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Electric Vehicles Research
Posted on October 15, 2015 by  & 

Three new technology megatrends

Thought leaders IDTechEx were among the first to identify three new megatrends in the world of technology:
 
  • Structural electronics (SE)
  • 3D printed electronics (3DPE)
  • Energy independent electric vehicles (EIVs)
 
Structural electronics is replacing the old components-in-a-box approach with smart materials as load-bearing parts and as smart skin and e-textiles. For example, a recent IDTechEx interview with one of the largest car Japanese companies revealed that their experimental 3D printing of ultra-lightweight car seats based on bird bone structure, will now become 3DPE with electrics and electronics built into the seat as it is grown. Meanwhile, teams in Australia, the UK and the US demonstrating supercapacitor car bodies using in-mold electronics. Also in Japan, IDTechEx was recently told by a chemical giant that such structural electronics materials are now top of its priorities. Little wonder that popular new IDTechEx reports include, Structural Electronics 2015-2025, 3D Printed Electronics and Circuit Prototyping 2015-2025 and Energy Independent Vehicles 2016-2026.
 
Dr Peter Harrop explains the third new technology megatrend, energy independent electric vehicles (EIVs) exist on and under water, as airships and planes and as on-road and off road vehicles typically relying on sunshine sometimes with other forms of energy harvesting as well, including waves and wind making electricity to power their motors. Mostly they rely on flexible photovoltaics with a dramatic roadmap of improvement including Sumitomo Electric ultra-lightweight Fresnel lens film taking it to a remarkable 44% efficiency - more kilowatts per vehicle. Additionally, modes such as wave, wind and tidal power creating electricity for traction are being added. This multiple on-board harvesting will further boost the already impressive speed, payloads and duty cycles. EIVs are equally popular by land, sea and air whereas electric vehicles in general are more often seen on land as yet.
 
 
See the IDTechEx report, Electric Vehicle Forecasts, Trends and Opportunities 2016-2026 and attend the conferences, Electric Vehicles: Everything is Changing and Energy Harvesting and Storage at IDTechEx Show! Santa Clara, California, November 18-19 with its 250 exhibitors, 3000+ paying delegates, nine parallel conferences and, on the days before and after, 23 optional masterclasses on these and associated topics with visits to centers of excellence.

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Posted on: October 15, 2015

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