Semiconductors

Printed/flexible electronics is a constantly evolving area with extensive scope for innovation. Here, IDTechEx outlines three of the most exciting technological highlights in the sector.

In total, IDTechEx Research forecast that the market for specialized solution processable materials for printed/flexible electronics will reach $6.9Bn by 2031.

IDTechEx have released a new market research report on materials for printed/flexible electronics - materials for OLEDs, photovoltaics (OPV), thin film transistors (OTFTs), photodetectors (OPDs). Also carbon nanotubes, perovskites, quantum dots, functional inorganic inks, component attachment materials, conductive inks.

IDTechEx predicts that over 50K gas sensors will be installed in Germany alone in 2021 and the demand for CO2 gas sensors globally will exceed 1 million units if other European countries and the new US government will decide to follow the same path.

Apple has integrated 5G into all four newly announced iPhones. The news certainly sends a positive signal to the 5G industry, but many challenges await before 5G becomes ubiquitous.

The market for 5G devices is expanding rapidly, several 5G smartphones are now available on the market, with manufacturers emphasizing the benefits of low latency and high download rates. However, 5G still faces many challenges, especially in the infrastructure.

Join the webinar 23rd September - Introduction to changes in telecommunications infrastructure; choice of semiconductor technology for sub-6 GHz and mmWave 5G; case studies of sub-6 GHz and mmWave antenna and more.

When considering the prospects of an emerging technology, it is easy to make broad-brush claims. For example, stating that 'greater numbers of connected devices, commonly referred to as the Internet of Things (IoT), will increase demand for printed sensors' seems an uncontroversial statement.

Radar uptake in vehicles will continue its increase, driven both by an increase in the number of adopting cars and by the radar content per vehicle. Both trends are driven by the increasing adoption of ADAS and will be sustained and strengthened in the longer term by the emergence of highly automated or autonomous driving.

The new IDTechEx report, "Materials Opportunities in Emerging Photovoltaics 2020-2040", is based on interviews by multi-lingual, PhD level IDTechEx analysts across the world and 20 years tracking the research and applications. They predict $38 billion dollars in 2040 without colliding with the silicon-in-glass "power station" business. There will be many opportunities for premium pricing of its new specialist materials.