IDTechEx

Volkswagen Group to expand production of electric vehicles

The Volkswagen Group is driving forward with the transformation to e-mobility. 16 locations around the globe are to produce battery powered vehicles by the end of 2022.

Silicon breakthrough for high-performance bendable electronics

A new method of creating bendable silicon chips could help pave the way for a new generation of high-performance flexible electronic devices.

3D printing helps develop world-first hearing aid

A world-first self-fitting hearing aid with a rechargeable battery and the ability to be set via a smartphone has been developed.

Personalised robotic exosuits

When it comes to soft assistive devices — like the wearable exosuit being created by the Harvard Biodesign Lab — the wearer and the robot need to be in sync. But every human moves a bit differently, and tailoring the robot's parameters to an individual user is a time-consuming and inefficient process.

Graphene material strengthens nerve signaling in the brain

Less than 20 years after it was developed, a thin, resilient sheet of carbon atoms with remarkable properties known as graphene is transforming biomedical fields as far flung as tissue engineering, neuroprosthetics and drug discovery.

SPIE Photonics West 2018 Exhibition

IDTechEx analysts attended SPIE Photonics West 2018, which took place at the Moscone Center in San Francisco (USA) during the first week of February. SPIE Photonics West is the largest international event on photonic technologies with 20,000+ attendees.

New method to create self-tinting windows

Researchers have developed a simple, cost-effective technique for making smart windows that could lead the way for wide-scale adoption of this energy-saving technology.

Capturing brain signals with soft electronics

A new technology for long-term stable neural recording. It is based on a novel elastic material composite, which is biocompatible and retains high electrical conductivity even when stretched to double its original length.

Self-driving robots collect water samples

For the first time, scientists will deploy a small fleet of long-range autonomous underwater vehicles that have the ability to collect and archive seawater samples automatically. These new robots will allow researchers to track and study ocean microbes in unprecedented detail.

All power to the proton: battery breakthrough

Researchers have demonstrated for the first time a working rechargeable "proton battery" that could re-wire how we power our homes, vehicles and devices.

Agricultural robotics and drones: diversity of functions, forms

Our research, published in Agricultural Robots and Drones 2018-2038: Technologies, Markets and Players, describes how robotics is transforming the world of agriculture. Indeed, our previous articles have described agricultural robotics and drones could become a $28Bn and $35B industry by 2028 and 2038, respectively. In this article, we seek to demonstrate the diversity of functions, forms and fortunes that exists, and will continue to exist, in agricultural robotics.

ISORG

ISORG develop Organic Photo Detector (OPD) systems which are partly printed, with mass production beginning in late 2018 or early 2019. They are focusing on smart shelves and finger print scanners (small and large area).

TWI

TWI are an engineering firm that specialize in joining and composite technology. They have recently developed a smart composite that can transmit data through the part without wires using surface waves. IDTechEx technology analyst Dr Richard Collins visited TWI and spoke with Paul Burling (Progamme Manager - Defence).

Conductive inks: recent and emerging market trends

In this article, we will review the latest developments on core existing as well as nascent emerging applications.

Hydro-Québec moves into microgrids

Ville de Lac-Mégantic and Hydro-Québec are teaming up to build a microgrid in the municipality's new downtown. The most advanced energy technologies will deployed in the coming years, making the neighborhood a cutting-edge technological showcase.

Materials sandwich breaks barrier for flexible solar cell efficiency

Solar cells have great potential as a source of clean electrical energy, but so far they have not been cheap, light, and flexible enough for widespread use. Now a team of researchers has found an innovative and promising way to improve solar cells and make their use in many applications more likely.

Panasonic starts producing battery cells for electric cars in China

Panasonic Corporation has begun mass production of prismatic-type automotive lithium-ion batteries at its factory in Dalian, China, and held a ceremony to mark the first shipment.

CRISPR enhances cancer immunotherapy

Last year, the Food and Drug Administration approved the first cellular immunotherapies to treat cancer. These therapies involve collecting a patient's own immune cells -- called T cells -- and supercharging them to home in on and attack specific blood cancers, such as hard-to-treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Technology to transform the future of produce growing

Growers concerned about workforce shortages in the wake of Brexit could soon have an alternative solution - robots.

3D-printable alloy shows promise for flexible electronics, robotics

Researchers have taken a key step toward the rapid manufacture of flexible computer screens and other stretchable electronic devices, including soft robots.