Emergence

Navigating the Landscape of Direct Lithium Extraction Technologies

Direct lithium extraction (DLE) technologies will be critical in achieving fast, efficient, and sustainable lithium production in order to meet battery demand. This article highlights the different types of DLE technology, how they compare to each other, and which technologies are anticipated to see greater market uptake.

Optimizing Signal for Communication and Radar with Low-Loss Materials

The emergence of 5G and 6G telecommunications, along with the rise of data center demand and advanced automotive radar systems, is presenting a need for low-loss materials to optimize transmission. This article explores how low-loss materials can prevent transmission losses associated with higher sensitivities and frequencies.

The Recovery Revolution Sparked by Platinum Group Metals

Higher rates of critical material recovery are crucial to insulating supply chains from the introduction of export controls on highly geographically localised primary mineral sources. In this article, IDTechEx presents the valuable lessons that can be learned from the success of the platinum group metals recovery market.

Expert Webinar on EV Battery Material Trends

Join IDTechEx Technology Analyst Daniel Parr on Thursday 19th March for the expert-led webinar, "How EV Battery Material Trends Lead to Lower Prices and Increased Energy Density". Choose your preferred time zone - the webinar runs three times in one day.

Coherent: InP for Photonic Applications.

Coherent Corp, (formerly II-VI Incorporated) is a major American producer of optical components, with a strong portfolio in laser technology for photonics and datacom. In fiscal year 2025, Coherent generated over $5.8 billion USD in revenues. Coherent has recently transitioned from 4" to 6" indium phosphide (InP) wafers - an industry first. It has also reportedly validated ultra-high powered (UHP) laser technologies for co-packaged optics (CPO). Coherent is also pursuing VCSEL's for use at 200G/lane applications. In this profile IDTechEx assesses these breakthroughs in the context of the wider datacom, AI, and photonics markets.

Webinar | Direct Lithium Extraction Reshaping Global Lithium Supply

Join IDTechEx Senior Technology Analyst Pranav Jaswani on Thursday 29th January for this expert webinar "Direct Lithium Extraction: Reshaping Global Lithium Supply Through Efficiency & Sustainability". Choose your preferred time zone - the webinar runs three times during the day.

The Variety of Optical Solutions for AI Glasses and VR Headsets

This article describes the variety of optics required for XR (extended reality) devices. For AR glasses, this includes waveguides and other technologies such as birdbath combiners, whilst for VR headsets, solutions include pancake, Fresnel, and aspheric lenses. Across XR devices, different optics solutions are required based on the intended use case, with a variety of factors contributing to the suitability of an optics technology for a specific device. Factors include weight, optical efficiency, image quality, form factor, and cost.

Reshaping the Lithium Market Through Direct Lithium Extraction

The growth of Li-ion batteries creates surging demand for lithium, but there is an increasing need for extraction methods that are efficient, sustainable, and versatile across different environments and regions. This article highlights how the emergence of direct lithium extraction (DLE) technologies will allow producers to satisfy these needs while scaling up to meet global lithium demand in the coming decade.

Global Drone Market to Reach More Than US$140 Billion by 2036

Drones have transitioned from experimental tools into essential infrastructure across agriculture, logistics, energy, security, and public-sector operations. According to the newly released IDTechEx report "Drones Market 2026-2036: Technologies, Markets, and Opportunities", the global drone market, including consumer, commercial, and defense platforms, is projected to grow from approximately US$69 billion in 2026 to US$147.8 billion by 2036, corresponding to a 7.9% CAGR.

Global Sensor Market to Reach US$250B Annually by 2036

IDTechEx forecasts that the global sensor market will reach $250B in annual revenue by 2036, as global mega-trends in AI, future mobility, wearables, edge computing, and automation drive renewed growth opportunities. Next generation sensor technology innovations in quantum sensors, ADAS sensors, image sensors, MEMS, photonic integrated circuits, and printed sensor markets will be key to realizing the highest growth opportunities over the next decade.

The Redox Flow Batteries Market to Reach US$9.2B in Value by 2036

The redox flow battery market has seen significant growth in the past two years, led predominantly by key player Rongke Power. However, several opportunities are also being grasped by other players, be this in the emerging applications for RFBs, commercialization of cheaper RFB technologies, and new programs to incentivize RFBs and LDES.

Ascend Elements Offtake Agreement for Lithium Carbonate

Ascend Elements, a major US-based Li-ion battery recycler and refiner, has announced a multi-year offtake agreement for lithium carbonate with Trafigura, a major global commodities supplier. This signals a significant development in lithium material supply chains - IDTechEx Senior Technology Analyst Conrad Nichols spoke exclusively to Ascend Elements CEO Linh Austin.

What will 6G Bring to the World of Telecoms?

The telecom industry deploys new generations of wireless communications roughly every 10 years, with 6G expected to enter commercial use around 2030. So what is 6G, why is it needed, and how does it offer to change the game after the somewhat lacklustre performance of its predecessor, 5G?

Reshoring, Repurposing & Reliability with Metal Additive Manufacturing

Metal additive manufacturing specifically boasts increased benefits when compared to other material feedstocks in 3D printing, including freedom of design, local manufacturing, cost savings, and reduced manufacturing times. This article covers some of the outlooks for the market including key trends and forecasts.

Ericsson - 6G (2025 Interview)

Ericsson is a leading vendor of telecoms equipment and software. IDTechEx spoke with the Head of 6G Portfolio Strategy and Head of Technology Management to find out more about their progress in developing and standardizing 6G technologies.

Solid Power

Solid Power was established in 2012 as a spin-out from the University of Colorado Boulder. Founded by Doug Campbell, Conrad Stoldt, and Sehee Lee, the company initially received funding from DARPA to explore next-generation solid-state battery technology. By 2013, Solid Power secured US$4.5 million in funding from ARPA-E and other non-dilutive sources, such as the Department of Defense and NASA. This early support enabled the company to transition out of the university's research labs and begin independent operations.

Glass in Semiconductors: The Next Inflection in Semiconductors

IDTechEx has released a brand-new market report, "Glass in Semiconductors 2026-2036: Applications, Emerging Technologies, and Market Insights", providing end-to-end market intelligence for seven distinct glass product segments, with technology deep-dives, benchmarking, supply chain mapping, adoption drivers, risk analysis, and unit and revenue forecasts 2025-2036.