IDTechEx

A Remarkable Year for Stationary Energy Storage

2018 was a remarkable year for stationary energy storage. Governments and policymakers around the world are beginning to wake up to the value batteries can offer to the grid, both in terms of flexibility and decarbonisation. Over 6GWh was deployed, and market leaders such as Tesla expect to double their deployments for 2019.

Social robots can benefit hospitalized children

A new study demonstrates, for the first time, that "social robots" used in support sessions held in pediatric units at hospitals can lead to more positive emotions in sick children.

Hybrid device may help doctors treat strokes more quickly

Researchers have developed a device that uses near-infrared light to monitor blood flow. The hybrid instrument, which relies on the combination of two light measurement techniques, could be used to quickly and noninvasively diagnose cerebral ischemia.

Rapid test for malaria using a graphene biosensor

Researchers are developing a device that allows the early diagnosis of malaria, in a fast and reliable way, and at an accessible cost.

Fuel cell EVs fit in where?

Time was when fuel cells were to be in every bike then every motorbike then they were pushed back to ever larger vehicles. The IDTechEx take is that fuel cells are most likely to find their place where batteries cannot give the range and where few of the expensive charging station systems are needed meaning fleets and trains.

More trials for wave powered energy generator

Tiny living corals occupy vast extensions, forming a reef able to absorb much of the energy of waves in an efficient manner. This led to the idea of creating direct action turbines placed in series, composed of many blades simulating a coral reef.

BMW Group steps up the pace of e-mobility expansion

BMW will now achieve the total of 25 electrified models previously announced for 2025 two years earlier, in 2023. Thanks to flexible vehicle architectures for fully-electric, plug-in hybrid and combustion engine drive trains, the company is able to respond quickly to changing conditions. More than half of the 25 models will be fully electric.

Energy storage system uses EV battery packs

Investment into a stationary, energy storage system which uses electric vehicle battery packs after they have completed their useful lives on-board vehicles.

Phones and wearables combine to assess worker performance

Using smartphones, fitness bracelets and a custom app, researchers have created a mobile-sensing system that judges employee performance. The system works by monitoring the physical, emotional and behavioral well-being of workers to classify high and low performers.

Vagus nerve stimulation reduces rheumatoid arthritis symptoms

The results of a pilot study suggest that electro stimulation of one of the nerves connecting the brain to the body (the vagus nerve), could provide a novel treatment approach for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Crawling robots, drones detect damage to save wind blades

Drones and crawling robots outfitted with special scanning technology could help wind blades stay in service longer, which may help lower the cost of wind energy at a time when blades are getting bigger, pricier and harder to transport, researchers say.

3DCompare.com on-demand manufacturing platform investment round

3DCompare is announcing the result of a successful investment seed round of £150k in funding. Using the additional funding, 3DCompare will develop its broad range of services, including its compare tool algorithm for finding suitable manufacturers, allowing it to advance to a new phase of the company's continuous growth.

Special nanotubes could improve solar power and imaging technology

Physicists discovered a novel kind of nanotube that generates current in the presence of light. Devices such as optical sensors and infrared imaging chips are likely applications, which could be useful in fields such as automated transport and astronomy. In future, if the effect can be magnified and the technology scaled up, it could lead to high-efficiency solar power devices.

Nova Graphene

IDTechEx spoke with Nova Graphene. Nova Graphene have been operating since 2017 and as of June 2019 have 10-emplyees. They provide graphene (single-layer, multi-layer, and blends) under the branding CarbonEra.

Cosinuss

The company displayed Cosinuss One, a continuously measuring wearable sensor. Its CEO presented during the 'Wearables Keynotes' conference session.

Highlights from the Battery Show - Europe 2019 (Pt 2 of 2)

Further key findings from the Battery Show and Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology Expo. Stuttgart, Germany May 2019

Industrial scale manufacturing lines for energy storage solutions

Comau has been commissioned to build one of the world's first automated manufacturing lines for lithium-ion battery modules for transport applications by Leclanché, one of the world's leading providers of energy storage solutions.

Hydrogen-based microgrid demonstration project successfully completed

In May 2019, Angstrom Advanced Inc officially completed the Microgrid hydrogen-based power-storage system demonstration project.

Novares integrates FlexEnable's conformable OLCDs into new demo car

FlexEnable has announced that it has collaborated with Novares on the integration of curved, glass-free organic LCDs into the Novares Nova Car #2.

Engineers 3-D print flexible mesh for ankle and knee braces

Hearing aids, dental crowns, and limb prosthetics are some of the medical devices that can now be digitally designed and customized for individual patients, thanks to 3-D printing. However, these devices are typically designed to replace or support bones and other rigid parts of the body, and are often printed from solid, relatively inflexible material.