Smooth, functional surfaces that provide touch sensing, often with backlighting, are becoming increasingly common. Applications range from vehicle interiors and domestic appliances to medical devices and aircraft seating. Rather than relying on a mechanical or membrane switch, these surfaces utilize capacitive touch sensing - the same principle used in smartphone displays.

Integrating multiple functionalities within a single entity promises simpler, more efficient devices without compromising capability. Smartphones are a great example, with maps, diaries, phones, cameras, games consoles, and more integrated into a single, compact device.

Using graphene to improve the performance of energy storage devices has been a key focus ever since the 2D material was isolated. As soon as the first commercial graphene manufacturers were established, there has been a steady stream of announcements related to batteries, but perhaps none are as significant as the 2023 news of Evonik entering the field with their investment in SuperC.

Surfaces, be they in kitchen appliances, automotive interiors, medical devices, or even furniture, are becoming increasingly smart. Embedded lighting, touch sensitivity, heating, and even haptic feedback enables inanimate and often neglected surfaces into a design feature with seamlessly integrated user controls. But what is the best way to manufacture these smart surfaces?

Thursday 23 February 2023 - Opportunities for Integrated Functionality. In this webinar Dr Matthew Dyson, a Principal Technology Analyst at IDTechEx, will discuss the following topics: - The status of IME and competing approaches for creating functional and decorative interfaces across multiple application sectors. - The challenges and benefits associated with functionality integration, and how the value proposition of IME is likely to grow over time. - IME specific material requirements, especially for conductive inks. - A roadmap for IME adoption, segmented by industry.

Wednesday 8 February 2023 - Technological Developments and Applications. Contents that will be covered in this webinar include: An overview of PIC technology; Drivers of increased data demands from data centres; PIC trends in the communications industry; and PIC adoption in other markets

As high-performance computing, artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms, and even consumers become increasingly data-hungry, hardware struggles to keep pace. In addition, the need for real-time assessments of moving data points - such as for the accurate velocity-mapping of other objects in autonomous systems and facial recognition for security systems - is crucial to an increasingly hands-free society.

Is this the year of rapid graphene sales? Are we slipping deeper into a disillusionment phase? Who will emerge as the market leaders? Is consolidation inevitable? 2023 will be a telling year for the industry.

"Diverse and Developing" - the only way to describe the current breadth of the polymer materials portfolio for additive manufacturing. From materials that vary in form factor (i.e., powders, resins, filaments) to material properties (i.e., flexible, reinforced, tough, etc.) to application (i.e., medical, industrial, dental, etc.), it can be difficult to define suitable enough categories that adequately cover this diverse market.

Tuesday 29 November 2022 - This webinar includes case studies showing successful commercialization examples from 2022 across multiple market sectors; Discussion of anticipated announcements in 2023; Brief assessment of the status and potential of printed/flexible electronics; and Identification and assessment of technological gaps likely to be an R&D focus in 2023

Technology analyst Dr Bryony Core reports on her findings at the IDTechEx Show! Santa Clara 2018

In this article we will consider the existing and emerging applications of IME, looking at the latest prototypes, commercial success, etc. We will briefly examine value chain.

IDTechEx attended Imperial College's Composites Centre showcase event on 24th September 2018, which saw the centre open it's doors to a range of commercial, research and government organisations.

IDTechEx attended and presented at the International Aerogel Seminar held in Hamburg, Germany, between the 24th and 26th of September.

In this article we introduce in-mold electronics and consider its value proposition. Next, we will examine the requirements from IME compatible materials such as stretchability, stability, adhesion, etc. Finally, we will consider how the menu of IME materials is evo

IDTechEx Technology Analyst Dr Nadia Tsao attended the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS) World Congress 2018. The event was held between September 5 - 7, 2018 at the Kyoto International Conference Center in Kyoto, Japan. The World Congress is held every 3 years - chapter meetings (Europe, Americas, Asia Pacific) are held in the intervening years.

IDTechEx Technology Analyst Dr Nadia Tsao attended the Taiwan International 3D Printing Show 2018. The event was held between 29 August - 1 September, 2018 at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center.

Due to the numerous problems that remain in 3D bioprinting, researchers have been working on novel methods of biofabrication. This article gives an overview of the what's and how's of 3D bioprinting.

This premium article will give some of the key conversations with the most technically innovative companies that IDTechEx analysts spoke while at the show.

This article will highlight some of the key advancements surrounding automation for the composite industry.