Research Articles

There has been a continuous increase in the cost of platinum since 1970. In this article, IDTechEx introduces the role of Pt as a catalyst in PEM fuel cells and outlines several ways in which the industry is striving to reduce its dependence on the ever increasingly expensive precious metal.

This article gives an overview of the mechanisms by which self-healing occurs, an insight into the trade-offs between different mechanisms, and the key applications adopting self-healing materials, including a look to the long-term future of these materials.

Bipolar plates are a key component of PEM fuel cells, providing structural support and carrying out a major role in the power generating electrochemical reaction. This article discusses the materials consideration for plates, which can be made from metal or graphite/graphitic composite.

Graphene is a material that has received significant attention and hype, with its commercial adoption to date more of a material push than a market pull, as a killer application is sought. Bulk applications are being validated and will see uptake in the future, but this article outlines how short-term adoption will be led by consumer products, particularly those in the prosumer / luxury category.

As the demand for clean green hydrogen grows, electrolyser demand will grow in tandem. This article details which electrolyser components will seize market value based on adoption of different electrolyser technology solutions.

IDTechEx analyst Dr Conor O'Brien covers the outlook for graphene through to 2036.

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells will see uptake in a range of mobility and stationary applications, with specific technology trends for the individual fuel cell components. This article introduces these constituent components, and the associated trends seen in the market.

Graphene has been discussed as a wonder material that will unlock the next-generation technologies seen in sci-fi movies. This article explores why these advances have not been seen, the tangible success that graphene has shown in consumer electronics and a look to the potential role of graphene in the next iteration of batteries.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have rapidly scaled from laboratory production to a high-volume, critical additive in lithium-ion batteries, driving global capacity expansion and industry consolidation while putting downward pressure on material costs. Beyond energy storage, falling prices and increasing production open opportunities for CNTs in cost-sensitive applications, where they will compete with other advanced nanocarbons such as carbon black.

Graphene has long been hailed as a wonder material, but its commercial journey has been defined by cautious progress rather than overnight disruption. Today, the industry is steadily advancing beyond the laboratory stage. IDTechEx projects robust growth for graphene-related materials in the coming decade, driven by expanding demand across multiple application sectors.

This article covers the importance of dispersion technology for enabling carbon nanotube enhanced technology, including energy storage and composites. IDTechEx discusses the key applications requiring CNT dispersions, commercial successes and technical challenges.

Following decades of hype and false dawns, nanocarbons are now beginning to see substantial market adoption and growth. This article delves into the continued growth of the carbon nanotube market, which is set to exceed $1.25 billion by 20235. IDTechEx assesses the key applications driving the growth, and the leading players poised to take a significant market share.

Self-healing materials have the ability to extend the lifespan of mission critical components such as energy storage devices, sensors and soft robotics. This article looks at some of the key materials developments, pain points and potential growth opportunities for self-healing materials in these emerging markets.

Self-healing concrete aims to mitigate economic losses caused by corrosion and degradation of concrete, such as the need for repair or replacement, maintenance costs, and disruptions caused by downtime. Bacteria-based approaches are leading the way for self-healing concrete.

Self-healing concrete aims to mitigate economic losses caused by corrosion and degradation of concrete, such as the need for repair or replacement, maintenance costs, and disruptions caused by downtime. Bacteria-based approaches are leading the way for self-healing concrete.

With the USA importing up to 80% of its raw silver, imposed tariffs will dramatically affect the technology landscape for conductive inks. This article assesses emerging alternative inks and the required ink properties for specific applications.

The automotive industry is often an early adopter of luxury products, where both the increased performance and convenience are selling points to consumers. Self-healing materials can be used in a range of automotive applications, including tires, paints, and coatings. Use cases even extend to asphalt road surfaces, where damage can lead to issues for vehicles and drivers.

Although graphene and carbon nanotubes have long been touted as "wonder materials" with the potential to address numerous global challenges, the initial excitement did not quickly lead to widespread commercial success. IDTechEx has closely monitored the nanocarbon market for over ten years, and this article will evaluate the application areas where graphene and CNTs are likely to achieve notable success in the next ten years.

Silver-flake-based inks currently dominate the conductive inks market, but the outlook for non-silver inks is set to change dramatically over the coming decade, with a CAGR of 24%. Stretchable/thermoformable inks and copper inks will seize the largest market share, driven by applications such as in-mold electronics, wearable electrodes, and RFID & smart packaging.

