Technologies & Applications

Over decades, the basic construction of microelectronics and the materials used have remained practically unchanged. Molecular memristors now merge memory and processor for faster and more energy-efficient computers.

The private charging infrastructure is turning into a key element in the development of electric mobility. And, as is already the case for electric vehicles, government funding is leading to rapid distribution.

Masks are key components for further miniaturization in micro and nanoelectronics. A ground-breaking technology to produce them sent more than 262,000 individually controllable electron beams through a “pinhole”.

House keys, wallets or health insurance cards may be worn on your finger in the future. A new 3D printing process involving integrated electronics can conceal the sensitive information in a ring.

Power supply continues to be the Achilles’ heel of many wearables, but help could be at hand in the form of a promising approach whereby “on-body energy” is harvested using a concept similar to that used in smart cities.

Vision loss ranks first among the threatening diseases. No wonder, since it provides up to eighty percent of the information about the outside world. Now two new implants should at least shed some light into the darkness.

In Europe alone, more than 400,000 people die each year due to exposure to fine particulate matter. A tiny, energy-efficient measurement sensor for mobile end devices is designed to help address this problem.

Embedded storage on integrated circuits requires a lot of space. Now a more economical design is promising cheaper and more energy-efficient devices in future.

In the fight against Covid-19 our clothes could help in the future. A Japanese company has developed a high-tech textile that destroys bacteria and viruses piezoelectrically.

In the future, blades will provide better and cheaper solar cells, LEDs or displays. Researchers are transforming the leaf veins into electrodes with excellent optical and electronic properties.

Gartner was first in the annual round of forecasts with its Top 10 Strategic Technology Trends for 2020. Of course, looking just one year into the future won’t produce any truly big surprises.