The advent of the RoHS legislation which is due to come into effect from 1st July 2006 has caused a lot of electronics manufacturing companies and electronic component suppliers to review their product and service offerings.
The advent of the RoHS legislation which is due to come into effect from 1st July 2006 has caused a lot of electronics manufacturing companies and electronic component suppliers to review their product and service offerings. One such company is Ultra Electronics CEMS, the Dorset based electronic manufacturing services provider. Ultra CEMS manufactures products on behalf of their clients and has customers who are currently exempt from the current legislation as well as clients who are directly affected by the RoHS legislation. John Dean, Sales Manager at Ultra CEMS states, “We are working with all of our clients at present to aid the transition to RoHS compliant components and products. We are advising even those companies who are currently exempt from the new legislation to review their component engineering strategy now as we believe these companies will be affected sooner rather than later as component manufacturers gradually transition their whole product range to RoHS compliant product in order to reduce their costs.It is our belief that certain packages will shortly only be available in a RoHS compliant form so it would be better to manage the change now rather have if enforced later. Even if component manufacturers continue to support non-RoHS compliant parts for the DefenceHealth Fitness Articles, Aerospace sectors etc it is highly likely that the unit prices of these components will increase to reflect the lower volumes required. This is clearly something that will need to be considered in product costing/design reviews. We are already producing a number of RoHS compliant PCB assemblies for clients and in some instances have been carrying out lead free PCB assembly since July 2004.” In PCB Assemblies it is not uncommon to have in excess of 100 different components per product to review. If we assume each client has a portfolio of over 10 uniquely different products then we can be talking about in excess of 1000 part numbers which have to be reviewed. This can be a daunting task and should therefore be undertaken sooner rather than later. The process involves offering component engineering support to clients and literally going through all of their parts lists making recommendations and finding direct RoHS compliant alternatives as well as advising on topics such as backward compatibility.If you are not already considering the RoHS legislation and how it will affect your business then its time to start now before the new legislation comes into effect.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
John Dean,Customer Support Manager,Ultra Contract Electronics Manufacturing Services.Web-Site: www.ultra-cems.comE-mail: Jdean@ultra.co.uk
Saturday, May 5, 2007
7 Reasons To Buy Electronics From China
Wholesale Secrets: Why buying Electronics direct from China will take your business to the next level.
China has become the world's largest maker of consumer electronics, producing more MP3 Players, Digital Cameras, Video Players, Electronic Gadgets, and other high tech products than any other country.
Have you ever wondered how you could buy direct from the source in China and make your own profits from this economic miracle?
1. Hottest Unseen Consumer Electronics And Gadgets
If you work together direct with suppliers in China you will be ahead of your competition. You will be able to buy many cutting-edge consumer electronics, long before they arrive in the retail stores back home. And you'll have the chance to check out the newest products before they are even released.
2. Don’t Worry, They Speak English
Many trading companies and wholesalers in China are already experienced in dealing day to day with their foreign customers in English. And if you are lucky, you will be able to find partner companies in China which are wholly run by Europeans or Americans. Many of them will provide just the same quality of service and support as you would expect from anyone back home.
3. Isn't China On The Other Side Of The World?
You can already see "Made In China" labels everywhere you go. Thanks to international logistics companies like UPS and DHL practically any country in the world can receive consumer electronics straight from China. Wherever your customers are in the world, your next buying opportunity will be in China, especially with the increasing number of Chinese wholesale drop-shippers opening their services internationally.
4. Wholesalers, MOQ, Yadda Yadda
In most manufacturing sectors in China, suppliers require a minimum order quantity (MOQ) for their products before the production process even starts. However, recently it's become much easier to order smaller quantities of electronics: wholesalers such as Chinavasion.com are the leaders in this field. You want one sample, you got it. You need 20 pieces for your online business? No problem! Online wholesalers are opening the electronics market for small to medium business like never before.
5. Can They Drop-Ship in China?
The traditional trade triangle of wholesaler – retailer - customer has been revolutionized through the Internet. Now at last you can ship direct from China to your customers worldwide without touching the products. (Just in case profiting with Chinese Wholesalers wasn’t a big enough opportunity already.)
