Industry News
LEAF batteries being evaluated
Four companies have formed a partnership to evaluate the re-use of lithium-ion battery packs that power the Nissan LEAF electric car. [ + ]
AMOLED revenues surge in 2011
With strong growth in smartphones, AMOLED shipments are estimated to have reached 90 million units in 2011. [ + ]
New materials for solar cells
Imec is working together with Flamac to develop new materials for solar cell applications. [ + ]
Tablet growth alters LCD strategies
In response to falling large-area TFT LCD panel prices in 2011, panel makers have minimised their production. [ + ]
Solar photovoltaic firms seeking profitability
Solar companies will face the challenge of rebuilding margins during a period of increasing diversity as global demand is projected to grow 6% in 2012. [ + ]
Robot research to help elderly
A multirobotic study at an Auckland retirement village has been launched. [ + ]
Richardson and RECOM power up
Richardson has entered into a global distribution agreement with RECOM. [ + ]
Organic solar cells at 8.3% efficiency
Three companies have made what they claim is a crucial step towards successful commercialisation of organic photovoltaic cells. [ + ]
Certification updated
The Telecommunication Labelling Notice has recognised the IECEE Certification Body Scheme. [ + ]
‘Shock’ energy produces power
A micromachined harvester for vibration energy with a record output of 489 µW has been created. [ + ]
Engineering or science?
According to a survey of over 300 engineers, the most influential factor in choosing engineering as a career is “a talent for mathematics/science”. Universities in Australia have produced 61% more domestic graduate scientists than engineers, yet there are 10 times the number of engineering jobs listed than scientific roles. [ + ]
High-efficiency solar cells
Silver-free heterojunction silicon solar cells have been created by applying copper electroplating, which was developed by Kaneka, based on imec’s existing copper electroplating technology. [ + ]
Tablet PC resolution set to improve
The NPD DisplaySearch shipment forecast indicates that the average resolution of tablet PC displays will grow to more than 200 pixels per inch in the second quarter of 2012. [ + ]
North American PV market may double
According to a report, in Q3’11, the US PV market grew by 32% from Q2’11 and could reach 1.9 GW for the year, which would mean that the market has doubled in size for the second consecutive year. [ + ]
