IDTechEx

Harnessing light for a solar-powered chemical industry

New technology that harnesses sunlight to drive chemical reactions is paving the way for a more sustainable chemical manufacturing industry, one of the globe's biggest energy users.

Flexible bipolar plates for compact batteries

Whether used for power supply or in electric cars, current battery systems are based on a series of interconnected individual cells, which has certain disadvantages in terms of efficiency and manufacturing. Bipolar battery setups, in contrast, comprise compact stacks of individual cells. A new type of flexible and extremely thin bipolar plate allows batteries to be manufactured cost effectively.

Aircraft-inspecting suction robot successfully trialled

A prototype robot that uses intense suction to climb around the outside of aircraft and inspect them for damage has successfully been trialled.

Scientists engineer new CRISPR platform for DNA targeting

CRISPR team harnesses new Cas12b enzyme for use in eukaryotic cells, adding to the CRISPR toolbox.

E-mobility and digitalisation mean profound structural change

The New Year sees Volkswagen systematically forging ahead with its electric offensive and the transformation of the factories in Zwickau, Dresden, Emden and Hanover to become production locations for electric vehicles.

All-in-one transparent transistors

Small tweaks in component ratios generate electronically different layers from the same material to create transparent transistors.

An AI that "de-biases" algorithms

We've learned in recent years that AI systems can be unfair, which is dangerous when they're increasingly being used to do everything from predict crime to determine what news we consume. Last year's study showing the racism of face-recognition algorithms demonstrated a fundamental truth about AI: if you train with biased data, you'll get biased results.

A safe, wearable soft sensor

Children born prematurely often develop neuromotor and cognitive developmental disabilities. The best way to reduce the impacts of those disabilities is to catch them early through a series of cognitive and motor tests. But accurately measuring and recording the motor functions of small children is tricky.

Elkem Silicones

IDTechEx analyst Nadia Tsao interviewed Elkem Silicones Business Development Manager Karsten Schlichter about the 3D printing of silicone for healthcare on 25 January 2019.

Electric Vehicles: Induction Motor Opportunities

The new IDTechEx Research report, "Electric Motors for Electric Vehicles: Land, Water, Air 2019-2029" measures how induction (asynchronous) motors are rapidly losing market share.

Food Tech at CES 2019

In this premium article, we present some of the key food tech products from CES 2019 and Food Tech Live.

Photovoltaics -- Versatile in shape and color

The goal of PRINTPERO is to develop digitally printed, highly efficient and stable solar modules that can be integrated into roofs, facades, and windows.

Corvus Energy storage system for five new Fjord1 ferries

Corvus Energy has been selected by Norwegian Electric Systems to supply lithium ion battery-based energy storage systems for five new all-electric ferries being built by Havyard for Norwegian ferry operator Fjord1.

World's first study using focused ultrasound to treat epilepsy

In a first-in-world clinical trial, researchers are studying how well focused ultrasound surgery works in adults with a specific type of epilepsy whose seizures are not controlled by medication.

A sustainable and recyclable thermoelectric paper

Researchers have created a new concept of thermoelectric material, a device composed of cellulose, produced in situ in the laboratory by bacteria, with small amounts of a conductive nanomaterial, carbon nanotubes, using a sustainable and environmentally friendly strategy.

Drones rid island of rat plague

The Ministry of Environment through the Directorate of the Galápagos National Park together with the NGO Island Conservation started eradicating invasive rodents from North Seymour Island and the Mosquera Islet in January 2019. These islands are important tourism and seabird nesting sites for species such as frigate birds and swallow-tailed gulls, which are the only nocturnal gull on the planet.

Abnormal chest X-rays quickly processed by AI

New research has found that a novel Artificial Intelligence system can dramatically reduce the time needed to ensure that abnormal chest X-rays with critical findings will receive an expert radiologist opinion sooner, cutting the average delay from 11 days to less than 3 days.

The Dark Side of Hydro Power

Hydroelectric power is by far the most successful form of so-called zero-emission production of electricity but it has a dark side.

World's first 15.6-inch UHD (ultra-high definition) OLED panel

Samsung Display has succeeded in developing a 15.6-inch UHD (3840 x 2160 pixels) OLED panel ― the world's first UHD display for the notebook/laptop market. Samsung will begin mass producing the 15.6-inch UHD OLED panel in mid-February.

Two case studies on markets for actuators

At an event as large as CES, there are many technology themes beyond the traditional topic boundaries covered by IDTechEx. In this article, we discuss two such areas, both of which are close to, but slightly outside traditional areas of coverage.