6. How Do I Pay Them If They’re In China?
With online wholesalers you can usually choose to pay in many international currencies, and even submit payment “the eBay way” - through Paypal secure online ordering. Paypal offers total protection for buyers, and dealing with their approved online electronics wholesalers will give you extra peace of mind.
7. The Bottom Line
China has been described as the world's factory. The unbelievably cheap production costs for consumer electronics in China are well known to everybody.
Online wholesalers simply let you put those products straight in your cart, without all the hassle – and middlemen – normally associated with the import trade. With no sales taxes added or hidden charges, the price you pay… wellBusiness Management Articles, it will speak for itself.
A strong relationship with an electronics wholesaler in China will let you reap rewards for years to come.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rose Lee is a member of Chinavasion Wholesale Ltd. To get access to real-time wholesale prices, register now for free at http://www.chinavasion.com
China has become the world's largest maker of consumer electronics, producing more MP3 Players, Digital Cameras, Video Players, Electronic Gadgets, and other high tech products than any other country.
Have you ever wondered how you could buy direct from the source in China and make your own profits from this economic miracle?
1. Hottest Unseen Consumer Electronics And Gadgets
If you work together direct with suppliers in China you will be ahead of your competition. You will be able to buy many cutting-edge consumer electronics, long before they arrive in the retail stores back home. And you'll have the chance to check out the newest products before they are even released.
2. Don’t Worry, They Speak English
Many trading companies and wholesalers in China are already experienced in dealing day to day with their foreign customers in English. And if you are lucky, you will be able to find partner companies in China which are wholly run by Europeans or Americans. Many of them will provide just the same quality of service and support as you would expect from anyone back home.
3. Isn't China On The Other Side Of The World?
You can already see "Made In China" labels everywhere you go. Thanks to international logistics companies like UPS and DHL practically any country in the world can receive consumer electronics straight from China. Wherever your customers are in the world, your next buying opportunity will be in China, especially with the increasing number of Chinese wholesale drop-shippers opening their services internationally.
4. Wholesalers, MOQ, Yadda Yadda
In most manufacturing sectors in China, suppliers require a minimum order quantity (MOQ) for their products before the production process even starts. However, recently it's become much easier to order smaller quantities of electronics: wholesalers such as Chinavasion.com are the leaders in this field. You want one sample, you got it. You need 20 pieces for your online business? No problem! Online wholesalers are opening the electronics market for small to medium business like never before.
5. Can They Drop-Ship in China?
The traditional trade triangle of wholesaler – retailer - customer has been revolutionized through the Internet. Now at last you can ship direct from China to your customers worldwide without touching the products. (Just in case profiting with Chinese Wholesalers wasn’t a big enough opportunity already.)
6. How Do I Pay Them If They’re In China?
With online wholesalers you can usually choose to pay in many international currencies, and even submit payment “the eBay way” - through Paypal secure online ordering. Paypal offers total protection for buyers, and dealing with their approved online electronics wholesalers will give you extra peace of mind.
7. The Bottom Line
China has been described as the world's factory. The unbelievably cheap production costs for consumer electronics in China are well known to everybody.
Online wholesalers simply let you put those products straight in your cart, without all the hassle – and middlemen – normally associated with the import trade. With no sales taxes added or hidden charges, the price you pay… wellBusiness Management Articles, it will speak for itself.
A strong relationship with an electronics wholesaler in China will let you reap rewards for years to come.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rose Lee is a member of Chinavasion Wholesale Ltd. To get access to real-time wholesale prices, register now for free at http://www.chinavasion.com
Friday, May 4, 2007
What About The Taxes On My Wholesale Consumer Electronics From China?
China has now been tagged as the “world’s electronics factory”. It has become the largest producer and supplier of consumer electronics products.
That’s the question, isn’t it? We all don’t want to end up being chased by the guv’ment because we didn’t pay our dues, right? We have to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s.
Anyway, for those of you who are now looking at buying wholesale electronics from China, here’s great news: For now, most China-based wholesale consumer electronics supplier aren’t charging any VAT, other taxes or any other hidden charges at all. Zero. Nada. So, what do they charge you? Just pay them what you see on your computer screens when you checked your items out which, of course, includes shipping charges which are very minimal (and at least say “Thank you” in your heart for their wonderful service).
