-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- pcb007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueAlternate Metallization Processes
Traditional electroless copper and electroless copper immersion gold have been primary PCB plating methods for decades. But alternative plating metals and processes have been introduced over the past few years as miniaturization and advanced packaging continue to develop.
Technology Roadmaps
In this issue of PCB007 Magazine, we discuss technology roadmaps and what they mean for our businesses, providing context to the all-important question: What is my company’s technology roadmap?
Wet Process Control
In this issue, we examine wet processes and how to obtain a better degree of control that allows usable data to guide our decisions and produce consistently higher-quality products.
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Media kit
||| MENU - pcb007 Magazine
Outlook on Future-oriented Technologies
June 17, 2024 | EMPAEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
Around 200 representatives from industry attended the Technology Day at the Buchs campus of OST – Ostschweizer Fachhochschule on 11 June 2024. The event about future technologies for Switzerland, at which Empa researcher Mirko Kovac gave a keynote speech on how drones can be used in numerous areas in to achieve sustainability goals, was organized in collaboration with the Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences (SATW), RhySearch and Switzerland Innovation Park Ost.
Several drones – equipped with cameras, scanners and 3D printers – building a tower together or robots that can move like flying fish under water as well as in the air: The images and videos that Mirko Kovac presented to guests at the Technology Day at the OST Campus Buchs were reminiscent of science fiction movies, but are a future reality. Kovac heads the Aerial Robotics Laboratory at Imperial College London and the Laboratory of Sustainability Robotics at Empa and EPFL. With his teams, he is developing next-generation drones that interact with the environment outside of laboratory conditions in a constantly changing environment. For example, by placing sensors in treetops or collecting water samples from different depths in coral reefs. Important data for measuring the health of ecosystems and protecting them. "Sustainability Robotics" is the name of the specialty.
The autonomous systems are inspired by the natural world, for example by insects. Kovac's keynote impressively demonstrated how drones will not only open up new fields for environmental sciences in future, but also how they have the potential to revolutionize the construction industry and protect human lives. The latter in the case of fires, for example, by providing an overview of the situation before the fire department enters the building.
Current developments and trends
Claudia Schärer and Stefan Scheidegger from SATW presented the Technology Outlook. This presents forward-looking technologies that will be relevant for Switzerland in the coming years, based on interviews with over 180 experts from 89 institutions. These include photovoltaics, 5G mobile technology, research into alternative protein sources and sustainable food production. At an international level, technologies in the field of energy and the environment have gained attention, as shown by an SATW analysis of Twitter/X posts from over 800 universities in Switzerland and Europe.
Several breakout sessions offered insights into research projects of OST, the co-organizers and industry partners. The presentations and short discussions were dedicated to the topics of Advanced Manufacturing and materials, digital twins, robotics, sustainability, environment and energy, artificial intelligence and sensor technology.
OST Technology Day
Together with SATW, RhySearch and Switzerland Innovation Park Ost, OST invited industry, research partners and interested parties to Technology Day 2024. The topic of the event: future technologies for Switzerland, insights into technology trends and the technology world of tomorrow. The event was hosted by Stefan Bertsch, Head of the Systems Engineering department, and Knut Siercks, Head of the Technology department. "OST has an excellent technical infrastructure, superbly equipped clean rooms and dedicated teams of highly qualified specialists for applied research and development," said Siercks, referring to further exciting projects.
Suggested Items
MKS’ Atotech and ESI to Participate at TPCA Show & IMPACT Conference 2024
10/23/2024 | MKS Instruments, Inc.MKS Instruments, Inc., a global provider of enabling technologies that transform our world, today announced that its strategic brands ESI (laser systems) and Atotech (process chemicals, equipment, software, and services) will showcase their latest range of leading manufacturing solutions for printed circuit board (PCB) and package substrate manufacturing at the upcoming 25th Taiwan Circuit Board Industry International Exhibition 2024 to be held at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center from 23-25 October 2024.
Koh Young Technology Showcasing its Inspection Solutions at electronica and SEMICON Europa
10/22/2024 | Koh Young TechnologyKoh Young Technology, the global leader in True 3D measurement-based inspection solutions, will demonstrate its award-winning inspection solutions at Messe München on November 12-15, 2024.
CACI Awarded $805 Million Task Order to Provide Engineering Support and Technology to U.S. Navy’s NavalX Office
10/22/2024 | CACI International Inc.CACI International Inc announced that it has been awarded a five-year task order valued at up to $805 million to provide engineering support and technology to the U.S. Navy’s NavalX Office under the Department of Defense Information Analysis Center’s (DoD IAC) multiple-award contract (MAC) vehicle.
Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) Announce Strategic Collaboration
10/21/2024 | Lockheed MartinSkunk Works®, the renowned advanced development organization within Lockheed Martin Corporation and the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR), a premier knowledge institute and connecting link among science, industry, and government in the Netherlands, announced a strategic collaboration to advance mutual interests for enhanced security at the Netherlands Defense Industry Days event.
TPCA Show 2024 Highlights Taiwan-Thailand Industry-University Collaboration
10/22/2024 | TPCAWith growing investments in Thailand's PCB industry, the 2024 TPCA Show will feature a dynamic "Thailand Theme Zone" to promote collaboration between Taiwanese companies and Thai students.