With the pandemic still raging, supply chain disruptions, the chip shortage, climate catastrophes, and geopolitical turbulence, it is safe to say 2021 has not been smooth sailing. The materials and chemical sector provides the backbone of every industry and remains under pressure from all these challenges. In this article, IDTechEx highlights the key news from their independent perspective on this crucial industry.

Are you fed up with Zoom? Do you want online interactions to feel more... interactive? The metaverse promises a step-change in how society communicates but, without the hardware technology, will ultimately remain a pipe dream.

Wednesday 10 November 2021 - The accelerating transition of printed/flexible electronics from technology push to market pull; Applications of printed/flexible electronic technologies that have been commercialized over the last 12 months; Roadmap for future adoption; A selection of both technical and commercial developments within the sector over the last year.

The first part of this premium article examines trends of Micro-LED, LCD, OLED, and QD-LCD displays, and value propositions of micro-LED displays and corresponding application trends

From mobile phones, TVs, to cars and public screens, displays have become an important component in daily life to convey information. The importance of displays becomes more significant during COVID-19, as the demand to have a display for remote communication is higher. There is an emerging display type— Micro-LED display, which has the potential to become the next-generation mainstream, with its ability to be fabricated from tiny to huge sizes. The challenges and opportunities are discussed in the IDTechEx report "Micro-LED Displays 2021-2031: Technology, Commercialization, Opportunity, Market and Players".

2020 and 2021 are the years for the Mini-LED displays to boost. Backlit Mini-LEDs' taking off has also paved the way for Micro-LED displays, a potential display industry game-changer.

Automotive OEMs are increasingly using interior features to distinguish between models and from other brands. There are, therefore, extensive opportunities for printed/flexible electronics to add additional functionality to the cockpit while facilitating efficient manufacturing.

Robotaxis are nothing more than repurposed autonomous cars used for ride-hailing. Robot shuttles are the opposite - a totally new form of transport.

What disruptions can Micro-LED displays bring to us, and will the future displays require Micro-LED technology? What are their potential applications and what are the hypes and realities? These are the questions addressed in the new IDTechEx report "Micro-LED Displays 2021-2031: Technology, Commercialization, Opportunity, Market and Players".

Contents that will be covered in this webinar include: From Mini-LED to Micro-LED displays and what the trend means; Motivations and drivers of micro-LED displays; How COVID-19 can impact the business; and Discussion of value propositions of micro-LED displays

Micro-LED, believed by many as the next-generation display technology, has been pursued by players of LED, display, OEM, materials and so on. It is also widely believed by many that Micro-LED displays are the replacement of OLED displays, especially in TV applications.

We are looking for entrepreneurial, enthusiastic people to join IDTechEx to apply their technical knowledge. You will be involved with technology scouting, market research and consultancy in a rapidly growing, exciting, global firm.

The new IDTechEx report, "Transparent Electronics Materials, Applications, Markets 2021-2041", describes a market increasing fivefold from 2021-2031. By 2041 it will be over $23 billion.

Thursday 3 December (includes Q&A session) - Printed/flexible electronics is a constantly evolving area with extensive scope for innovation. In this webinar, Dr Matthew Dyson will discuss four technical innovations learned about in 2020.

Micro-LED is exciting the markets and commentators, but the question of whether, and how, it will become the natural replacement for other LED technologies, including the currently dominant LCD and OLED, is somewhat complex.

This webinar will include an introduction to quantum dots; value propositions of quantum dots; integration methods of QDs for display applications; comparison of QDs and phosphors; and QDs for micro-LED displays.

The new IDTechEx report, "Sensors 2021-2041" uniquely analyses the whole subject in the light of such seismic changes as the COVID-19 virus. The sensor business is in turmoil. The industries that spend most on sensors are changing as are the sensors.

MicroLED, believed by many to be the next generation of display technology, has been pursued by players of LED, display, OEM, materials and so on. Differentiated from LCD and OLED, microLED is considered to be the only display technology that has no size limitation. What are the potential applications?

In this article, we discuss the challenges and prospects faced by QDs in the general lighting market. This article draws from the report "Quantum Dot Materials and Technologies 2020-2030: Trends, Markets, Players".

There is dramatic change in some industries, with leading printed electronics vendors moving quickly to capitalize on the new sought after capabilities. These opportunities will be addressed at the Printed Electronics Europe exhibition and conference in Berlin on 13 - 14 May (register by 23 January to save 40%).