Search Results

The Sydney-based solar technology start-up "SunDrive Solar" has developed a commercial-size silver-free silicon PV cell that elevated the new world record for the efficiency at which its solar cells convert sunlight to electricity to 25.54%. "Silver is a core component in today’s solar panels. It is estimated solar panel manufacturing accounts for about 20% of the world’s annual consumption of the precious metal, with the volume expected to rise steeply as the next generation of high-efficiency cells currently being developed require up to three times more silver than their antecedents. Copper doesn’t have the same highly conductive properties as silver and does not adhere well to the surface of the solar cell but Allen, who along with former flatmate David Hu founded SunDrive in 2015, has found a solution. And a much more affordable one." "The result is a major shake-up for the industry with China-based solar cell manufacturers topping the efficiency records in recent years. Manufacturing giant Longi Solar held the previous top mark for a commercial-size monocrystalline hetero-junction (HJT) solar cell, achieving 25.26% during testing at ISFH earlier this year. While SunDrive celebrated the world record, the company’s technology – which replaces the expensive silver used in conventional solar cells with the cheaper and more abundant copper – could have greater ramifications, potentially lowering the manufacturing cost of solar PV panels." "In terms of our timeline, we're planning to have a commercial-sized module containing our solar cells at the end of this year, which is representative of what we could put on a roof or in a solar farm," Allen said. "We're also focused on building our pilot production line by end of next year with panels ready maybe by the first half of 2023." For more information, visit https://www.pv-magazine-australia.com/2021/09/10/australian-start-up-sets-25-54-efficiency-record-for-silicon-cell/ https://interestingengineering.com/australia-created-the-most-efficient-solar-cell-ever-with-no-silver

"The US battery R&D company Ionobell, awards FOM Technologies a contract for Slot Die coating equipment. The sale will be via our strategic partner in US M. Braun Inc." "FOM is happy to announce the sale of our flagship machine to the California-based company Ionobell. Ionobell is a battery R&D company with expertise in battery material and cell development. Ionobell is specialized in silicon battery manufacturing for the Automotive industry." CEO Michael Stadi states: “The sale underlines and supports the effort, we at FOM has put into designing products for the booming EV industry. As with all our customers, we’ll make sure that the science team of Ionobell, will get all our support and insight to our technology to create a long-term relationship.” Source: https://www.fomtechnologies.com/news/us-battery-rd-company-awards-fom-new-contract

"Xiaomi has developed a monochrome microLED screen for smart glasses to display the real-time translation of text and audio. An AI engine can translate text from pictures taken by a 5Mpxel camera and display them in real-time on the glasses." Xiaomi says it went with a monochrome MicroLED system because of its “higher pixel density and longer lifespan while having a simpler structure” when compared to OLED. According to Xiaomi, MicroLED “allows for a more compact display, as well as easier screen integration.” "MicroLED is a self-emissive display technology that is widely viewed as the natural successor to OLED. However, it remains prohibitively expensive and is yet to be deployed in more than a handful of commercial products." "The Xiaomi's smart glasses design has 497 components and weighs 51g. The monochrome display chip in the Xiaomi smart glasses measures 2.4mm x 2.02mm with 4μm individual pixels to fit within the frame of the glasses. To allow sufficient light to pass through complicated optical structures before reaching the eye even in harsh direct sunlight, the developers used a monochrome display with a peak brightness of 2 million nits." "By adopting optical waveguide technology which refracts lights at 180°, the MicroLED display accurately transmits light beams to the human eye through the microscopic grating structure of the optical waveguide lens. The grating structure etched onto the inner surface of the lens allows light to be refracted into the eye with multiple beams, allowing the eye to build up a complete image. This is performed in a single lens, instead of using complicated multiples lens systems, mirrors, or half mirrors. This reduces the device size and weight." "As well as the display chip, the 497 components include sensors, touchpad and communication modules, and a Xiaomi AI Assistant as the primary interaction method. The 5MP camera on the front of the glasses can also take photos and translate text into photos, which is highly convenient when traveling. Using the dual beamforming microphone with a proprietary translating algorithm, Xiaomi Smart Glasses can also transcribe audio into text with translations in real-time. Like the Facebook Ray-bans, The indicator light next to the camera will illuminate when the camera is in use to indicate that photos are being taken. The Xiaomi AI agent also selects and pushes the most important messages, such as smart home alarms, urgent information from office apps, and messages from important contacts." "The glasses use a quad-core ARM processor, battery, touchpad, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth modules, and Android operating system". "Xiaomi s reported to have at least 34 investments in semiconductor companies in China over the last two years to secure its supply chain in both design and manufacturing." Sources: https://www.eenewseurope.com/news/ai-translation-smart-glasses-drives-microled-display https://www.theverge.com/2021/9/14/22673144/xiaomi-smart-glasses-announced-microled-display-ar

