US researchers have created tiny semiconductor particles, called quantum dots, into which they can add extra electrons — a treatment that nudges the dots ever closer to producing the desired laser light with less stimulation and energy loss. [ + ]

Australian researchers have used liquid metal to create two-dimensional materials no thicker than a few atoms that have never before been seen in nature. [ + ]

Mouser Electronics has signed several new global distribution agreements recently, adding aconno, Industruino and more to its extensive list of electronics suppliers. [ + ]

US researchers have sent out their assurance that the key materials that make up lithium-ion batteries are likely to have sufficient supply to meet the anticipated long-term demand — so long as we start planning now. [ + ]

University of Edinburgh researchers have alleviated potential fears about using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for wireless communication, revealing that transmitting digital data via LEDs does not make their light dimmer or change their colour. [ + ]

BCC Research has released two reports into the future of the electronics components and solid-state drives markets, respectively, predicting continued growth for each. [ + ]

Force sensor supplier Peratech has received the Electronic Product of the Year award at the British Engineering Excellence Awards (BEEAs). The award was presented to Peratech for its 3D Multi-Touch Matrix sensor, based on its Quantum Tunnelling Composite (QTC) technology. [ + ]

The University of Massachusetts Amherst has received a US$500,000 grant from the Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative (M2I2) to support research into flexible hybrid electronics (FHE). [ + ]

Lockheed Martin is partnering with the University of Sydney and RMIT University to develop advanced technologies that will have significant implications for both defence and commercial space-based applications. [ + ]

STMicroelectronics is working together with Internet of Things (IoT) specialist Objenious, a founding member of the LoRa Alliance, to accelerate the connection of IoT nodes to LoRa networks. [ + ]

Japanese researchers have discovered superconductivity in thin films of titanium oxide (Ti₄O₇) and gamma-phase trititanium pentoxide (γ-Ti₃O₅), in a breakthrough that could one day be used to develop ultrafast computers. [ + ]

UK researchers have developed a supercooled detector platform, capable of detecting single photons, which could find applications in cancer treatment, driverless cars and practical quantum communications. [ + ]

From 6–7 September, Electronex — The Electronics Design & Assembly Expo and Conference was held at the Melbourne Park Function Centre. Around 1000 trade visitors and delegates attended the two-day event, which alternates annually between Melbourne and Sydney, leading event organiser Australasian Exhibitions and Events (AEE) to declare the expo an outstanding success. [ + ]

The global market for wearable sensors is expected to record its first billion-dollar year in 2017, according to market research company IDTechEx. [ + ]

Saudi Arabian researchers have used a blend of polymer materials to develop a novel type of component — one that could substantially improve the performance of electrical circuits. [ + ]