IDTechEx

Lithium-ion Batteries That Last Longer in Extreme Cold

When temperatures fall below freezing, cellphones need to be recharged frequently, and electric cars have shorter driving ranges. This is because their lithium-ion batteries' anodes get sluggish, holding less charge and draining energy quickly. To improve electrical performance in the extreme cold, researchers have replaced the traditional graphite anode in a lithium-ion battery with a bumpy carbon-based material, which maintains its rechargeable storage capacity down to -31 F.

TotalEnergies Corbion PLA

TotalEnergies Corbion are a PLA manufacturer. IDTechEx spoke with TotalEnergies Corbion at the Renewable Materials Conferences 2022.

Levidian

Levidian specialize in the production of graphene and hydrogen using microwave technology. IDTechEx spoke with Rebecca Zeitlin (Marketing Director) and Guy Downie (Director of Sales and Business Development).

Planetary Technologies

Planetary Technologies is a Canadian carbon removal start-up developing an electrochemical process that draws alkalinity from rocks to de-acidify ocean waters, sequestrating carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and producing hydrogen as a by-product. In May 2022, IDTechEx Technology Analyst Dr Hydra Rodrigues spoke to Jason Vallis, Vice-President of External Relations at Planetary Technologies.

Metis Engineering

Tess Skyrme, Technology Analyst at IDTechEx, interviewed Joe Holdsworth, Founder of Metis Engineering, about its latest sensor for electric vehicle battery monitoring.

E-Nose Sniffs Out Mixtures of Volatile Organic Compounds

As paint thinner, ink and adhesives dry, they can release volatile organic compounds, which can negatively impact health. Typically, one of those VOCs is xylene, which exists as three isomers with the same elements but slightly different arrangements. Because the isomers are so similar, they're hard to monitor separately. Now, researchers have developed an electric nose with porous metal-organic framework films that can accurately distinguish xylene isomer mixtures.

Conversion Efficiency of 32.65% in Flexible, Lightweight Solar

Sharp Corporation has achieved a conversion efficiency of 32.65%, the world's highest, in a lightweight, flexible, practically sized solar module developed as part of the "Research and Development of Solar Cells for Use in Vehicles" project.

Air Quality Monitoring: Not Just an Urban Concern?

Air quality concerns are on the rise globally, with urban pollution the dominant cause. However, radon accumulation and unpleasant aromas are often bigger problems in rural locations, creating opportunities for gas sensors that offer continuous monitoring and even odor categorization.

Swap2drivE

Swap2drivE is an electric mobility concept based on the battery swapping technology created by Jacques De Kegel. IDTechEx spoke to Jacques and discussed the concept, along with general opportunities and challenges brought forth by swapping.

SAFI-Tech New Supercooled Soldering Technology

Soldering technology is thousands of years old, but is still an essential component in electronics assembly, without which none of our advanced electronic devices would function. Though the soldering process has seen some refinement in modern times, it is still accomplished by heating the soldering metal alloy to its molten state and applying the metal hot at contact points to create a conductive solder joint.

Helian Polymers BV

Helian Polymers develops PHA-based materials and helps businesses develop these into PHA-based products

The Increasing Demand for Service Robots in Logistics and Cleaning

IDTechEx outlines two of the most exciting applications in the service robotics world and analyzes the key technological highlights.

Sponge-Like Solar Cells Could be Basis for Better Pacemakers

In a new study, scientists find that holes can improve technology, including medical devices. The study describes an entirely new way to make a solar cell: by etching holes in the top layer to make it porous. The innovation could form the basis for a less-invasive pacemaker, or similar medical devices. It could be paired with a small light source to reduce the size of the bulky batteries that are currently implanted along with today's pacemakers.

Smooth & Sharp (S&S) Corporation Teletento

Smooth & Sharp manufactures smart cards (typically contactless versions) and RFID products.

Solinftec Expands New AgTech Robot in Canada

Solinftec will expand the launch of its new cutting edge AgTech robotic platform, Solix Ag Robotics, into Canada in partnership with Stone Farms and the University of Saskatchewan. The new technology aims to provide farmers and agronomists a new level of information to increase yields, improve the usage of inputs, lower environmental impact, and support the global demand for food supply. The goal is to have the robot commercially available for the 2023 season for wheat crops.

Geespace Successfully Launches First Nine Satellites

Geespace, a wholly owned subsidiary of Geely Technology Group and China's first privately owned developer, operator, and mass producer of low-orbit commercial satellites, has successfully launched its first nine satellites into low earth orbit from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center.

3D Printed High-End Garments, Bespoke Accessories and Luxury Goods

On display now at Milan Design Week is the SSYS 2Y22 Reflection Collection. Created using the new Stratasys J850 TechStyle 3D printer, this Stratasys created and curated collection was made possible through close collaboration with seven design groups and includes exclusive dresses and suits, daywear, lighting, luxury packaging, cosmetics, handbags, accessories, footwear and more.

VividQ

VividQ is a Cambridge, UK-based firm which focuses on developing IP for computer-generated holography, both for software and optical engine hardware. Its method of generating holograms is efficient on common GPUs and its display solutions may be constructed from off-the-shelf hardware. The key use cases it targets are AR wearables and automotive HUDs.

3D Bioprinted Living Tissue Ear Implants Head to Clinical Trials

3DBio Therapeutics and the Microtia-Congenital Ear Deformity Institute announced they have conducted a human ear reconstruction using the AuriNovo implant, an investigational, patient-matched, 3D-bioprinted living tissue ear implant. The groundbreaking reconstructive procedure in the first-in-human Phase 1/2a clinical trial is evaluating the safety and preliminary efficacy for patients with microtia, a rare congenital deformity where one or both outer ears are absent or underdeveloped.

World First Autonomous Transoceanic Voyage of a Large Merchant Ship

Avikus, a subsidiary of HD Hyundai, has successfully carried out autonomous navigation of a large ship across the ocean, becoming the first company in the world to accomplish such a feat. In this ocean crossing, the Prism Couragr equipped with HiNAS 2.0 was operated autonomously on the optimal routes, increasing the fuel efficiency by around 7 percent while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by about 5 percent. Also, the system accurately recognized the locations of nearby ships during operation to avoid collision about 100 times.