But hold your horses! Your supplier doesn’t charge you any taxes, yes, but depending on your country’s tax regulations you might pay up for some custom duties. Yup, that’s one of life’s hard facts. But, hey, don’t lose sleep! Do these quick and easy but very necessary steps to learn how to deal with tax matters when importing to save you time and money:
* Do your homework. Do a research on your country’s tax regulations on imported goods. Don’t guess.
* Take time out to contact the right government agency that handles these concerns and remember to talk to the right person in that agency.
* Contact your supplier and ask if they have special arrangements to help you minimize your taxes (or even eliminate them altogether).
* Outline your special instructions for your suppliers concerning disclosure of amounts or value of the goods and they will be more than glad to assist you with these matters.
Remember, your suppliers are from foreign lands. They won’t know how to deal with your tax situations until you fill them in on what’s up with your country’s tax regulations.
So go check out your supplier’s wholesale consumer electronics offerings, compute the costs and do your homework now and get started with the lucrative business of selling Chinese wholesale consumer electronics.
To check out the best wholesale electronics items to buy and sell from ChinaBusiness Management Articles, visit http://bestwholesaleelectronics.blogspot.com.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Charlemagne Solanor is from the Philippines and has began blogging in November, 2006. His blog Wholesale Electronics (http://bestwholesaleelectronics.blogspot.com) talks about consumer electronics products. His goal is to help electronics retailers find the best online wholesale electronics deal to explode their retailing business
That’s the question, isn’t it? We all don’t want to end up being chased by the guv’ment because we didn’t pay our dues, right? We have to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s.
Anyway, for those of you who are now looking at buying wholesale electronics from China, here’s great news: For now, most China-based wholesale consumer electronics supplier aren’t charging any VAT, other taxes or any other hidden charges at all. Zero. Nada. So, what do they charge you? Just pay them what you see on your computer screens when you checked your items out which, of course, includes shipping charges which are very minimal (and at least say “Thank you” in your heart for their wonderful service).
But hold your horses! Your supplier doesn’t charge you any taxes, yes, but depending on your country’s tax regulations you might pay up for some custom duties. Yup, that’s one of life’s hard facts. But, hey, don’t lose sleep! Do these quick and easy but very necessary steps to learn how to deal with tax matters when importing to save you time and money:
* Do your homework. Do a research on your country’s tax regulations on imported goods. Don’t guess.
* Take time out to contact the right government agency that handles these concerns and remember to talk to the right person in that agency.
* Contact your supplier and ask if they have special arrangements to help you minimize your taxes (or even eliminate them altogether).
* Outline your special instructions for your suppliers concerning disclosure of amounts or value of the goods and they will be more than glad to assist you with these matters.
Remember, your suppliers are from foreign lands. They won’t know how to deal with your tax situations until you fill them in on what’s up with your country’s tax regulations.
So go check out your supplier’s wholesale consumer electronics offerings, compute the costs and do your homework now and get started with the lucrative business of selling Chinese wholesale consumer electronics.
To check out the best wholesale electronics items to buy and sell from ChinaBusiness Management Articles, visit http://bestwholesaleelectronics.blogspot.com.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Charlemagne Solanor is from the Philippines and has began blogging in November, 2006. His blog Wholesale Electronics (http://bestwholesaleelectronics.blogspot.com) talks about consumer electronics products. His goal is to help electronics retailers find the best online wholesale electronics deal to explode their retailing business
Chinese Wholesale Electronics – Why Chinese?
China has now been tagged as the “world’s electronics factory”. It has become the largest producer and supplier of consumer electronics products.
OK, I’m not Chinese, I don’t live in China (although it’s our country’s neighbor and there’s a big Chinese community here) and I don’t speak Chinese. So why am I so passionate about importing wholesale electronics from China?
It’s amazing how China has its doors now opened to international enterprises and how it has now sought to expand its businesses outside. One of its companies even took over a western giant a while back. China used to be a closed off nation and a “sleeping giant” but is now wide awake and ready to take on the international business center stage to do a Beyonce Knowles number. Here are a few reasons why it’s difficult to ignore China these days:
* Newspapers started carrying dedicated sections for China business because the business world is buzzing loudly about China.
