Shape-Morphing with Smart Materials Promises Hope for Assistive Technology

Many of us understand the impact physical disability can have on an individual’s life, don’t we?Perhaps many of us have a firsthand experience with some sort of disability. In the U.K., over 1000 people suffer from spinal cord injury every year, according to Mark C Ransley a researcher and innovator at UCL. According to the research analysts at Allied Market Research assessing the size and share of the smart materials market, more than 15,500 stroke cases are reported every year in U.K. Loss of motor ability is the most tragic condition found in the aging population and the smart materials market has to prepare itself for the reality over the coming years. Besides elders, the younger population will also depend on assistive technology. 

Read more about smart material market

The origin of assisted technology can be traced back to 5000 BC, where the use of wheelchair and crunches were common. However, recent discoveries in the material science are making things more lightweight as well as comfortable. The first ever radical approach in material science was the discovery of the robotic exoskeleton. These machines were developed to assist people perform manual labor, repetitive tasks, and strenuous chores. There are several reason why exoskeleton failed to attract many investors. They were noisy, expensive, and inaccurate. Moreover, the power requirements for the product was very high.  Besides, the rigid mechanical frames have posed limitations for people with imparities. 

Thus, researchers have adopted a completely different radical approach when it comes to the smart materials market. They believe that a transition from assisted robotic technology into the whole new world of assistive material holds answers to some important questions. The smart materials being developed today can electronically change their texture, shape, and stiffness. So wearable robots will be soon replaced by a smart wearable suit and amplify your movement by the virtue of the contraction and stiffening abilities of the material. This would mean that elders can let go off their walking stick as the material will carry the weight for you. 

Global Photonic Sensors Market set to reach $18 Billion by 2021

The global photonic sensors market is expected to reach $18 Billion by 2021, at a CAGR of 17.7 per cent, according to a new market report from Allied Market Research.

The main factors driving growth in this market include the need for enhanced safety and security solutions, better alternatives for conventional technology, and increasing adoption of wireless sensing technology, it said in the report, titled World Photonic Sensors Market Opportunities and Forecasts, 2014-2021.

source : http://www.electrooptics.com/news/news_story.php?news_id=2519

Currently, North America dominates the global photonic sensors market, according to the research, owing to wide-ranging applications of photonic sensors in the region. However, the report forecasts that Asia-Pacific will be the fastest growing region during 2016-2021, with Japan being the forerunner in the development of advanced photonic technology.

UV Light Stabilizer Market Share Rises by 70% Confirms an AMR Report

Exposure to ultra violet radiation often results in the loss of mechanical attributes such as stress. UV radiation just accounts for a small part of sunlight but leads to the degradation of both natural and artificially created polymers. True, exposure to UV rays causes many products made from materials like polymers to crack or simply stop working. However, adding UV light stabilizers at the manufacturing stage can save them from degrading. Light stabilizers help your car tire stay black. Furthermore, polymer additives prevent the road cones from shattering due to heat. 

3D camera RealSense Technology

RealSense 3D camera to gain widespread adoption with many major technological enhancements.

3D camera has immense application for devices in science and industry that are dependent on capturing the 3-D shapes of scenes while in motion, such as in manufacturing automation, augmented reality, bioinformatics, and robotics. Growing demand of 3D content from entertainment industry and enhancement in 3D scanning technology are some important factors driving the market growth.

It has been almost a year since Intel's RealSense 3D depth-sensing cameras made their debut in mainstream products at CES 2015. The idea was at nascent stage when the American technology company has announced that at CES 2013, key features such as motion and voice controls under the label “perceptual computing,” will be added to its computers. After all, perceptual computing was originally intended to be a standard feature for all Intel-powered Ultrabook’s, but the customers were not bemused, as it had been only few years since Microsoft released Kinect in 2010, entirely transforming 3D imaging technology and gaming console experience. At CES 2015, the company took depth-sensing technology further by making significant technological advancements. The RealSense 3D camera offers numerous real-life applications which involve generating three-dimensional (3D) image data as in robotics and 3D printing, gaming and others.

Global 3D Camera Market would Garner Revenue of $10.8 Billion by 2021

Allied Market Research publishes "World 3D Camera Market - Opportunities and Forecasts, 2014 - 2021" report.

"The global 3D camera market would garner revenue of $10.8 billion by 2021, registering a CAGR of 40.0% during 2016 - 2021. Professional 3D cameras would lead the market throughout the analysis period. The 3D cameras embedded in smartphones are expected to drive the 3D camera market significantly by 2021.