5G, 6G, RFID & Telecoms

Thermal management is one of the most important considerations for all consumer electronics. The rise of 5G-enabled smartphones brings an increase in challenges.

Uniquely, the new IDTechEx Research report analyses and forecasts the major disruptive opportunities for radically new city materials, equipment and systems totalling a $1.7 trillion market in 2041.

The first electric hearing aid was created in 1898, and was arguably among the earliest examples of wearable tech. So it's fitting that, more than a century later, on- and in-ear technology is once again leading the way - this time as hearables, a sector now poised for substantial growth.

Apple has integrated 5G into all four newly announced iPhones. The news certainly sends a positive signal to the 5G industry, but many challenges await before 5G becomes ubiquitous.

Water companies in the UK are catching up with IoT solutions, with many now putting smart meters into customer homes, to help them better monitor their water usage. But could these utilities companies do more?

Emerging Application Opportunities for Conductive Inks - Conductive inks are an established market of over $2bn, with screen-printed conductive traces for silicon solar panels by far the dominant application. However, there is also much innovation in the sector.

The market for 5G devices is expanding rapidly, several 5G smartphones are now available on the market, with manufacturers emphasizing the benefits of low latency and high download rates. However, 5G still faces many challenges, especially in the infrastructure.

With the profitable business models and killer applications starting to emerge, 5G is one of the fastest growth markets, which will be over $720bn in 2030 and contribute to a $2trn annual connectivity boost to global GDP according to IDTechEx forecasts.

Vertical farming is growing quickly. The recent IDTechEx report, "Vertical Farming 2020-2030" explores the technologies and market factors that are shaping this rapidly expanding industry.

The wearable sensor industry will be worth $2.5 billion in 2020, having tripled in size since 2014. This comes despite the significant economic challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused a reduction in the total revenue this year.