Cloud computing/big data and 3D printing and (of course), the internet of things (IoT) are the three technologies most likely to transform the world during the next five years, according to technology market analyst IHS Technology. These are the technologies which could change the world the Gutenberg printing press to the steam engine to the microchip. So IHS Technology gathered ...
Market Research
Technologies to watch in 2015
8-bit microcontrollers on steroids Microchip, the 8-bit microcontroller supremo, believes even quite sophisticated motor control can implemented with an 8-bit microcontroller. The firm is questioning the assumption that high end motor control requires the performance of a 32-bit ARM microcontroller or indeed its own 32bit MIPS-based MCUs. “We refuse to commoditise the 8-bit microcontroller, we are investing in the PIC ...
10 chip firms to make it big in 2015
We take a look at ten chip firms well placed to make it big in 2015, from the NFC design-based platform AppNearMe to Melexis MEMS sensors…
2014 was a good year for thermoelectric energy harvesting
Up to 2014, there was only limited interest in thermoelectric energy harvesting in general and its use in automotive applications in particular. For instance, BMW had worked on it for 20 years without bringing anything to market. The theoretical maximum attainable efficiency was known to be one half of that for photovoltaics and some other options and the actual achievement ...
Outlook 2015: German market holds steady
Germany’s electronics market is holding up despite the weakness in the Euro Zone. The outlook is also positive with Germany still seen as an electronics manufacturing powerhouse, battling against the trend in off-shoring. According to Georg Steinberger, the chairman of the component distribution industry body, the FBDi: “The German market not only has its specialties such as a large share ...
Big year for holograms to fight counterfeiters in 2015
Holograms will be used to step up the fight against counterfeiting in 2015. But while security applications remain the most valuable for the industry, 2015 is also expected to see substantial growth in the production of holographic optical elements (HOEs) for use in automotive displays and lighting, as well as for general lighting control, says Ian Lancaster, the general secretary ...
SEMI book-to-bill goes positive
The SEMI book-to-bill went positive in November after a negative ratio in October and September.
Sales of chip manufacturing equipment up 19% this year, 15% next year
SEMI projects that worldwide sales of new semiconductor manufacturing equipment will increase 19.3% to $38 billion in 2014.
Supercapacitors: is it time for the electric vehicle market?
Supercapacitor market leader Maxwell Technologies has faltered temporarily due to phasing of demand for supercapacitors on Chinese hybrid buses. One of the most formidable innovators it now sells large stacks for grid management and for energy harvesting in large construction vehicles. The recent IDTechEx Supercapacitors event in Santa Clara, California taught us more. Supercapacitor companies have been bought or closed ...
Wearables market expects big fitness boom
Market research indicates that fitness wearables in-use will almost treble by 2018, compared to an estimated 19 million in-use devices this year. A new report by Juniper Research predicts that fitness is to remain the dominant wearables segment until that time, driven by intuitive use cases and lower retail prices. However, the broader appeal of smart watches will mean that they ...