Optomec Inc. recently announced that one of its long-time production customers purchased another five Aerosol Jet 3D Electronics Printers, bringing its total count overtime to 15 systems. The $1+ million order is part of a production ramp plan that will grow to more than 25 systems over the next 12 months. "Optomec’s patented Aerosol Jet 3D Electronics Printers are an additive electronics solution uniquely capable of directly printing high-resolution conductive circuitry, with feature sizes as small as 10 microns. The process is further differentiated by its ability to print onto non-planar substrates and fully 3-dimensional end-parts. Production applications include direct printing of 3D antennas, 3D sensors, medical electronics, semiconductor packaging, and display assembly." "A primary high-value use case in semiconductor packaging is the printing of 3D interconnects to connect chips to other chips, traditional circuit boards, and even directly integrated into end-products, such as wearables. In this case, the process replaces legacy wire-bonding due to its advantages in terms of smaller space claim, lower loss (especially in high frequency and mmWave), and greater mechanical reliability." “This most recent multi-system 3D additive electronics order is further testimony to the production viability of Optomec’s solutions,” said David Ramahi, Optomec CEO. “We look forward to supporting this industry-leading user as they continue to grow their fleet of production systems, and likewise replicating this proof statement with others in need of next-generation semiconductor packaging solutions.” "Optomec is a privately held, rapidly growing supplier of additive manufacturing systems. Its patented Aerosol Jet Systems for printed electronics, and LENS and Huffman brand 3D printers for metal component production and repair, are used by industry to reduce product cost and improve performance. Together, these unique printing solutions work with the broadest spectrum of functional materials, ranging from electronic inks to structural metals and even biological matter. Optomec has delivered more than 500 of its proprietary additive manufacturing systems to more than 200 marquee customers around the world, for production applications in the electronics, energy, life sciences, and aerospace industries. Its users include countless blue-chip manufacturing companies, such as GE, Samsung, Raytheon, Siemens, Lockheed, and LiteOn, as well as the US Air Force, US Navy, US Army, and NASA." Source:https://ope-journal.com/news/optomec-receives-large-order-for-3d-printed-electronics-production-at-oem

Group of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center & St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital have published in Science Translational Medicine "MXene-infused bioelectronic interfaces for multiscale electrophysiology and stimulation" a flexible MXene electrode that record brain activity, electromyography to measure muscle activation, electrocardiography to monitor heart activity, and electrooculography to map eye movement. "Soft bioelectronic interfaces for mapping and modulating excitable networks at high resolution and at a large scale can enable paradigm-shifting diagnostics, monitoring, and treatment strategies. Yet, current technologies largely rely on materials and fabrication schemes that are expensive, do not scale, and critically limit the maximum attainable resolution and coverage. Solution processing is a cost-effective manufacturing alternative, but biocompatible conductive inks matching the performance of conventional metals are lacking. Here, we introduce MXtrodes, a class of soft, high-resolution, large-scale bioelectronic interfaces enabled by Ti3C2 MXene (a two-dimensional transition metal carbide nanomaterial), and scalable solution processing. We show that the electrochemical properties of MXtrodes exceed those of conventional materials and do not require conductive gels when used in epidermal electronics. Furthermore, we validate MXtrodes in applications ranging from mapping large-scale neuromuscular networks in humans to cortical neural recording and microstimulation in swine and rodent models." "Electrodes were fabricated in planar or three-dimensional forms and were applied to the skin of volunteers for use with electroencephalography to record brain activity, electromyography to measure muscle activation, electrocardiography to monitor heart activity, and electrooculography to map eye movement. The electrode arrays could also be implanted in pigs and rats for intraoperative monitoring and stimulation of the brain and showed compatibility with magnetic resonance and computed tomography imaging. These flexible interfaces have potential clinical utility for multiscale epidermal sensing and neuromodulation."

