Research Categories

The World Market for Failure Analysis Equipment

As a result of the global economic downturn, constrained financing environment and a slowdown in capital spending on equipment is impacting most end markets and customers. While it is currently unclear how long this overall negative business climate will continue, most companies are seeking to position themselves to capitalize on long-term technology growth opportunities in semiconductors, bio-medicine and life sciences, LED and solar and nanotechnology.

Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless Sensor Networks market report draws lessons from the many successful installations in the last year. It looks at the complex standards scene with particular focus on WirelessHART that is key to applications in the process industries in the short and medium term and it shows how the alternative ISA 100.11a has some way to go but may prove useful over a wider field of application and eventually subsume WirelessHART. It examines recent successes of the various backers of ZigBee-related solutions, who is behind the alternatives and how they see the future.

The World Market for Photovoltaic Manufacturing Equipment

In 2009, revenues for the world PV manufacturing equipment market declined by an estimated 23% on 2008.  The economic downturn and resulting problems that equipment end users have experienced with securing capital from financial institutions have been the most impacting factors. Economic conditions are projected to improve slowly during 2010, which will stimulate PV manufacturing equipment growth.  The first half of 2010 is likely to be a difficult time for most PV manufacturing equipment suppliers, with end users (and financial institutions) remaining cautious over large investment.  PV manufacturing equipment investment during the second half of 2010 is projected to be stronger as recovery continues.  A full recovery, to 2008 levels, is forecast in 2011. 

3D Display Technology and Market Forecast Report

Immersive 3D technology has evolved dramatically from the days of red and blue cardboard glasses. New 3D technology is redefining entertainment, offering viewers a truly immersive, high-definition experience. No longer exclusive to the cinema, 3D technology is headed to the home market with a number of display manufacturers promising to deliver a variety of 3D applications currently and in the coming years. 3D display is also penetrating into the public display market. To be successful, however, the industry must answer challenging questions around 3D content, 3D standardization and competing 3D technologies.

The World Market for Chemical Mechanical Planarization (CMP) Equipment

Chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) is a common practice in the formation of integrated circuits. Typically, CMP is used for the planarization of semiconductor wafers. CMP equipment revenues in 2009 were approximately US$480 million. A number of companies are seeking to develop technologies that offer highly superior productivity to 45nm cutting-edge semiconductor manufacturing plants to maintain competitive advantage. Most CMP companies expect the semiconductor industry to continue making active investments in the medium-to-long term, and the semiconductor manufacturing equipment industry that CMP companies serve is also expected to grow. Applied Materials, Ebara Corporation and Novellus/Speedfam are the main players in the CMP market.

From relatively humble beginnings, it has taken 25 years for the smart card installed base to approach the level where, on average, everyone has at least one. By the end of 2009 the installed base is estimated to have passed the 8 billion, more than the number of people on the planet. This report expands on previous editions by incorporating new forecasts and additional data segmentations to provide unparalleled coverage. It draws on in-depth interviews with major smart card manufacturers, smart card system suppliers, and semiconductor suppliers to the smart card industry.

PV System Integrators - An Analysis of the Competitive Environment

This report analyses who the most important PV system integrators are worldwide. The report defines a system integrator as any company responsible for the design and procurement for a non-residential PV system. The report has been compiled over a five month period by contacting over 200 system integrators located around the world and is the only report to analyze the competitive environment for system integrators. The report is intended to allow system integrators to benchmark themselves against their competitors and allow PV component suppliers to understand more about their potential customer base.