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games are underway, and elite athletes from all over the world are competing in various games using a range of different skills. With constant debate over gold, silver, and bronze medals, a comparison can be made with the conductive inks market. Silver flake-based inks are set to win gold in a number of different application areas, beating out competition from a host of conductive ink types.

The conductive inks market will grow to exceed US$6.5 billion by 2034 but remains a highly segmented industry, underpinning both photovoltaics and the emerging field of printed electronics. Taking stock of the different outlooks for the myriad of conductive ink types and the various application areas is a complex task. IDTechEx has tackled this problem by assessing the market for different conductive ink types across 15 application areas and providing granular ten-year market forecasts.

2024 has marked the 20th anniversary of the original isolation of graphene, first achieved at the University of Manchester in 2004, prior to the award of the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010. In the two decades since its isolation, graphene has been the subject of immense hype, labeled as a wonder material with superlative properties capable of enabling society-shifting technologies.

Membrane materials are of fundamental importance for fuel cells, even giving their name to the specific type of fuel cell, as is the case for Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells. Typically, these membranes consist of ionomers containing perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which in turn are subject to increasing concern and proposed regulations. In response to this, alternative materials for membranes are beginning to emerge.

Bipolar plates are crucial components in proton exchange fuel cells, representing a substantial portion of the value of the fuel cell stack. IDTechEx predicts that their market value will surpass US$2.5 billion by 2034. The choice between metal and graphite materials for bipolar plates is a significant consideration, with each option having distinct advantages depending on the specific application.

With the growing hydrogen economy, proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells are the subject of ongoing innovation, especially in terms of materials development. Dominant incumbent materials are seen for certain components, but alternative competitive options are emerging, and the technology landscape is beginning to shift.

Graphene has long been touted as a wonder material, capable of enabling countless next-generation technologies. The market is beginning to mature, and successful application areas are starting to emerge. These applications range from energy storage to thermal management and composites.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are gaining significant traction as a conductive additive at the cathode of lithium-ion batteries (LiB), a market driven in turn by the electrification of vehicles. This success has seen an explosion in the global production capacity of CNTs, with players racing to establish themselves as a leading supplier to the energy sector. However, the potential application areas for CNTs extend far beyond batteries. In this article, IDTechEx assesses the effects of increasing capacity and how this surge in supply will open opportunities for CNTs beyond the LiB market.

Graphene has long been seen as a "wonder material" and a solution to many of the world's challenges. The reality is very different as, unsurprisingly, the hype did not immediately translate into commercial success.

The market for nanomaterials, especially nanocarbons, continues to grow - reflecting the potential to unlock several next-generation technologies. Most notable for carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is incorporation in lithium-ion batteries, with production ramping up to fulfill demand, while major players are making acquisitions and expanding, leading to market consolidation.

The energy storage market is booming, driven predominantly by the electrification of the transportation sector. With the increasing demand for lithium-ion batteries (LiB), significant attention has been given to the supply chain of materials for LiBs beyond lithium itself. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are gaining traction as a conductive additive at the cathode of LiBs, paving the way for significant expansion in the CNT market.

Following several decades of research and development, fuel cells are beginning to enable the promise of low-emission power generation, with specific success seen for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC).

The desire for zero-emission power generation has seen solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) touted as a possible solution. SOFC's capability to run on hydrogen and at a higher efficiency than alternative fuel cells when providing combined heat and power (CHP) is an enticing prospect, while fuel flexibility allows for a transition from hydrocarbons towards zero emission power generation as part of the hydrogen economy.

Fuel cells could play an important role in the future of power generation, enabling the transition from traditional hydrocarbon fuels to low or zero-emission fuels. The fuel flexibility of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) offers a competitive advantage over the currently dominant proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), which is limited to operating on hydrogen.

Bipolar plates form the backbone of proton exchange fuel cells and consequently capture a significant portion of the fuel cell stack value, with IDTechEx forecasting their market value to exceed US$2.4 bn by 2033.

Membrane materials are of fundamental importance for fuel cells. So significant, in fact, that they typically give their name to the fuel cell, as is the case for Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells, with IDTechEx forecasting the market for ion-exchange membranes in PEM fuel cells to be worth over USD$1.1 billion by 2033.

Catalysts are critical for the performance of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. As the trend towards zero-emission vehicles continues, fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) are projected to grow accordingly as a market sector.