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Showing posts with label carbon fiber. Show all posts
Showing posts with label carbon fiber. Show all posts

Thursday, July 11, 2024

How can small, retail investors, enter the burgeoning robotics industry that is mostly controlled at present by private companies that are out of their reach?

 

Enovix ($ENVX on Nasdaq) has developed a unique new Li battery that will enhance safety, longevity and higher energy levels


Here are some of the top companies that produce commodities essential for the robotics industry, along with an indication of which might be suitable for small investors to consider:

1. Copper

  • Top Companies: Freeport-McMoRan, BHP Group, Southern Copper Corporation
  • Small Investor Consideration: Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) - Known for its large-scale mining operations, it's a prominent name with considerable market presence.

2. Steel

  • Top Companies: ArcelorMittal, Nippon Steel, China Baowu Steel Group
  • Small Investor Consideration: ArcelorMittal (MT) - A global leader in steel production with diversified operations.

3. Lithium

  • Top Companies: Albemarle Corporation, SQM, Livent Corporation
  • Small Investor Consideration: Albemarle Corporation (ALB) - One of the largest producers of lithium, benefiting from the growing demand for electric vehicles and batteries.

4. GPUs (Graphics Processing Units)

  • Top Companies: NVIDIA, AMD, Intel
  • Small Investor Consideration: NVIDIA (NVDA) - Leading in high-performance GPUs with strong growth in AI and data centers.

5. Aluminum

  • Top Companies: Alcoa Corporation, Rio Tinto, Norsk Hydro
  • Small Investor Consideration: Alcoa Corporation (AA) - A key player in the aluminum industry with a strong market position.

6. Rare Earths

  • Top Companies: Lynas Rare Earths, MP Materials, China Northern Rare Earth Group High-Tech Co.
  • Small Investor Consideration: MP Materials (MP) - A significant rare earth producer in the U.S., benefiting from strategic importance in high-tech industries.

7. Silicon

  • Top Companies: Wacker Chemie AG, Hemlock Semiconductor, Dow Corning
  • Small Investor Consideration: Wacker Chemie AG - A leading global producer of polysilicon, essential for semiconductors and solar panels.

8. Carbon Fiber

  • Top Companies: Toray Industries, Hexcel Corporation, Teijin Limited
  • Small Investor Consideration: Hexcel Corporation (HXL) - A leading advanced composites company with a focus on carbon fiber.

9. Kevlar

  • Top Companies: DuPont, Teijin Aramid, Kolon Industries
  • Small Investor Consideration: DuPont (DD) - Known for its innovation and production of high-strength materials like Kevlar.

10. LiDAR

  • Top Companies: Velodyne Lidar, Luminar Technologies, Aeva Technologies
  • Small Investor Consideration: Luminar Technologies (LAZR) - An emerging leader in LiDAR technology with significant partnerships in the automotive sector.

11. Advanced Plastics

  • Top Companies: BASF, SABIC, Dow Inc.
  • Small Investor Consideration: Dow Inc. (DOW) - A major player in the chemicals and advanced plastics sector with a diverse product portfolio.


Several publicly traded companies are involved in the production of robots, robotics, or robot parts.

Notable examples include:

  1. Fanuc (FANUY): Specializes in industrial robots for manufacturing, including electrical injection molding machines and automated lasers.
  2. UiPath (PATH): Develops robotic process automation (RPA) software to enhance robot efficiency and learning.
  3. AeroVironment (AVAV): Produces unmanned aircraft systems used by the military and for research.
  4. Amazon (AMZN): Implements autonomous robots in its fulfillment centers.

These companies represent a range of applications from industrial automation to military and commercial use​ (Built In)​.

For small investors, considering companies with established market presence, strong financials, and clear growth potential in the robotics and related sectors is crucial. Companies like NVIDIA, Albemarle, and MP Materials offer a balance of growth potential and relative stability, making them attractive options for investment.

Why did Tesla purchase 2,000 lidar units from Luminar Technologies? What might they be used for?

Tuesday, July 9, 2024

How to invest in Robots and Robotics going forward, through the back door method!

 




(Forward: Many small investors cannot buy into Tesla directly nor any of the other "private" companies that are poised to charge into the robot industry.  However, there is always a back door!)

The evolution of robots and robotics will rely heavily on a range of raw materials, each contributing to various aspects of robot construction, functionality, and performance. Here are some of the key raw materials expected to be significant:

  1. Metals and Alloys:

    • Steel: For structural components due to its strength and durability.
    • Aluminum: Used for lightweight structures, reducing the overall weight of robots.
    • Titanium: Valued for its high strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance.
    • Copper: Essential for electrical wiring and components.
  2. Semiconductors:

    • Silicon: Fundamental for electronic circuits, sensors, and microchips.
    • Gallium Arsenide: Used in high-speed electronics and optoelectronic devices.
  3. Rare Earth Elements:

    • Neodymium: Critical for powerful permanent magnets used in electric motors and actuators.
    • Dysprosium: Enhances the performance of neodymium magnets, especially at high temperatures.
  4. Composites and Polymers:

    • Carbon Fiber: Provides high strength and low weight for structural components.
    • Kevlar: Used for its toughness and resistance to impact and abrasion.
    • High-Performance Plastics: Such as PEEK (polyether ether ketone) and PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) for various mechanical and thermal applications.
  5. Battery Materials:

    • Lithium: Central to lithium-ion batteries, which power many portable robots.
    • Cobalt, Nickel, and Manganese: Used in battery cathodes to improve energy density and stability.
  6. Sensors and Actuators:

    • Piezoelectric Materials: Such as quartz or PZT (lead zirconate titanate) for precise motion control.
    • MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems): Often made from silicon and polymers for sensors and actuators.
  7. Optical Materials:

    • Glass and Polymers: For lenses, cameras, and other optical sensors.
    • Silica: Used in fiber optics for communication and data transmission.
  8. Conductive and Insulating Materials:

    • Gold and Silver: For high-conductivity electrical connections.
    • Ceramics: Used for insulation and high-temperature applications.

These materials collectively enable the development of more advanced, efficient, and capable robots, pushing the boundaries of what robots can do in various industries, from manufacturing and healthcare to exploration and service applications.

Now, imagine the amount of cars on the planet!  Now quadruple that for the robot revolution!


Now, imagine how much money is pouring in to this market even now, and how much money will be made in the coming years!




How can small, retail investors, enter the burgeoning robotics industry that is mostly controlled at present by private companies that are out of their reach?