ARTICLES

  • Flexible electronics is the mounting of electronic devices on flexible plastic substrate like polyamide, or transparent conductive polyester film. The growth of flexible electronics market rose with the development of flexible solar cell arrays, flexible OLED electronics on plastic substrates, flat-panel electronics, medical image sensors and electronic paper. Revenue generation will be fuelled by stable growth of consumer electronics segment, flexible displays, manufacturing of photovoltaic (PV) solar cells, automobile, healthcare, energy and power sectors. Government support in the form of funding for several research projects will impact the industry growth positively. Healthy demand for smart glasses, e-books, smartphones, smart watches, and e-papers is expected to catapult market growth over the next eight years. Read more in Asia Pacific to drive flexible electronics market estimated to cross US$87000 mln by 2024
  • Functional textiles are an enabling technology for communications and sensing - and one day even medical applications like imaging and health monitoring. A patented fabrication method will help create prototype wearables at a fraction of the cost and in half the time as they could only two years ago. The e-textiles are created in part on a typical tabletop sewing machine that embroiders fine silver metal wires into fabric. We could see shirts that act as antennas for smart phone or tablet, workout clothes that monitor fitness level, sports equipment that monitors athlete performance, a bandage that indicates healing of the tissue beneath, a flexible fabric cap that senses activity in the brain. Read more in Functional textiles enabling technology for communications and sensing for medical applications
  • Smart textile help to regulate body temperature, control muscle vibrations, and protect from environmental hazards such as radiation. The growing usage of nanotechnology in producing fabrics with special functionality such as water and stain resistant, UV protection, and anti-bacterial has boosted the growth of this market. Application sectors include military and defense, healthcare, automotive, entertainment, sports and fitness, and others including architecture and fashion, led by demand from military and defense sector. To know about the newer technologies, newer functions, factors that have led to increased demand for wearable technologies and smart textiles across all application segments, the leading region and the region with growing investment in research and development, read Global smart textile market to witness CAGR of over 30% uptil 2023 amid growing applications of nanotechnology
  • The wearable devices market, currently comprising of smart watches, fitness bands and health-monitoring devices is at a nascent stage of growth and currently afforded by a limited and niche customer base. Smart bands made up the majority of shipments in 2015, but smart watches are expected to account for more market share by 2020. The memory storage use in these devices is growing exponentially, almost doubling every 2 years. Growth of this industry is majorly driven by factors such as high adoption rate of digital devices, convergence of technologies and penetration of wireless connectivity. Major challenges include lack of design features, higher power consumption of wearable devices, high initial cost and users’ concerns regarding data privacy. Read more in Market for wearable electronics, largely dominated by North America, poised to register CAGR of over 25%
  • The world’s fastest stretchable, wearable integrated circuit has been unveiled. This is a platform for manufacturers seeking to expand the capabilities and applications of wearable electronics- including those with biomedical applications - particularly as they strive to develop devices that take advantage of a new generation of wireless broadband technologies referred to as 5G. Another team has created a self-healing, flexible material that could be used inside electronics even after multiple breaks. An ultrathin film that is both transparent and highly conductive to electric current has been produced by a cheap and simple method devised by an international team. It is also bendable and stretchable, offering potential applications in roll-up touchscreen displays, wearable electronics, flexible solar cells and electronic skin. Read more in Polymers aid transparent, highly conductive ultrathin film; fast and stretchy circuits for wearable electronics