Researchers have developed tools to help trainee surgeons master intricate surgical procedures in the form of surgical gloves containing electronics to record the subtle, fast and controlled hand movements of skilled surgeons.

This premium article delves into the InnoLAE conference, held virtually from 22nd to 24th February 2022. It will look into some of the most interesting and commercially relevant presentations in materials, technologies and manufacturing methods, and applications.

While 3D electronics has long been used for adding antennas and simple conductive interconnects to the surface of 3D injection-molded plastic objects, more complex circuits are increasingly being added onto surfaces made from a variety of materials by utilizing new techniques.

This premium article delves into scalable deposition methods for thin film photovoltaics. It introduces thin film photovoltaics and explores different deposition techniques, including sputtering, chemical vapour deposition, inkjet printing, and more.

A research team has improved the performance of a p-type semiconductor transistor using inorganic metal halide perovskite. One of the biggest advantages of the new technology is that it enables solution-processed perovskite transistors to be simply printed as semiconductor-like circuits.

'What gets measured gets managed' is a well-known adage in business, but could it also be applied to mitigating the effects of climate change? The recently published IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) report emphasizes the importance of adaptation alongside emission reduction.

Researchers have found a way to prevent electrical malfunctions in yarns designed to store electrical energy. Ultimately, the findings could help advance the development of "smart textiles" that would capture energy from the wearer's movements and power sensors and wearable electronics.

PragmatIC Semiconductor is proud to unveil PragmatIC Park, Durham, UK as the site for installation of its second FlexLogIC fabrication line producing ultra-low-cost flexible integrated circuits.

Wireless sensors can monitor how temperature, humidity or other environmental conditions vary across large swaths of land, such as farms or forests. These tools could provide unique insights for a variety of applications, including digital agriculture and monitoring climate change.

Inspired by the human ear, a new acoustic fabric converts audible sounds into electrical signals.

The revolutionary promise of nanocarbons has been touted for more than 3 decades, but despite the extraordinary properties and commercial hype, the success has been limited - until now. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) may not be as glamorous as their younger sibling graphene, but IDTechEx forecast the annual demand to exceed 70 ktpa by 2032 as for the first time the manufacturers experience a mass-market pull rather than a material push.

Materials scientists have discovered the major reason why perovskite solar cells — which show great promise for improved energy-conversion efficiency — degrade in sunlight, causing their performance to suffer over time. The team successfully demonstrated a simple manufacturing adjustment to fix the cause of the degradation, clearing the biggest hurdle toward the widespread adoption of the thin-film solar cell technology.

This premium article looks into the TechBlick conference, held virtually on 9th March 2022. The event focused on printed and hybrid electronics, with presentations on materials, methods, and applications, which are explored in this article. It will delve into presentations from companies including Panasonic Electronic Materials, Holst Centre, and Neotech AMT, with discussions surrounding developments in printing methods, demonstrations of smart packaging for pharmaceuticals, and more.

E Ink announced they have joined the Climate Pledge, co-founded by Amazon to commit to becoming net-zero carbon by 2040, and are the first display company to join. In December 2021, E Ink announced their pledge to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2040. E Ink plans to be RE 10 by the end of 2022, and would be the first display company to achieve RE 10.

The MWC event in Barcelona earlier this month gathered more than 60,000 mobile experts from all around the world. From digital applications to network infrastructure, IDTechEx was there to cover major developments in the industry! Here are some of the key trends we observed at MWC2022 Barcelona.

Engineering researchers have invented an advanced brain-computer interface with a flexible and moldable backing and penetrating microneedles. Adding a flexible backing to this kind of brain-computer interface allows the device to more evenly conform to the brain's complex curved surface and to more uniformly distribute the microneedles that pierce the cortex. The microneedles, which are 10 times thinner than the human hair, protrude from the flexible backing, penetrate the surface of the brain tissue without piercing surface venules, and record signals from nearby nerve cells evenly across a wide area of the cortex.

Graphene is often portrayed as the ultimate conductor, thanks to its flexibility and to its excellent conductivity. However, research has shown that the electrical and the structural quality of graphene are intimately connected, and that nanoscale lattice deformations caused by surface corrugations limit the mobility of electrons in graphene.

ELSYS is launching their first battery-free products using Epishine's indoor light energy harvesting solution. The environmentally friendly sensor line is launching two sensor types called ERS Eco and ERS Eco CO2. They are entirely powered by Epishine's indoor solar cells and are made from biodegradable materials.

This premium article investigates the instability challenges facing the commercialization of perovskite PV. It provides an overview of how degradation occurs, including both environmental factors and intrinsic material traits. This article also discusses the advantages and disadvantages of stabilising the perovskite film through material engineering and the various external encapsulation methods that are being explored.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted a key target market for metal additive manufacturing - aviation. Additionally, global supply chain disruptions have led companies to re-evaluate their operations. Within this environment, how has metal additive manufacturing fared?