IDTechEx

Kymira

IDTechEx caught up with Philip Kunovski, CTO & Head of Research at Kymira Ltd. at the Wearable Technology Show 2019.

Inorganic perovskite absorbers for use in thin-film solar cells

Teams all over the world are working intensively on the development of perovskite solar cells. The focus is on what are known as metal-organic hybrid perovskites whose crystal structure is composed of inorganic elements such as lead and iodine as well as an organic molecule.

BMW losing shares in electric vehicles

Sales of BMW brand vehicles increased 1.4 percent in April 2019 for a total of 23,816 over the 23,482 vehicles sold in April 2018.

Pollution contributes to lung cancer deaths in non-smokers

A group of respiratory medicine and public health experts are calling for lung cancer in never-smokers to be given greater recognition. It is estimated that around 6,000 people in the UK who have never smoked die of lung cancer every year.

Crumpled carbon nanotube forests to power wearables

For emerging wearable tech to advance, it needs improved power sources. Now researchers have provided a potential solution via crumpled carbon nanotube forests, or CNT forests.

Robots to the rhino rescue

With just two northern white rhinos remaining in the world, both of whom are female, scientists are racing against the clock to rescue the species from the brink of extinction. Decades of poaching and habitat loss have led to their dramatic decline. Hope for their survival now rests on scientists' ability to develop innovative methods for repopulating the species.

Groovy new solar technology aims to be the future of renewable energy

An innovative new solar-cell design which has the capability to drive down costs of solar cell manufacture, has been created by scientists at the University of Sheffield and energy technology company Power Roll.

Tesla shares jump, Elon Musk to buy more

Tesla Inc announced offerings of $650 million of common stock and $1,350 million aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due in 2024 in concurrent underwritten registered public offerings. Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, will participate by purchasing $10 million of common stock.

Stand-alone contact lens with a flexible micro battery

Scientists are currently working together to design an oculometer embedded in a scleral contact lens. They have recently created the first autonomous contact lens incorporating a flexible micro-battery.

Deadly box jellyfish antidote discovered using CRISPR genome editing

Researchers have discovered an antidote to the deadly sting delivered by the most venomous creature on earth - the Australian box jellyfish.

World's longest multilayer flexible printed circuit

A 26-metre long multilayer flexible printed circuit has been created, believed to be the longest ever produced, for distributing power and control signals across the wings of a solar-powered, unmanned aerial vehicle.

Soft, actuated objects using commercial knitting machines

Researchers have used computationally controlled knitting machines to create plush toys and other knitted objects that are actuated by tendons. It's an approach they say might someday be used to cost-effectively make soft robots and wearable technologies.

3D printing of metallic micro-objects

3D printing has become an increasingly important production method. Researchers have now developed a new 3D printing technique by which micrometre-sized objects made of several metals can be produced with high spatial resolution.

3D organ bioprinting gets breath of fresh air

Bioengineers have cleared a major hurdle on the path to 3D printing replacement organs with a breakthrough technique for bioprinting tissues.

3D printer threads electronic fibers onto fabrics

The potential for wearable electronics goes far beyond smart watches, but our current options for battery packs and circuit boards don't make for the most comfortable E-socks. One solution, being developed is to simply print flexible fibers on to transitional textiles or clothes.

Disney solar facility capable of powering two theme parks

This facility is expected to generate enough renewable clean energy to operate two of Disney's four theme parks in Central Florida annually, all while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50,000 tons per year.

New material to revolutionise electronics, fast-charging battery tech

Tiny, individual, flexible ribbons of crystalline phosphorus have been made in a world first, and they could revolutionise electronics and fast-charging battery technology.

Electric car registrations surpassed 100,000 units in Europe

The European car market registered its seventh consecutive month of decline in March 2019. Ongoing political and economic uncertainty, including lack of clarity around Brexit, alongside consumer preoccupation with diesel bans in cities, meant that overall demand continued to decline.

$280 million of support for energy storage from New York Governor

$280 million of support is available for energy storage projects to accelerate growth within the industry and drive down energy storage deployment costs to build a sustainable and affordable market.

Solar cells (like people!) work better with caffeine

Scientists have found that caffeine improves the stability of materials under heat - a property known as thermal stability — of perovskite solar cells, which could someday replace traditional silicon-based solar cells.