* Bureaucratic red tape is becoming less and less restrictive to traders, which means more freedom, more than ever, between Chinese and foreign traders
* Even eBay is partnering with a Chinese company to gain more influence and connection in the Chinese market
* Almost everything has some parts or is entirely “made in China” and Jacky Chan goes Hollywood!
“But I don’t speak Chinese”, you say. Well, don’t you think Chinese wholesale suppliers didn’t have that language barrier predicament in mind? Of course they did! That is why they have English speaking staff and they themselves are already able to speak the international language, which is, well – English! The problem these days, as is the case everywhere else, is not what language to use when doing business with your suppliers; it’s how you communicate with them.
So why import from China? How do I communicate with Chinese suppliers?
China could be the next Japan. After the Second World War, Japan imitated western electronic products like televisions, portable radios, cars, etc. They were perceived as cheap until the Japanese innovated these lines of products, started giving them brand names and bested the rest of the western first world in inventing things. We now forever admire Japanese brands like Sony, Honda, Toyota, and Nintendo to name a few. And whose jaw wouldn’t drop on the smart android ASIMO? China is following the same pattern of imitating, innovating and inventing electronic products that, who knows, might become the next big household name.
China has now been tagged as the world’s factory as they manufacture almost all types of products at incredibly lower cost than anywhere else in the world. That’s because everything in China is low cost; low human resources cost, low cost of living, low cost of energy and a lower corporate tax burden. Every production outfit can employ cheap labor, but still produce superb quality products.
Importing consumer electronics from China is the way to go! Of course you can look elsewhere, but the point that I would like you to take away from here is that Chinese electronic products are manufactured and exported cheap without compromising quality.
Now, when contacting suppliers from China – go directly to suppliers, better yet, to the manufacturers and avoid middlemen as much as possible as the low production cost leaves a lot of room for them to jack the prices up. Remember, your goal in buying from China is to “buy low and sell high”. Where do you find these suppliers and manufacturers? Thanks to the Internet, the problem of locating reliable suppliers from China is now passed on to, uhm, your fingertips. Doing business can’t get any easier than doing it online. Search them out, contact them through email and I strongly suggest you phone them to “feel” the signs that you’re about to do business with the right people. I can’t emphasize more the importance of really building good relationship with these suppliers. These wholesalers are not picky as long as you build nice rapport with them and they are really into exporting their goods to western markets. I can attest to the excellent customer support that my favorite supplier provides. They are promptFeature Articles, polite and very accommodating.
Take advantage of importing consumer electronic products from China now. Who knows? Your competition might already be capitalizing on it.
Visit bestwholesaleelectronics.blogspot.com.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Charlemagne Solanor is from the Philippines and has began blogging in November, 2006. His blog Wholesale Electronics talks about consumer electronics products like mp3 players, dvd players, car accessories and more. His goal is to help electronics retailers find the best online wholesale electronics deal to explode their retailing business.
OK, I’m not Chinese, I don’t live in China (although it’s our country’s neighbor and there’s a big Chinese community here) and I don’t speak Chinese. So why am I so passionate about importing wholesale electronics from China?
It’s amazing how China has its doors now opened to international enterprises and how it has now sought to expand its businesses outside. One of its companies even took over a western giant a while back. China used to be a closed off nation and a “sleeping giant” but is now wide awake and ready to take on the international business center stage to do a Beyonce Knowles number. Here are a few reasons why it’s difficult to ignore China these days:
* Newspapers started carrying dedicated sections for China business because the business world is buzzing loudly about China.
* Bureaucratic red tape is becoming less and less restrictive to traders, which means more freedom, more than ever, between Chinese and foreign traders
* Even eBay is partnering with a Chinese company to gain more influence and connection in the Chinese market
* Almost everything has some parts or is entirely “made in China” and Jacky Chan goes Hollywood!
“But I don’t speak Chinese”, you say. Well, don’t you think Chinese wholesale suppliers didn’t have that language barrier predicament in mind? Of course they did! That is why they have English speaking staff and they themselves are already able to speak the international language, which is, well – English! The problem these days, as is the case everywhere else, is not what language to use when doing business with your suppliers; it’s how you communicate with them.
So why import from China? How do I communicate with Chinese suppliers?