Speaker: Jonathan Waldern | Company: META (Metamaterial) | Date: 11-12 May 2021 | Full Presentation Bio This presentation reviews two of META’s key technology development strands: metaOPTIX™ holographic optical technology and NanoWeb® transparent conductive nanostructures metaOPTIX™ holographic optical components are fabricated on META’s Holography platform. Interference patterns are recorded with a laser into a light-sensitive photopolymer material to form Volume Holographic Gratings (VHGs), which transmit or reflect light in various ways, depending on the geometric structure of the recorded pattern. NANOWEB® is a transparent conductor made of an invisible metal mesh that can be fabricated onto any glass or plastic surface. It offers a superior alternative to Indium Tin Oxide (ITO), Silver Nanowire (AgNW), graphene and carbon nanotube among other ITO-alternative technologies. Join TechBlick on an annual pass to join all live online conference or online version of onsite conference access library of on-demand talks (600 talks + PDFs) portfolio of expert led masterclass year-round platform https://www.techblick.com/ And do NOT miss our flagship event in Berlin on 17-18 OCT 2023 focused on Reshaping the Future of Electronics. This event attracts 550-600 participants from all the world and offers a superb ambience and dynamic exhibition floor. To learn more visit https://www.techblick.com/electronicsreshaped To see feedback about previous event see https://www.techblick.com/events-agenda

Researchers from Penn State's Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics have published ACS Applied Materials & interfaces paper "Strain-Tunable Microfluidic Devices with Crack and Wrinkle Microvalves for Microsphere Screening and Fluidic Logic Gates" highlighting a simple, low-cost, efficient way to fabricate strain-tunable elastomeric micropatterns as microvalves in a microfluidic device. “The crack microvalves are closed before stretching but open as the tensile strain increases, whereas the wrinkle microvalves exhibit the opposite trend. The microfluidic device with crack and wrinkle microvalves is demonstrated for microparticle screening and fluidic logic operation in a programmable manner. The applied tensile strain changes the width and depth of the crack microvalves to control the selective transport of microparticles of different sizes. When the crack and wrinkle microvalves are integrated into the single microfluidic device, the fluid can be modulated to flow through the microvalves in a manner that represents the operation of the OR or AND logic gates. These controllable valves to adjust the reaction time and volume represent a viable path toward large-scale integration for potential applications in multiliquid, multistep sample preparation, and reagent processing. The programmable microfluidic system demonstrated in this study opens up additional opportunities to complement the prior reports in applications ranging from biomedicine and organ-on-chips to drug delivery and reagent mixing. However, PDMS is prone to swelling in many organic solvents. Although the application of the device with PDMS is limited (aqueous solutions), the concept from this study can be applied to the other soft materials that are stable in the target organic solvent.”

