Semiconductors

Recent progress in renewables has bordered on the surreal. At ICREN Barcelona recently we were invited to consider those giant wind turbines sweeping 200 meters of sky. Up there the wind is stronger and more consistent and that size of turbine is more efficient.

Single crystal silicon photovoltaics will now be very affordable, obsoleting polycrystalline Si PV by having efficiency much higher. Laminating it onto supercapacitor sheeting will form a load bearing material that both makes and stores electricity, delivering it exceptionally fast when needed.

Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) have been known and explored for a very long time, but new innovations and an increased demand for high-performance lightweight materials means that they are finally ready to make it beyond their previous false starts.

Each year at the IDTechEx Show!, two companies are honoured for their achievements in developing and commercialising different aspects of wearable technology. This year the awards were judged by Dr Akira Sakaigawa (Huawei), Chris Chin (HTC Vive) and Heidi Dohse (Google) with support from the independent analyst team with IDTechEx Research.

Excitement is building in the printed and organic electronics sector as demand grows and investors focus in on the opportunities.

Exploring the commercialization of flexible electronics, one of the key focus points of this year's Printed Electronics USA event on November 15-16 in Santa Clara, CA.

IDTechEx's free, expert led webinars provide up-to-date insights on the latest emerging technology trends. You can now access these at a time that suits you, for up to one month.

More than 10 billion devices will be connected to low power IoT networks over the next decade.

Hyundai used to be a leader in buses but the explosion of the huge, protected Chinese market has resulted in the global leaders consisting entirely of Chinese companies growing their sales rapidly - mainly with pure electric buses - and Daimler, with declining sales.

A little known Canadian startup, Havelaar in Toronto has unveiled an all-electric pickup truck concept at the EMC show in Markham, Ontario. This Bison E-Pickup will be produced in Ontario. With the large center touchscreen, the interior of the vehicle is clearly inspired by Tesla, the company that is shaking the motor industry to its roots.