In the fourth Technology Outlook of the Swiss Academy of Technical Sciences SATW, experts assess the potential of 45 promising technologies and application areas with a time horizon of three to five years. The top technologies from an economic point of view are the Internet of Things and Connected Machines, but also new ways of mobility.
Heat-conductive electrical isolators
Every two years, the Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences (SATW) produces an early identification report, the Technology Outlook, which describes promising technologies, assesses their significance for Switzerland and compares Switzerland with selected European countries.
Around 70 experts from science and industry have worked on the Technology Outlook 2021. Two of the authors are Urs Burckhard, Head Central Research, and Steffen Kelch, Principal Scientist Adhesives, both Sika Technology AG. Switzerland is an attractive and high-performing location for the automotive supply industry. In this field, the materials used to produce battery modules and (electric) vehicles represent a fast-growing market segment. Sika solutions take into account the advancements in miniaturisation and the resulting increase of energy density in electronic components. They are easy to integrate and ensure good heat conduction and long-term reliability as glue, gap filler, adhesive tape or pad.
It is technically challenging to produce electrical isolators that have excellent heat-conductive properties, because in the case of many materials, e.g. metals or graphite, good thermal conductors are also electrical conductors. Thermal interface materials (TIMs) are important components in the development of new batteries for e-mobility and also for computer and medical technology. TIMs are used as adhesive glues or as gap-filling cast resin.