Global agriculture is facing some serious challenges over the next century, with decades of reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides beginning to take their toll. IDTechEx discusses how agricultural biologicals could be part of the solution to these challenges.

In 2018, China enacted its "National Sword" policy, effectively banning the import of most waste plastics and materials heading for the nation's recycling processors in an attempt to stop the wave of soiled and contaminated materials that were overwhelming the country's processing facilities and threatening it with a major environmental problem.

Vertical farming, the practice of growing crops indoors under tightly controlled conditions, is continuing to expand rapidly.

In its recently published report "Innovations in Robotic Surgery 2020-2030: Technologies, Players & Markets", IDTechEx reports that the robotic surgery market will reach over $12 billion by 2030. The report breaks down the market landscape and emerging technologies in the field of robotic surgery.

Augmented reality and mixed reality are being used more and more in hospitals by doctors and healthcare professionals to provide them with a hands-free working environment, greater flexibility with overlaying information and processing information from its camera.

IDTechEx have released a new research report, "Skin Sensors 2020- 2030: Technologies, Markets, Players, Forecasts".

Dr Nadia Tsao and Raghu Das share some of the research from the new IDTechEx report, "Skin Sensors 2020- 2030: Technologies, Markets, Players, Forecasts", www.IDTechEx.com/SkinSensors

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.

It is often imagined that agriculture is alien to new technologies. This is far from reality. In fact, agriculture has always been a pioneer in the adoption of new technologies, embracing motor/power, modified seed, and agrochemical technologies over many decades to boost productivity.

Cultured meat, the idea that meat products can be artificially grown in a lab without requiring the slaughter of animals, has been attracting headlines.

Deep learning has revolutionized image recognition and analysis, making unprecedented performance leaps between 2010-2014. These rapid advancements enabled the development of automated, accurate, accessible, and cost-effective medical diagnostics.

Dr Michael Dent shares some of the research from the brand new IDTechEx report, "Genetic Technologies in Agriculture 2020-2030".

Bioplastics, plastics made from a biological feedstock, could be a renewable and more sustainable alternative to fossil-based plastics. Unlike the vast majority of fossil-based plastics, many bioplastics are biodegradable, which could help provide a solution to the dizzying escalation in plastic waste seen across much of the world. And although bioplastics have historically struggled to deliver the same performance as fossil-based plastics, technology is increasingly closing the gap, creating highly functional plastics that do not cost the Earth. "Bioplastics 2020-2025", the recent report by IDTechEx, explores the emerging technologies around bioplastics and forecasts the future of the industry over the next five years.

With a surface area of up to 2 square meters, skin is the largest organ of the human body. Skin acts as an outer covering and barrier - not only is skin health crucial to the overall health of an individual, but skin appearance has significant societal impact as well (body image, communication, etc.).

Estimates vary but we are certainly in $100 billion, 100GW territory with the booming photovoltaic market. The new IDTechEx report, "Electronics Reshaped 2020-2040" reveals solar market growth by new capabilities opening previously impossible applications.

Join IDTechEx Chairman, Dr Peter Harrop in this 8-minute presentation on Sensors, discussing patents, the effect of COVID19, sensor market drivers in construction, agriculture, mining, military, aerospace, consumer electronics, medical, automotive & rail.

The world has a problem with plastic waste. Despite global plastic production continuing to accelerate, recycling rates remain stubbornly low, with only about 15% of the 400 million tonnes of plastic currently produced annually being recycled.

When considering the prospects of an emerging technology, it is easy to make broad-brush claims. For example, stating that 'greater numbers of connected devices, commonly referred to as the Internet of Things (IoT), will increase demand for printed sensors' seems an uncontroversial statement.

Genetically modified (GM) crops are unpopular. Despite their vast potential to help improve global food security while reducing pesticide use, many countries are extremely resistant to planting GM crops, with 85% of global GM agricultural land coming from just four countries: the US, Brazil, Argentina and Canada.

​A detailed list of over 60 different application areas which e-textile products have been developed for; Market data around current market size by product type and market sector; Overview of project/product maturity by application area; and Discussion of the best strategies and market forecasts for the sector into the next decade.