Paul Whytock

Artificial intelligence (AI) is driving one of the fastest increases in electricity demand seen in modern digital infrastructure. So the basic question when it comes to power and AI is, will data centres have enough electricity to handle the computational load? The inconvenient truth is no, not without significant investment, grid rejuvenation, the creation of new generation capacity and changes in how AI information is distributed.

Key Things to Know: Gallium Nitride (GaN) outperforms traditional silicon by operating at higher voltages, frequencies, and temperatures — making it ideal for military and advanced electronic applications. China leads global GaN and gallium production, holding a strategic advantage in semiconductor materials and fabrication capabilities. US supply risks: Export restrictions on gallium from China threaten the United States’ ability to produce high-end GaN devices for defence and aerospace systems.

Key Things to Know: Market outlook: Graphene is shifting from startup novelty to global business, with value projected to grow from about €160 million today to roughly €1.8 billion by the mid-2030s, driven by high-volume uses and production advances. Manufacturing shift: MOCVD enables graphene to be deposited directly onto devices; researchers are now stacking other 2D materials (for example, molybdenum disulfide) alongside graphene to tailor performance.