Advances in Transparent Electronics Revolutionize Associated Technologies, Including Lighting and Display

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Transparent electronics' ability to combine optoelectronic products with invisible circuitry is proving a significant enabler in the march toward an integrated photovoltaic industry. Innovations in transparent electronics are opening up opportunities across the value chain, with the most active areas of research being transparent display, transparent lighting and transparent electrochromic glass. 

Transparent Electronics.jpgDevelopments in Transparent Electronics, part of the TechVision (Microelectronics) Growth Partnership Service subscription, reveals that transparent displays will experience the highest growth opportunities due to the smartphone boom. The regions demonstrating the most hectic R&D activity are Asia-Pacific and the United States due to government support in the application areas of transparent lighting and transparent solar panels. Additionally, the study explores the roadblocks to technology implementation.

“Transparent lighting is finding increased application in the industrial lighting, automobile, healthcare and aviation industries,” said Frost & Sullivan TechVision Research Analyst Brinda Manivannan. “Similarly, transparent displays are altering the consumer electronics segment, while transparent photovoltaics are proving futuristic tools by transforming any building surface to solar panels. Overall, these advances are providing an impetus for the creation of an integrated photovoltaic industry.” 

Although the potential of transparent electronics is undisputed, the high capital investments, technical limitations, a crowded marketplace, and an unstructured supply chain make it challenging to innovate in the space. Technology developers will look to establish themselves in niche markets as well as hone their supply chain horizontally to establish clear technological leadership. 

“Government bodies are actively encouraging key participants in transparent electronics to focus on commercializing cost-effective green solutions,” noted Manivannan. “Governmental support, along with greater consumer awareness of eco-friendly solutions, is expected to make transparent electronics technology a highly lucrative investment area for stakeholders.” 

About TechVision 

Frost & Sullivan's global TechVision practice is focused on innovation, disruption and convergence, and provides a variety of technology-based alerts, newsletters and research services as well as growth consulting services. Its premier offering, the TechVision program, identifies and evaluates the most valuable emerging and disruptive technologies enabling products with near-term potential. A unique feature of the TechVision program is an annual selection of 50 technologies that can generate convergence scenarios, possibly disrupt the innovation landscape, and drive transformational growth.  

About Frost & Sullivan 

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