IDTechEx

Efficient Power Conversion: GaN FETs

EPC is a provider of power semiconductors using gallium nitride (GaN) technology. The key areas discussed with IDTechEx were the benefits of their GaN FETs (field-effect transistors) over the typical silicon MOSFETs (metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors) for applications such as LiDAR and for low voltage electric motors.

Velo3D Puts Manufacturing Capabilities to Work for Aerospace Company

Velo3D Inc announced Lockheed Martin is using Velo3D's end-to-end additive manufacturing solution for its Additive Design & Manufacturing Center, which pilots new additive manufacturing technologies for production deployments in Lockheed Martin's Space division.

GM and Glencore Enter Multi-Year Cobalt Supply Agreement

Glencore and General Motors Co.announced a multi-year sourcing agreement in which Glencore will supply GM with cobalt from its Murrin Murrin operation in Australia. Cobalt is an important metal in the production of EV batteries, and the cobalt processed from Australia will be used in GM's Ultium battery cathodes, which will power electric vehicles such as the Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC HUMMER EV and Cadillac LYRIQ.

Joystick-Operated Robot Could Help Surgeons Treat Stroke Remotely

Engineers have developed a telerobotic system to help surgeons quickly and remotely treat patients experiencing a stroke or aneurysm. With a modified joystick, surgeons in one hospital may control a robotic arm at another location to safely operate on a patient during a critical window of time that could save the patient's life and preserve their brain function.

Development of an Oxidation-Resistant Copper Core-Nickel Shell Ink

Scientists have developed a new conductive ink for use in printed electronics with significantly improved resistance to oxidation. After this ink is printed, it self-organizes into a conductive pattern with a copper core-nickel shell nanostructure. Use of this cheaper, more stable ink may help popularize printed electronics.

Artificial Intelligence can Grow a Lettuce Crop Autonomously

The five international teams participating in the final rounds of the 3rd Autonomous Greenhouse Challenge have completed the first try-out experiment. The teams tested their algorithms and gained experience during a first crop cycle with lettuce.

Mercedes-Benz Aims to Slash CO2 Emissions by More Than 50 Percent

As stated at the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in November 2021, Mercedes-Benz is committed to a faster transition to electric cars. The company aims to at least halve CO2 emissions per passenger car over the lifecycle by the end of this decade compared to 2020 levels.

World's First Quantum Dot LED Lights Developed from Rice Husks

Milling rice to separate the grain from the husks produces about 100 million tons of rice husk waste globally each year. Scientists searching for a scalable method to fabricate quantum dots have developed a way to recycle rice husks to create the first silicon quantum dot LED light. Their new method transforms agricultural waste into state-of-the-art light-emitting diodes in a low-cost, environmentally friendly way.

Ample

Ample, a startup established in 2014 and based out of San Francisco, is developing a modular battery swapping solution. The company is focusing on fleets, has integrated its modular batteries into nine vehicle models across five different automakers, and has five swapping stations across San Francisco. Ample's goal is to offer fully automated battery swaps in around ten minutes at small, self-contained swap stations.

RWE to Invest 1.5 Billion Euros by 2030 to Help Ireland Reach Net Zero

RWE is committed to investing €50 billion gross through to 2030 to expand its powerful and green generation capacity to 50 gigawatts, with up to €1.5 billion gross already earmarked for Ireland through current projects being developed.

Bioprinting for Bone Repair Improved with Genes

Given enough time and energy, the body will heal, but when doctors or engineers intervene, the processes do not always proceed as planned because chemicals that control and facilitate the healing process are missing. Now, an international team of engineers is bioprinting bone along with two growth factor encoding genes that help incorporate the cells and heal defects in the skulls of rats.

Ultimate Transmissions: Thermal Management of Electric Motors

Ultimate Transmissions have developed a new method of thermally managing the stator windings of an electric motor. The technology is relatively simple, but provides the potential for better cooling of the coil windings and the potential to eliminate the oil cooling spray.

Gogoro

Gogoro is a two-wheeler OEM based in Taiwan and was founded in 2011. It makes swap-capable battery packs, e-scooters, drivetrain platforms, and operates a network of battery swapping stations.

Digital Divide Data

Digital Divide Data (DDD) is a not-for-profit social enterprise, providing data services for technology companies while supporting the careers of young people in developing countries.

Carboclave

Carboclave is a Canadian carbontech that utilizes carbon dioxide as a property-enhancing curing agent for prefabricated concrete. In October 2021, IDTechEx Technology Analyst Dr Hydra Rodrigues spoke to Dr Zaid Ghouleh, Carboclave's co-founder and co-owner.

Converting Solar Energy to Electricity on Demand

The researchers behind an energy system that makes it possible to capture solar energy, store it for up to eighteen years and release it when and where it is needed have now taken the system a step further. After previously demonstrating how the energy can be extracted as heat, they have now succeeded in getting the system to produce electricity, by connecting it to a thermoelectric generator. Eventually, the research could lead to self-charging electronics using stored solar energy on demand.

Hydrogen Powered Foiling Chase Boat for Emirates Team New Zealand

Just one week after Emirates Team New Zealand first christened their hydrogen powered foiling catamaran 'Chase Zero', the 10m prototype was up and foiling around the Waitematā harbour in Auckland.

New Transistor Design Could Cut 5% From World Digital Energy Budget

A new spin on one of the 20th century's smallest but grandest inventions, the transistor, could help feed the world's ever-growing appetite for digital memory while slicing up to 5% of the energy from its power-hungry diet.

Using the Body's Naturally Occurring Ions to Help Transmit Data

Implantable bioelectronics are now often key in assisting or monitoring the heart, brain, and other vital organs, but they often lack a safe, reliable way of transmitting their data to doctors. Now researchers have invented a way to augment implantable bioelectronics with simple, high-speed, low-power wireless data links using ions, positively or negatively charged atoms that are naturally available in the body.

AI can Predict Probability of COVID-19 vs Flu Based on Symptoms

A new study by researchers is designed to help identify which symptoms are more likely to indicate COVID during flu season. This is the first study to take seasonality into account.