IDTechEx's expansive portfolio of Advanced Materials & Critical Minerals Research Reports and Subscriptions provides a range of technologies from graphene and carbon nanotubes, to conductive inks and advanced coatings, all contributing to the next generation of advanced materials making a name for themselves as they emerge within the commercial market.
The versatility of graphene and CNTs
Graphene has received hype for many applications, including within thermal management sector. With a higher thermal conductivity than many metals, graphene, amongst other carbon-based fillers, can be a great thermal interface material, used to enable heat transfer from a heat source to a heat sink and doing so efficiently and with quick dispersion as to avoid overheating.
IDTechEx's report, "Graphene & 2D Materials 2026-2036: Technologies, Markets, Players", covers players within the market that are integrating graphene into devices, including companies like Huawei, which have been known to use graphene sheets in conjunction with a liquid cooling vapor chamber. Doing so could enhance the performance of a device, with graphene sometimes also used interchangeably as either a large or localized heat spreader or fully replacing the need for a vapor chamber in some applications. Graphene could also be used within textiles to create conductive pathways, enable thermal dissipation, and provide mechanical benefits to clothing items to increase flexibility or durability, highlighting the material's versatility.
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can offer versatility across a number of applications, with the Li-ion battery sector demonstrating some of the most interest. CNTs possess qualities including strong conductivity, tensile strength, and electrical resistivity, and are therefore favored for their use within cathodes and anodes in Li-ion batteries.
Some of the other benefits of using CNTs within batteries include enhanced temperature performance, and improved conductivity throughout life cycle when used with graphite anodes. IDTechEx's report, "Carbon Nanotubes 2025-2035: Market, Technology & Players", explores other main applications for CNTs, further differentiating between single and multi-wall. Multi-wall CNTs can be utilized for automotive bumpers, ESD packaging, and fuel lines, which are all close to maturity, while single-wall applications still in developmental stages will likely include gas sensor and memory technologies, where greater sensitivity is needed.
The landscape of advanced coatings and performance trade-offs
Advanced coatings as a sector encompasses various coating types used across a wide variety of industries. Their application provides a multitude of benefits including sustainability, increased performance, and longevity of products. Some coatings that possess low cure times or that can be applied as a spray can also allow for greater throughput, production efficiency, and ease of use. Spray coatings in particular can offer accuracy, while thinner coatings result in less material usage, increasing efficiency all round.
Many product coatings on the market today containing PFAS chemicals may pose long-term health risks, which is where the development of PFAS-free advanced coatings can enable safer product use. However, the trade-off between performance and safety is always a consideration. For example, VOC-based coatings require less drying time and offer compatibility with a wider range of products but are not the most environmentally friendly. IDTechEx's report, "Advanced Coatings 2026-2036: Market, Technologies, Players", explores other types, including water-based coatings, which despite offering increased safety and not requiring specific ventilated infrastructure, can be tricky to use around electronic devices. IDTechEx's research dives into players within the sector and different coating types used for specific applications.
Conductive inks and their role in printed electronics
Conductive inks are a technology enabling sleeker designs and device miniaturization in the wider fields of printed electronics, photovoltaics, wearable technology, healthcare, and others. IDTechEx covers conductive ink types including flake-based silver, nanoparticle-based silver, copper, particle-free, and stretchable, with each reported to have best-suited applications and different advantages depending on product type.
In-mold electronics as a sub-category of printed electronics is expected to create high growth within the conductive ink market, particularly for stretchable types, as they can offer the versatility needed for certain structures. Similarly, wearable technology will benefit from stretchable inks, as they can conform and adjust to shape and movement more so than other types. Electronic skin patches in particular are expected to be a large market for conductive inks, where a sleek and discreet form is required.
Silver-based conductive inks may face challenges with uptake as material prices are subject to constant change, meaning switches to cheaper materials including copper may become necessary in some instances. IDTechEx's report, "Conductive Inks Market 2024-2034: Technologies, Applications, Players", explores some of the other main applications for conductive inks, alongside predictions for market growth over the next decade.
For more information visit IDTechEx's portfolio of Advanced Materials & Critical Minerals Research Reports and Subscriptions for a broader landscape of advanced materials, spanning quantum materials, materials for PEM fuel cells, low-loss materials, and more.