A team of researchers at the Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research "SANKEN" at Osaka University and Joanneum Research has succeeded in precisely tune the electronic properties of organic polymer by exposing it to UV light. Their work "Heterogeneous Functional Dielectric Patterns for Charge-Carrier Modulation in Ultraflexible Organic Integrated Circuits" can help in commercializing the flexible electronics that are used in healthcare monitoring and data processing. "While the integrated circuits inside your smartphone are quite impressive, they lack certain important features. Because the electronics are silicon-based, they are very rigid, both in the literal sense of being inflexible, as well as having chemical properties that are not easily altered. Newer devices, including OLED displays, are made from carbon-based organic molecules with chemical properties that can be tuned by scientists to produce the most efficient circuits. However, controlling the characteristics of organic transistors usually requires the integration of complex structures made of various materials. The team has used UV light to precisely change the chemical structure of a dielectric polymer called PNDPE. The light breaks specific bonds in the polymer, which can then rearrange into new versions, or create crosslinks between strands. The longer the light is on, the more the polymer gets altered. By using a shadow mask, the UV light is applied to just the desired areas, tuning the circuit behavior. This method can pattern transistors of the desired threshold voltage with high spatial resolution using just a single material". "This study demonstrated the formation of the HFDP with the use of PNDPE as an ultrathin polymer gate dielectric to modulate the behavior of the charge carriers. The HFDP are obtained with a high-resolution of less than 18 µm. With the charge-carrier modulation via the photo-Fries rearrangement in the PNDPE gate dielectrics, the Vth of the PNDPE-based transistors were programmably controlled over a wide range from −1.5 to +0.2 V at an operational voltage of 2 V, indicating that both the enhancement and depletion transistors are arbitrarily fabricated. The modulated Vth remained unchanged over a period of 140 days during the LED exposure test and under a bias duration of 1800 s. The charge-carrier modulation was achieved by controlling the acceptor-like traps. The PNDPE forms dense and uniform gate dielectrics due to the catalytic ring-opening metathesis polymerization, resulting in ultrathin PNDPE films of a thickness of 14 nm. The transistor also exhibited high mechanical flexibility, in which the characteristics did not significantly vary even at a bending radius of 0.3 mm." "In the future, we may see smart versions of almost everything, from medicine bottles to safety vests. "Meeting the computational demands of 'the Internet of Things' will very likely require flexible electronic solutions," senior author Tsuyoshi Sekitani says. In particular, this technology can be applied to ming methods for ultra-lightweight wearable healthcare devices."O Sources https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/929046 https://www.sensortechresearch.com/articles/24808/tuning-flexible-circuits-with-light?rsst2id=1%2C4%2C8&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium

Researchers from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Rutgers University-New Brunswick have created a biosensor microchip that does an accurate continuous readout of cortisol levels for real-time analysis and can be integrated into the wristband. They published their work in Science Advance "Single-step label-free nanowell immunoassay accurately quantifies serum stress hormones within minutes" "Cortisol and other stress hormones regulate many aspects of our physical and mental health, including sleep quality. High levels of cortisol can result in poor sleep, which increases stress that can contribute to panic attacks, heart attacks, and other ailments. Currently, measuring cortisol takes costly and cumbersome laboratory setups, so the Rutgers-led team looked for a way to monitor its natural fluctuations in daily life and provide patients with feedback that allows them to receive the right treatment at the right time. The researchers used the same technologies used to fabricate computer chips to build sensors thinner than a human hair that can detect biomolecules at low levels." "This study aims to bring laboratory-quality diagnostic to point of care and patient self-testing at a lower cost, and cortisol was chosen as a model analyte. The primary challenge faced by label-free technologies stems from measurement inconsistency, thus not being suitable for reliable quantification of molecular levels. The array structure of the sensor increases the probability of diffusion of the analyte and its subsequent binding to the sensor active area. Moreover, the sensor platform concentrates the electric field into the small volume of wells and reduces the noise from electrode polarization effect and solution conductivity, thereby producing a more accurate and reliable response. These systems can allow a continuous readout of cortisol levels for real-time analysis of patients subjected to stress and have great potential to be adapted to noninvasive cortisol measurement in desired biofluids such as human saliva and urine." "The use of nanosensors allowed us to detect cortisol molecules directly without the need for any other molecules or particles to act as labels,” said lead author Reza Mahmoodi, a postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. With technologies like the team’s new microchip, patients can monitor their hormone levels and better manage chronic inflammation, stress, and other conditions at a lower cost, said senior author Mehdi Javanmard, an associate professor in Rutgers’ Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. “Our new sensor produces an accurate and reliable response that allows a continuous readout of cortisol levels for real-time analysis,” he added. “It has great potential to be adapted to non-invasive cortisol measurement in other fluids such as saliva and urine. The fact that molecular labels are not required eliminates the need for large bulky instruments like optical microscopes and plate readers, making the readout instrumentation something you can measure ultimately in a small pocket-sized box or even fit onto a wristband one day." Source https://www.rutgers.edu/news/new-microchip-sensor-measures-stress-hormones-drop-blood

