R&D revolves around quality enhancements through feature upgrades and the use of better materials.

China suppliers of NiMH batteries and packs are gearing development efforts toward efficiency enhancements to stay ahead of the competition. Toward this end, makers are improving product features and adopting better materials.

Makers are developing toward small designs with added features and enhanced aesthetics.

China suppliers of plastic parts are rolling out upgraded products to cater to various requirements in electronics and automotive applications, highlighting compact yet visually appealing designs. They are directing R&D toward increased impact resistance, dimensional stability, surface hardness, dielectric strength and anti-solubility. Flame-retardant models are likewise emphasized. Development work for releases targeted at vehicles underscores longer life span and use of better raw materials.

Line targets indoor and outdoor installations dominated by neon and incandescent types. Automotive use is also pursued.

Widening application drives R&D and production of LED strips in China as suppliers target various indoor and outdoor uses in general, architectural, signage, advertising, ornamental, mood and emergency illumination. They are leveraging the technology’s energy-saving and environment-friendly attributes to take advantage of rising demand in these segments and displace conventional neon and incandescent types.

W-CDMA and 802.11n are widely adopted as mobile communication equipment makers match the latest 3G technologies and devices.

China manufacturers of mobile and wireless communication networking equipment are intensifying product development on 3G data modems and routers to take advantage of the worldwide expansion of 3G networks.

Miniaturization efforts continue despite makers’ strong emphasis on traditional designs.

The miniaturization trend continues to pick up pace in China’s power transformers industry even as traditional models remain dominant. Development work is ongoing for planar, chip and thin-film types, although it is mostly the large enterprises that offer these new variants. Nevertheless, more makers are planning to boost output of small and lightweight versions in the years ahead. Many companies also concentrate on units with high frequency and low power consumption.

Makers are emphasizing material quality and production techniques to develop variants suitable for industrial use.

China manufacturers of supercapacitors are underscoring models with better performance yet smaller dimensions, spurred by increasing utilization in industrial, automotive, military, aerospace and alternative energy applications. To meet stringent specifications, makers such as Jinzhou Kaimei Power Co. Ltd are employing high-grade materials and mature technologies. The first and Haerbin Jurong Newpower adopt carbon electrode inputs, including activated carbon powder, and fiber to improve energy density and specific power.

Makers are introducing models with better features and flexibility to adapt to trends for various electronic devices.

Taiwan's rubber keypad manufacturers are focusing on types with a broad application base to strengthen foothold in a market shifting to touchscreen solutions. Suppliers are rolling out models designed to meet requirements in mobile and fixed-line phones, digital cameras, fax machines, printers, calculators and car control panels.

R&D revolves around quality enhancements through feature upgrades and the use of better materials.

China suppliers of NiMH batteries and packs are gearing development efforts toward efficiency enhancements to stay ahead of the competition. Toward this end, makers are improving product features and adopting better materials.

Makers are developing toward small designs with added features and enhanced aesthetics.

China suppliers of plastic parts are rolling out upgraded products to cater to various requirements in electronics and automotive applications, highlighting compact yet visually appealing designs. They are directing R&D toward increased impact resistance, dimensional stability, surface hardness, dielectric strength and anti-solubility. Flame-retardant models are likewise emphasized. Development work for releases targeted at vehicles underscores longer life span and use of better raw materials.

Line targets indoor and outdoor installations dominated by neon and incandescent types. Automotive use is also pursued.

Widening application drives R&D and production of LED strips in China as suppliers target various indoor and outdoor uses in general, architectural, signage, advertising, ornamental, mood and emergency illumination. They are leveraging the technology’s energy-saving and environment-friendly attributes to take advantage of rising demand in these segments and displace conventional neon and incandescent types.

Developments in the surveillance industry are fueling the island’s R&D on related ICs, camera modules and DVR cards.

HD video enhancement and low light recording are the two main trends for CCTV and IP cameras. Taiwan makers are therefore rolling out components supporting better resolution. Grain Media Inc., for instance, has released SoCs with 5MP and 1080p. It is developing technologies for IP cameras that will enable high integration and quality, and less power consumption at more attractive prices. R&D initiatives include HD encoders with a lower bit rate and elevated image resolution to meet requirements on data fidelity, self-protection and event awareness. The supplier is also eyeing components for next-generation NVRs and HD CCTVs. These involve multiformat encoders and decoders, full-HD processing from capture to display with graphic engine, and SoCs with advanced processing such as 55nm technology.

Connector and cable assembly makers are matching the trend for faster transmission in storage devices.

China suppliers are boosting production of USB 3.0 connectors and cable assemblies to take advantage of the trend for faster transmission in storage devices. Also known as SuperSpeed USB, the standard boasts 10 times higher data rate than USB 2.0. This allows seamless management of HD video, music and image files. USB 3.0 devices also consume less power, thanks to their energy-saving feature.

Suppliers are taking advantage of growing EV shipments and government support to strengthen product development.

Taiwan is leveraging a comprehensive industry chain and government support to boost its electric vehicles sector. The Ministry of Economic Affairs, for instance, has been instrumental in pushing research organizations and industry leaders to form the Taiwan Electric Vehicle Industry Clusters and R&D alliances in batteries, chassis, and power and complete systems. This is to strengthen product development and cooperation among the upstream and downstream segments.

Higher requirements in lighting, industrial and household applications widen the adoption base of multilayer aluminum-base PCBs.

China’s aluminum-base PCB suppliers are shifting focus to multilayer variants on the back of growing demand from applications requiring elevated density, reliability and stability, small size and light weight. The type currently accounts for a minority share of the output, which is driven by single- and double-sided kinds. Makers, however, are optimistic multilayer versions’ share will increase in the months ahead. Output now yields models with four, six, eight, 10 and 12 levels.

Suppliers of membrane switches highlight selections with added features to cater to various requirements in consumer electronics and industrial applications.

Piggybacking on robust demand and a broadening application base, makers of membrane switches in China are enhancing product features to establish a foothold in target markets. Suppliers are adding anti-UV and water-resistant capability, embedded LED, EL backlight, electric shielding layer, and window and lens coating. Switches with high temperature capacity are also offered on request.