IDTechEx

The impact of COVID-19 on wearables

This article is a summary of the latest considerations for the wearable technology industry as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, including background on the pandemic, case studies of it's impact, and a discussion around changes to quantitative forecasts across IDTechEx's wearable portfolio as a result.

A Spreadable Way to Stabilise Solid State Batteries

Solid state batteries are of great interest to the electric vehicle industry. Scientists now present a new way of taking this promising concept closer to large-scale application. An interlayer, made of a spreadable, 'butter-like' material helps improve the current density tenfold, while also increasing performance and safety.​​​​​​​​

3D Printed System Speeds up Solar Cell Testing from Hours to Minutes

Tests on new designs for next-generation solar cells can now be done in hours instead of days thanks to a new system incorporating 3D-printed key components.

New Wearables to Diagnose Preeclampsia, Epilepsy and Heart Attacks

Transforming how common health conditions are diagnosed using point-of-care and wearable bio diagnostic devices is the goal of a new project, which has just secured nearly $2.2 million from the National Health, Medical and Research Council.

Riddled With Holes: Making Flexible Thin-Film Electronics More Durable

The prospect of the widespread commercialization and application of flexible electronics has kept researchers worldwide searching for ingenious ways to enhance their performance and durability. From wearable smart devices to solar cells and health sensors, flexible electronics holds much promise in many engineering fields. Unfortunately, flexible devices are usually as fragile as they look; mechanical deformations, such as bending, can induce the formation and propagation of microscopic cracks that ultimately cause devices to fail.

Pulse Electronics

This profile outlines Pulse Electronics' FluidANT printing technology, which uses viscous conductive inks with micron-sized particles to print conductive traces onto 3D objects. It is an alternative to laser direct structuring (LDS) and is primarily used for printing antennae.

How Flexible Integrated Circuits Unlock Their Potential

Flexible hybrid electronic (FHE) promises to combine the functionality of conventional rigid electronics with the flexibility of printed electronics. A prototypical FHE circuit, in which an integrated circuit is combined with multiple other elements, includes (for example) printed sensors, an antenna, a thin film battery and even thin film PV. Not all components need to be included, or even printed, for a circuit to count as FHE, but it must include as a minimum both printed and placed functionality.

50 MWh of Energy Delivered Wirelessly to Electric Bus Fleet

Link Transit has this month achieved 50 megawatt-hours of energy delivered wirelessly to its electric bus fleet. Link Transit is the first electric bus operator in the Americas to reach this technology milestone, and the first in the world to do so in under two years.

Innovative Energy Storage System for Wind Farm Site

Plans for an innovative new energy storage system which would be located on the site of a South Yorkshire wind farm have been submitted for consideration.

Researchers Tap CRISPR Technology to Connect Biology, Electronics

In an effort to create first-of-kind microelectronic devices that connect with biological systems, researchers are utilizing CRISPR technology in a novel way to electronically turn "on" and "off" several genes simultaneously. Their technique has the potential to further bridge the gap between the electronic and biological worlds, paving the way for new wearable and "smart" devices.

Webinar - Autonomous Driving: Peak Car to Arrive as Early as 2031?

In this webinar, Dr Na Jiao provides an overview of the autonomous car and robotaxi market. Dr Jiao is a technology analyst at IDTechEx focusing on autonomous mobility, electric vehicles and energy storage related areas.

Join Our Webinar 29 May - Water: The Next Digital Revolution?

Water and wastewater industries and networks are everywhere. They supply homes, businesses and industries. They are one of the most important infrastructures in many countries. Yet they are not monitored as closely as other utilities industries. However, change is coming. There are many new sensors and products available which can provide a greater insight into this large and wide-ranging industry.

3D-Printed Nuclear Reactor: Faster, Economical Path to Nuclear Energy

Researchers are refining their design of a 3D-printed nuclear reactor core, scaling up the additive manufacturing process necessary to build it, and developing methods to confirm the consistency and reliability of its printed components.

Tritium Launches World-First Plug and Charge Technology

The technology enables an electric vehicle and charger to communicate seamlessly and authorise payments directly from the driver's account, without the need for a card or RFID tag.

Electrics and Electronics Becomes User-Dedicated Smart Material

An important new trend is buying electrics and electronics you customise to function not just shape. See the new IDTechEx report, "Complete Electronics as Smart Material, User-Customized 2020-2040". Builders, textile manufacturers, those doing home improvement and others are starting to buy electrically-smart materials direct from materials companies, bypassing the electronics industry.

Mixed Reality in a Time of COVID-19

Recently the versatility of mixed and augmented reality products has come to the forefront of the news, with an Imperial led project at the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. Doctors have been wearing the Microsoft Hololens headsets whilst working on the front lines of the COVID pandemic, to aid them in their care for their patients.

KYB Corp and REE Automotive to Develop Next-Gen Modular EV Platform

REE Automotive and KYB Corporation announced a strategic partnership to develop suspension capabilities for future electric vehicle platforms.

Clean Energy Social, Online Community for the Clean Energy Industry

Clean Energy Social recently launched its online platform, a professional network for the clean energy industry, bringing all industry stakeholders together in a single online community.

AMTE Power and Britishvolt sign MoU for UK's Landmark GigaFactory

AMTE Power and Britishvolt announce plans to investigate collaborating to build the UK's first full cycle battery cell GigaPlant, servicing the automotive and energy storage markets.

Arenko Provides National Grid Upward and Downward Reserve Flexibility

Arenko Group is pleased to be supporting National Grid by exclusively trialling a new upward and downward reserve flexibility service from its 41MW Bloxwich battery asset in a first of its kind trial for batteries.