Brilliant Matters, one of the exhibitors on the TechBlick Platform for Emerging Technologies, has announced a strategic investment to accelerate production of their high-performing, reliable and scalable Semiconductors for Printed Electronics. Brilliant Matters is proud to announce the closing of an oversubscribed $3.5M seed round. The round was led by Ecofuel Fund, a specialized and dedicated cleantech fund, together with Investissement Québec, Anges Québec and GSI Creos Corporation. Founded in 2016, the company uses an innovative clean and reliable production method to produce a new generation of printable and flexible semiconductors that offers an eco-friendlier and cost-effective alternative to traditional electronics. Using their proprietary process, Brilliant Matters’ polymers and compounds were able to increase the performance and stability of organic printed solar modules, two key competitive factors in the solar energy market. Owing to the impact of this technological advance, Brilliant Matters has received this investment to scale up production in the market. Furthermore, the company will also expand into other high value markets that will benefit from their technology, such as photodetectors, memory chips, and IOT applications. “The Brilliant Matters project holds great promise for Quebec, both economically and in terms of sustainable development. By giving young companies the means to bring innovative and environmentally responsible products to market, we are creating the conditions for a forward-looking and globally competitive economy. This is exactly the type of project we wanted to see come to life with the Impulsion PME program,” says Lucie Lecours, Minister for the Economy. “The Ecofuel fund is a pillar in the search for innovations that have significant environmental impact. Brilliant Matters has succeeded in developing a revolutionary sustainable production process that enables the manufacturing of several materials for a new generation of organic printed solar modules and semiconductors. The quality of the management team and the financial partners is key for growth", describes Richard Cloutier, Managing Partner of the Ecofuel Fund. Together with the help of long-time partner and now investor GSI Creos, Brilliant Matters also plans to greatly expand commercialization efforts. “The company philosophy of GSI Creos and the evolutionary direction of Brilliant Matters are in line with each other.” says Takashi Yanagisawa, Executive Officer of GSI Creos. “We are very excited to collaborate with BM to improve the global environment and grow the Energy Harvesting industry thanks to this wonderful partnership.” Anticipating highly increased demand, Brilliant Matters will scale up manufacturing operations to produce hundreds of kilograms per year. Yanagisawa continues, “We invested in Brilliant Matters because their unique synthesis technology is Green, and their IP portfolio is clear. We are convinced of BM's bright future in “Deep Tech” and their approach that will meet the clean technology needs of the world and society.” This scale up would not only be a milestone for Brilliant Matters, but would also help the organic semiconductor industry as a whole to rapidly adopt new innovations that will have a major impact on the environment. “We are pleased to support Brilliant Matters, a promising player in the semiconductor industry, by taking part in this round of financing”, says Guy LeBlanc, President and CEO of Investissement Québec. “With the Impulsion PME program, which Investissement Québec administers on behalf of the government, we are able to support the development of young, innovative businesses in the start-up phase that have strong growth potential, in every region of Québec. Our participation helps Québec businesses attract the interest of other venture capital investors and provides all the tools they need to be an active part of the economic recovery, whatever their stage of development.” About Brilliant Matters: Brilliant Matters was created by passionate material scientists to fulfill the need for a reliable supply of next generation organic semiconductors. By using innovative chemical processes, we provide value-added and environmentally friendly solutions to emerging printed electronics technologies. The company was founded in 2016 and now offers a state-of-the-art line of highpurity products for the organic photovoltaic industry. The company is growing rapidly and plans to expand to several new markets and scale-up its production capacity in Q4 2021. www.Brilliantmatters.com About Ecofuel Fund: For more information on Ecofuel Fund, please visit: www.fondsecofuel.ca About Ange Québec: Thanks to the strength and diversity of its network, Anges Québec strategically accompanies angel investors and passionate and innovative entrepreneurs in their international ambitions. Founded in 2008, Anges Québec has over 230 members who have so far invested over $125 million in more than 160 Quebec high growth potential companies, positioning itself a leader in the Québec venture capital industry. https://angesquebec.com/ About GSI Creos GSI Creos Corporation is an International Trading Company based in Japan. They focus on business integration and production, and work with a wide range of companies from materials to finished products, all within the industrial and textile sectors. https://www.gsi.co.jp/en/index.html

