IDTechEx

Algorithm Flies Drones Faster Than Human Racing Pilots

To be useful, drones need to be quick. Because of their limited battery life they must complete whatever task they have - searching for survivors on a disaster site, inspecting a building, delivering cargo - in the shortest possible time.

Revolutionizing the Orthopedic Sector Thanks to 3D Printing

COP Chimie has succeeded in developing a printable silicone elastomer certified for skin contact. This new soft and flexible material makes it possible to produce orthoses and external prostheses by 3D printing.

Nextiles Launches Software Development Kit

Nextiles announced a newly designed software development kit that will enable any existing application to access Nextiles' software platform and leverage its novel human movement analytics to build custom algorithms and partner-specific metrics.

Aggreko Launches New Fleet of Battery Storage Systems

Aggreko announces the launch of a new fleet of battery storage systems. These fully integrated units will help customers to maintain a 100% reliable power supply while reducing the runtime of their thermal generators, leading to significant cost and emission savings.

MacDermid Alpha

MacDermid Alpha (formerly ESI Automotive) is a part of $1.8 billion Element Solutions Inc, and makes and supplies innovative power module packaging materials into the electric vehicle industry to improve performance and lifetime.

Joanneum Research (PyzoFlex)

Joanneum Research is an Austrian research center. This profile focuses on the Pyzoflex piezoelectric sensing technology that it has developed, which has applications for measuring pressure and especially high frequency signals. IDTechEx caught up with Business Development Manager Gregor Scheipl to determine the latest developments.

Tiny, Injectable Sensors Could Monitor Brain Activity without Surgery

Researchers have developed nanoscale sensors that could be injected into the body to noninvasively track brain activity using light. The approach could one day offer a new way to study the brain or assess patients' brain functioning without the need for surgery or implanted devices.

Better Battery Design for Grid-Scale Energy Storage

Researchers have designed a new class of molten sodium batteries for grid-scale energy storage. Molten sodium batteries have been used for many years to store energy from renewable sources, such as solar panels and wind turbines.

Mercedes-Benz prepares to go all-electric

Mercedes-Benz is getting ready to go all electric by the end of the decade, where market conditions allow. Shifting from electric-first to electric-only, the car company is accelerating toward an emissions-free and software-driven future.

Freer Logic

Freer Logic is an early-stage company that have developed a mechanism for remotely monitoring brain activity, enabling concentration, cognitive load, and fatigue levels to be tracked. It is targeting the automotive sector for driver monitoring, but there are also applications in for training, sleep monitoring and mindfulness.

Group14 Technologies

Group14 Technologies are a US-based company developing silicon anode material for Li-ion batteries. IDTechEx spoke with Group14 Technologies CEO, Rick Luebbe.

3D Printing Composites Will be a $2bn Industry Within the Next Decade

3D printing of fiber-reinforced polymers is rapidly approaching a commercial tipping point. This is quickly becoming one of the most exciting and impactful areas of 3D printing; over the next decade the market will grow to $2 billion, the installed base and applications will expand, and technology will continue to mature.

Malaysia Airports, Skyports, and Volocopter Collaborate on Vertiport

Malaysia Airports has signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding with Skyports and Volocopter. As a first step, the parties will combine their distinct aerospace and aviation expertise to conduct a feasibility study examining suitable vertiport solutions to enable the safe take-off and landing of passenger eVTOL vehicles, considering factors such as demand, customer flow, and how to integrate UAM operations.

Bridge Energy to be Harvested in Pioneering Research Project

Unused energy trapped within bridges is to be harvested in a major new international project. Traffic and wind regularly cause low frequency vibrations to ripple through bridge building materials such as steel and concrete. This energy would normally travel away from its source before dissipating but academics have recognised an opportunity. They intend to capture and recycle this untapped source by using the principles of physics.

Robotic Neck Brace Can Help Analyze Cancer Treatment Impacts

A new robotic neck brace may help doctors analyze the impact of cancer treatments on the neck mobility of patients and guide their recovery.

Algorithms Predict Output of Solar Cells

In line with modern trends, if something needs predicting, you can safely bet that artificial intelligence will make an appearance. To date, there are many algorithms that can estimate the power produced by photovoltaic systems several hours ahead by learning from previous data and analyzing current variables.

Award for Europe's Largest "Fruitvoltaic" System

The project in Babberich has a capacity of 2.67 MWp and is spread over 3.3 hectares of a raspberry farm. Due to the special construction of the semi-transparent photovoltaic roof, there is no need for plastic arches to protect against extreme weather events. The solution provides a stable climate for growing fruits and generates green energy at the same time.

Repurposing Fossil Fuel Assets: New Options

A more value-added approach to repurposing redundant fossil fuel assets such as coal mines and power stations is available.

Building a Multifunctional Pressure Sensor Using 3D Printing

The treatment of many medical issues like abnormal gait and muscular disorders require an accurate sensing of applied pressure. In this regard, flexible pressure sensors that are simple, lightweight, and low-cost, have garnered considerable attention. These sensors are designed and manufactured through 3D printing using conductive polymer composites as their building blocks.

Join the Upcoming IDTechEx Webinar on Plant-Based Meat

Wednesday 28 July 2021 - Plant-Based Meat: Able to Disrupt the $1 Trillion Global Meat Industry? This webinar includes the sustainability issues facing the meat industry and the need for alternatives; investments made into the plant-based meat industry; an overview of the major players in the field; and more.