50 The PCB Magazine • June 2017
Flexible, Organic and Biodegradable:
Stanford Researchers Develop New Wave
of Electronics
A new semiconductor developed by Stanford re-
searchers is as flexible as skin and easily degrad-
able. It could have diverse medical and environ-
mental applications, without adding to the mount-
ing pile of global electronic waste.
Floating Fields for Fine Fabrication
Magnetic levitation (Maglev) is well known for its
use in high-speed rail networks, but could also be
applied at smaller scales in medicine and electron-
ics. To do so, researchers must be able to precise-
ly control electromagnetic fields so that they can
move and rotate objects without touching them.
The Importance of Lithium and Cobalt
in Today's Energy Market
Lithium-ion batteries are an efficient source of en-
ergy for rechargeable storage devices, capable of
expanding battery durability and leading to an in-
creasing power source for consumer electronics,
including hybrid and electric vehicles.
Global Smart Manufacturing Market:
Players Need to Explore New Markets
The global market for smart manufacturing is
characterized by the presence of numerous com-
panies. This makes the landscape fragmented and
highly competitive. The competition is being dic-
tated by the demand for huge investments in in-
frastructure and development of technologies.
Global Collaborative Robot Market:
Modest Price and Impressive Return
on Investment Allure Demand
The global collaborative robot market has been
anticipated to be characterized by a trend where
larger companies could engage in the acquisition
of smaller and local automation firms to enlarge
their operative base.
Conductive Paper Could Enable Future
Flexible Electronics
Researchers have made an ionic gel paper with
long-term bendable electrical robustness. This
process could be used for flexible electrolumines-
cent devices such as roll-up computer screens and
other flexible electronics. We are getting closer to
reality as scientists improve upon a growing num-
ber of components that can bend and stretch.
Paper-Based Biosensor with
Smartphone Readout
Researchers at the ICN2 Nanobioelectronics and
Biosensors group led by ICREA Research Prof. Dr
Arben Merkoçi have infused paper strips with gra-
phene quantum dots and combined them with
smartphone technology to develop an intuitive,
portable and disposable biosensing system.
Demand for PCBs in Consumer Electronics
to Drive Global SMT Equipment Market
Transparency Market Research estimates that the
global surface mount technology equipment mar-
ket was valued at US$4845.7 mn in 2016 and is
anticipated to reach US$7075.8 mn by 2025, ex-
hibiting a CAGR of 4.4% from 2017 to 2025.
Gartner Survey: 42% of CEOs Have Begun
Digital Business Transformation
An unsettled global political environment has not
shifted CEOs' focus on profits and growth in 2017.
Growth is the first business priority for 58% of
CEOs, according to a recent survey* of 388 CEOs
by Gartner Inc.
3.4 Billion Smartphones Ready for
Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and
Android Pay by End of 2017
According to new analysis from IHS Markit, 3.4 bil-
lion smartphones will be ready for Apple Pay, Sam-
sung Pay and Android Pay by the end of 2017, and
the number is expected to increase to 5.3 billion
by 2021.
Electronics Industry News
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