Conductive Inks

Conductive inks are a long-established technology, however, technology rarely stands still, and there is extensive innovation within the conductive ink space. Particle-free inks are an especially promising example with multiple advantages and applications.

Given the exciting properties, graphene has always been linked as a revolutionary material for the electronics industry. CVD graphene is cited as the ideal solution in providing a perfect single layer produced in a low cost continuous R2R process, but the manufacturing and commercial reality have proved very different. After a long period of research, and with players regularly exiting and entering the field, we are only now starting to see this technology mature and the dawn of the commercial reality.

The remarkable price increases in particular US stocks, most notably GameStop, made the news last week as the power of retail investors to move markets became clear. On Monday 1st Feb, the BBC reported that silver prices increased by around 10 % as retail investors turned their attention to commodities, reaching a 5-month high of almost $950/kg.

IDTechEx have released a new market research report on materials for printed/flexible electronics - materials for OLEDs, photovoltaics (OPV), thin film transistors (OTFTs), photodetectors (OPDs). Also carbon nanotubes, perovskites, quantum dots, functional inorganic inks, component attachment materials, conductive inks.

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 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.

The metal additive manufacturing market will be negatively impacted by the 2020 pandemic. Despite this short-to-mid-term setback, the industry is forecast to rise and exceed $10Bn within the next 10-years. The emerging and established printer players grab nearly all of the headlines, but most of this forecast annual revenue will be in material sales in which there is great untapped potential.

Materials Informatics is the key to enabling a paradigm shift in our approach to materials science R&D. Significant investment, notable adoption from key end-users, and technology leaps make it evident that it's time has come. Through primary-interview based analysis, IDTechEx has introduced the most comprehensive market report on the topic: "Materials Informatics 2020-2030".

Join the free virtual conference from IDTechEx covering opportunities with printed electronics on 27 May. Additional speakers include Neotech AMT, Roartis and Ynvisible. Join over 1,000 registered attendees.

Hear from Coca-Cola, Swarovski, Electrolux, Roartis and Neotech AMT at this new free-to-attend online conference from IDTechEx, hosts of the world's largest event series on Printed & Flexible Electronics.