disclosure via its FinDreams Battery website marks a visible inflection point for solid-state batteries (SSBs): the technology is moving from quiet development into structured demonstration timelines and supply-chain repositioning, with distinct materials choices that diverge from other leading OEM routes. This momentum, alongside public road tests and pilot-line progress across the US, Europe, and Asia, suggests SSBs are entering early deployment while broader automotive integration is targeted later this decade.

This article covers the use of self-healing and sustainable materials in infrastructure and vehicle manufacturing, and how they may promote environmental awareness, safety, and lowered long-term costs.

This article highlights the materials opportunities across quantum computing, quantum sensing, and quantum communications, dividing them into three materials platforms: superconducting chips, photonics (including PICs), and nanomaterials.

IDTechEx analyst Dr Jack Howley covers the critical material recovery market, concluding that over 8 million tons of critical materials will be recovered per year by 2046.

The rise of the Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) is transforming not only passenger cars but also the commercial vehicle industry, which is reshaping how trucks, vans, and specialty vehicles are designed, operated, and maintained.

IDTechEx forecasts that the global sensor market will reach $250B in annual revenue by 2036, as global mega-trends in AI, future mobility, wearables, edge computing, and automation drive renewed growth opportunities. Next generation sensor technology innovations in quantum sensors, ADAS sensors, image sensors, MEMS, photonic integrated circuits, and printed sensor markets will be key to realizing the highest growth opportunities over the next decade.

The reliability of high-tech, miniaturized technologies is something easily assumed, but could they be reaching their peak? The looming presence of recent solar flare activity impacting communications is a reminder of the large and ever-present phenomenon of outer space, and could mean preparing for the return of communication-by-pigeon.

The sensitivity and unmatched performance of quantum technologies is allowing for great advancements across a number of major sectors, including sensors, computing, and communication. This article explores a few of the recent developments and applications within commercial sectors.

The global RFID market continues to expand, with IDTechEx forecasting growth from US$15.6 billion in 2025 to US$23 billion by 2036. and associated software and services across both passive and active technologies. Drawing on insights from IDTechEx's latest research study, "RFID 2026-2036: Forecasts, Players and Opportunities", this article provides a high-level overview of the market outlook and examines regional trends across the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa.

Join IDTechEx Senior Technology Analyst Dr Shababa Selim for this 30-minute webinar, where she will be sharing insights from the brand-new market report "Low-Loss Materials for 5G/6G, Radar, and High-Speed Digital 2026-2036: Markets, Trends, and Forecasts".

Functionality is at the heart of in-mold electronics - a technology concerned with creating seamlessly integrated electronic functions into hardware, particularly within automotive interiors. This article covers the latest innovations within IME and the role it can play in the automotive sector.

Join IDTechEx Senior Technology Analyst Conrad Nichols for this 30-minute webinar, which examines key applications for RFBs, the advantages of the technology to be leveraged, and provides an update on the global flow batteries market.

Despite a year of critical material supply disruptions, technology mega-trends in decarbonization, electrification, automation and AI continue to fuel demand for high-performance rare earth magnets. IDTechEx forecasts that rare earth magnet demand will reach 332 ktpa by 2036 and breaks down usage and adoption trends in electric vehicles, wind turbines, and robotics growth markets.

IDTechEx, along with many other industry experts, are expecting robotaxis to become a common sight in major cities over the next twenty years. The business case for robotaxis, although not without its obstacles, is compelling. However, in the meantime, there will still be billions of privately owned vehicles on the roads. This article considers the case for autonomous private vehicles and the software market: from adaptive cruise control to true autonomy, everywhere.