Sensors, Haptics & Displays

RFID was invented seven decades ago, however, 23% of all the RFID tags ever sold were sold in 2013. In 2014, a further 1.12 billion RFID tags will be sold versus the total number of tags sold in 2013.

Structural electronics (SE) is one of the most important emerging technologies in this century.

Energy harvesting is producing electricity where it is needed using ambient power. The term is most commonly applied to small devices such as in the emerging market for Wireless Sensor Networks that the Koreans call Ubiquitous Sensor Networks. However, there is emerging very large business for energy harvesting as structural electronics

In 2012 347 million people worldwide had diabetes according to the World Health Organization. Disposable glucose test strips have improved the lives of millions of diabetic patients who need to monitor their blood glucose level on a regular basis.

IDTechEx, the global market research, technology scouting and events firm, finds that in 2014 three technologies - OLED displays, sensors and conductive ink - make up 99% of the $23.97 billion market for printed, organic and flexible electronics.

The unique market research report "Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: Electric UAVs 2014-2024" examines what will be achieved and the enabling technologies that will make it possible.

OLED displays are the biggest opportunity for flexible encapsulation and for that reason IDTechEx has highlighted the most significant advances in the technology in its recently updated report on the topic "Barrier Layers for Flexible Electronics 2015-2025: Technologies, Markets, Forecasts".

Overall, the opportunity for energy harvesting will reach $2.6 Billion in the next decade according to IDTechEx research, with this year and next seemingly being key in starting the wave of increased product commercialization and volume growth.

The Apple Watch was officially announced earlier this month, with the promise that it will come with a flexible display. However, there is some confusion about what the term means and what the benefits are for consumers. Dr Guillaume Chansin, co-author of the IDTechEx report "OLED Display Forecasts 2014-2024: the rise of plastic and flexible displays" gives his view on flexible displays.

Electronics embedded within the structure of bridges, walkways, EVs, aircraft and more, have the potential to be a $60 billion market by 2025.