Engineers at Purdue University have published ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces paper “Ultrawhite BaSO4 Paints and Films for Remarkable Daytime Subambient Radiative Cooling” where they created the world's whitest paint that could eliminate the need for air conditioning and reflects 98.1% of solar radiation while also emitting infrared heat. “Radiative cooling is a passive cooling technology that offers great promises to reduce space cooling cost, combat the urban island effect, and alleviate the global warming. To achieve passive daytime radiative cooling, current state-of-the-art solutions often utilize complicated multilayer structures or a reflective metal layer, limiting their applications in many fields. Attempts have been made to achieve passive daytime radiative cooling with single-layer paints, but they often require a thick coating or show partial daytime cooling. In this work, we experimentally demonstrate remarkable full-daytime sub-ambient cooling performance with both BaSO4 nanoparticle films and BaSO4 nanocomposite paints. BaSO4 has a high electron band gap for low solar absorptance and phonon resonance at 9 μm for high sky window emissivity. With an appropriate particle size and a broad particle size distribution, the BaSO4 nanoparticle film reaches an ultrahigh solar reflectance of 97.6% and a high sky window emissivity of 0.96. During field tests, the BaSO4 film stays more than 4.5 °C below ambient temperature or achieves an average cooling power of 117 W/m2. The BaSO4-acrylic paint is developed with a 60% volume concentration to enhance the reliability in outdoor applications, achieving a solar reflectance of 98.1% and a sky window emissivity of 0.95. Field tests indicate similar cooling performance to the BaSO4 films. Overall, our BaSO4-acrylic paint shows a standard figure of merit of 0.77, which is among the highest of radiative cooling solutions while providing great reliability, convenient paint form, ease of use, and compatibility with the commercial paint fabrication process” Resources https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/659962-whitest-paint https://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2021/Q3/purdue-record-for-the-whitest-paint-appears-in-latest-edition-of-guinness-world-records.html

LG Chem, one of the LG firms, has developed a cover window, using their innovative flexible coating material that can fold like plastic while keeping its strength, durability, and glass-like appearance. LG Chem’s cover window, which is a protective element over the screen and digitizers is referred to as a “Real Folding window” which is a few millimeters thick that can be folded more than 200,000 times before showing any signs of wear. What makes LG Chem’s foldable screen a significant breakthrough in the foldable smartphone industry, is that it can be folded both inwards and outwards allowing a vast of configurations on the screen displays using LG Chem’s innovative coating material. The Real Folding window is developed by coating both sides of PET film, a type of thin plastic, with micrometers thick LG Chem’s coated materials which could enhance the heat-resistance, mechanical properties of the plastic materials. This makes the cover window not only thinner than the existed tempered glass but also the same thickness without any cracking in the screen. “LG Chem is also developing technologies to produce a thin 'Real Folding Window' with only coating and not needing PET films.” "Unlike existing polyimide films and tempered glass-type materials, the cover window that applied LG Chem's new coating technologies will maximize flexibility, while also providing optimized solutions for foldable phones such as making improvements to chronic issues like fold impressions on the connecting part of the screen." Chang Do Ki (Vice President IT Materials Division. Advanced Materials) commented, "Through the Real Folding Window that we newly developed, we were able to take a step closer to resolving the pain points of customers, and we have already received proposals for joint projects from multiple clients." He added, "We will strengthen our partnerships with leading companies of the smartphone industry and expand our market starting with mobiles and going on to new foldable applications such as laptops and tablets." Resource https://www.printedelectronicsworld.com/articles/24737/lg-chem-develops-foldable-display-material-using-new-material-tech