3M

Self-healing gel makes electronics more flexible, advances batteries

Researchers have developed a first-of-its-kind self-healing gel that repairs and connects electronic circuits, creating opportunities to advance the development of flexible electronics, biosensors and batteries as energy storage devices.

World's first jet-powered, 3D printed UAV

Stratasys Ltd has announced that it has teamed with Aurora Flight Sciences to deliver, what is believed to be, the largest, fastest, and most complex 3D printed unmanned aerial vehicle ever produced.

Quantum dots making inroads in displays

Quantum dots have been developed since the early 80's but it is only recently that they made an appearance in consumer products such as TVs and tablet computers. IDTechEx Research has published a new market report on quantum dots titled Quantum Dots 2016-2026: Applications, Markets, Manufacturers, and as part of this study we have looked at their impact on the display industry. Is this the technology that will enable LCD to rival OLED?

Quantum dots in LCD

This article is the second of our series on quantum dots. IDTechEx has been intensively researching the technologies, applications and markets of quantum dots and here we share some of key intelligence, forecasts and insights with our subscribers. This article examines the use of quantum dots in the LCD display industry. Here, we will examine how replacing phosphors with quantum dots improves energy efficiency and colour performance, and how quantum dot LCD display begin to erode the value proposition of OLED displays. We will also explore how a potential change in colour gamut standards might further push quantum dots into the market. We will then explore the different integration of approaches of quantum dots into LCD displays; namely, edge optic, film and on-chip. We will then examine the progress of 3M, LMS, DNP, QLight (Merck), QDVision, Sony, Samsung, LG, etc.

Wildcat Discovery Technologies

Wildcat Discovery Technologies is a materials R&D company located in San Diego, California. Wildcat is focused on the discovery of advanced materials for lithium-ion batteries, with secondary work on variety of other applications. Wildcat scientists use proprietary state-of-the-art high throughput technology to synthesize and test thousands of battery materials, each fully formulated and tested in actual cells. Wildcat collaborates with industry leaders around the world to develop promising new materials for new and promising rechargeable and primary battery technologies.

Visualizing the 3D printing landscape

The 3D printing industry is still going from strength to strength. According to the IDTechEx report 3D Printing 2015-2025: Technologies, Markets, Players this industry is set to grow from $1bn in 2012 to $20bn in 2025.

Electric buses: billion dollar orders and crucibles of change

China alone may have 11 million electric buses by 2025 or not long after. The way they are getting costs down - something tracked by IDTechEx - that may be at a much lower price than today but still constitute about $1 trillion or more. Compare that over a decade or more with the IDTechEx projections of all global EV sales, land, water and air, in 2025 of around $500 billion. Buses matter.

Flexible barrier technologies: a brief review of technology options

Back in 2014, we witnessed the launch of the first displays deposited on flexible substrates, and the first efforts to encapsulate them. There are significant differences in the encapsulation techniques utilized by each of the companies commercializing flexible electronics. These differences signify the variety of technologies available, in terms of deposition as well as material options for the barrier films, some of which are discussed in this article

Quantum dots now showing their true colours

Quantum dots are making some serious inroads in the display industry. This was very apparent at SID Display Week this month, where several quantum dot LCD panels were showcased. Is this the technology that will beat OLED in the TV market? Maybe, but some questions still need to be answered.

Nissha succeeds in developing new conductive material

Silver nanowire ink expected to be a conductive material of the next generation

Toner Plastics

One of the biggest suppliers of thermoplastic filaments supplying the major OEMs of desktop 3D printers.

The diversification of 3D printing

Since the commercialization of the first 3D printer in the 1980s, the breadth of end users taking advantage of this technology has continued to grow.

Norsk Titanium

Norsk Titanium provide 3D printed titanium parts to Tier 1 suppliers and OEMs in the aerospace industry. Their novel process uses welding wire and a plasma arc to cheaply produce near-net shape parts.

Flexible barrier technologies: material and deposition options

Back in 2013, we witnessed the launch by Samsung and LG of the first AMOLED displays deposited on plastic substrates, and the first efforts to encapsulate plastic and flexible displays that IDTechEx is forecasting will become more than a $16bn dollar market in the next 5 years.

Consortium to deliver UK's first range-extended fleet vehicles

Millbrook, one of Europe's leading independent test and technology centres for vehicles and vehicle systems, will join a UK industry consortium to develop a new class of zero-emission, light commercial vehicle.

Another reason to be close to Asahi Kasei

Lithium-ion and lead-acid battery separator firm Polypore International has been sold for around $3.2billion in two separate deals. The US company sold its Energy Storage business to Japanese firm Asahi Kasei Corporation for around $2.2billion and its Separations Media segment to US based 3M Co for around $1billion.

NanoDimension

Nano Dimension is a listed company in Israel established in 2012. It is focused on 3D printing of electronics. It currently has two product lines: (1) a high-end desktop printer aimed at the professional end of the rapid prototyping of complex PCBs and (2) an inkjet printable silver nanoparticle ink.