China could be the next Japan. After the Second World War, Japan imitated western electronic products like televisions, portable radios, cars, etc. They were perceived as cheap until the Japanese innovated these lines of products, started giving them brand names and bested the rest of the western first world in inventing things. We now forever admire Japanese brands like Sony, Honda, Toyota, and Nintendo to name a few. And whose jaw wouldn’t drop on the smart android ASIMO? China is following the same pattern of imitating, innovating and inventing electronic products that, who knows, might become the next big household name.
China has now been tagged as the world’s factory as they manufacture almost all types of products at incredibly lower cost than anywhere else in the world. That’s because everything in China is low cost; low human resources cost, low cost of living, low cost of energy and a lower corporate tax burden. Every production outfit can employ cheap labor, but still produce superb quality products.
Importing consumer electronics from China is the way to go! Of course you can look elsewhere, but the point that I would like you to take away from here is that Chinese electronic products are manufactured and exported cheap without compromising quality.
Now, when contacting suppliers from China – go directly to suppliers, better yet, to the manufacturers and avoid middlemen as much as possible as the low production cost leaves a lot of room for them to jack the prices up. Remember, your goal in buying from China is to “buy low and sell high”. Where do you find these suppliers and manufacturers? Thanks to the Internet, the problem of locating reliable suppliers from China is now passed on to, uhm, your fingertips. Doing business can’t get any easier than doing it online. Search them out, contact them through email and I strongly suggest you phone them to “feel” the signs that you’re about to do business with the right people. I can’t emphasize more the importance of really building good relationship with these suppliers. These wholesalers are not picky as long as you build nice rapport with them and they are really into exporting their goods to western markets. I can attest to the excellent customer support that my favorite supplier provides. They are promptFeature Articles, polite and very accommodating.
Take advantage of importing consumer electronic products from China now. Who knows? Your competition might already be capitalizing on it.
Visit bestwholesaleelectronics.blogspot.com.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Charlemagne Solanor is from the Philippines and has began blogging in November, 2006. His blog Wholesale Electronics talks about consumer electronics products like mp3 players, dvd players, car accessories and more. His goal is to help electronics retailers find the best online wholesale electronics deal to explode their retailing business.
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Tiny fuel cell might replace batteries in laptop computers, portable electronics (press release)
If you're frustrated by frequently losing battery power in your laptop computer, digital camera or portable music player, then take heart: A better source of "juice" is in the works. Chemists at Arizona State University in Tempe have created a tiny hydrogen-gas generator that they say can be developed into a compact fuel cell package that can power these and other electronic devices -- from three to five times longer than conventional batteries of the same size and weight.
The generator uses a special solution containing borohydride, an alkaline compound that has an unusually high capacity for storing hydrogen, a key element that is used by fuel cells to generate electricity. In laboratory studies, a prototype fuel cell made from this generator was used to provide sustained power to light bulbs, radios and DVD players, the researchers say.
The fuel cell system can be packaged in containers of the same size and weight as conventional batteries and is recharged by refilling a fuel cartridge, they say. Research on these battery replacement fuel cells, which they claim are safer for the environment than regular batteries, was described today at the 232nd national meeting of the American Chemical Society.
"We're trying to maximize the usable hydrogen storage capacity of borohydride in order to make this fuel cell power source last longer," says study leader Don Gervasio, Ph.D., a chemist at the University's Biodesign Institute, Center for Applied NanoBioScience. "That could lead to the longest lasting power source ever produced for portable electronics."
One of the challenges in fuel cell development is finding hydrogen-rich compounds for the fuel source. Many different hydrogen sources have been explored for use in fuel cells, including metal hydride "sponges" and liquids such as gasoline, methanol, ethanol and even vegetable oil.
Recently, borohydride has shown promise as a safe, energy-dense hydrogen storage solution. Unlike the other fuel sources, borohydride works at room temperature and does not require high temperatures in order to liberate hydrogen, Gervasio says.
Gervasio and his associates are developing novel chemical additives to increase the useful hydrogen storage capacity of the borohydride solution by as much as two to three times that of simple aqueous sodium borohydride solutions that are currently being explored for fuel cell development. These additives prevent the solution from solidifying, which could potentially clog or damage the hydrogen generator and cause it to fail.
In developing the prototype fuel cell system, the researchers housed the solution in a tiny generator containing a metal catalyst composed of ruthenium metal. In the presence of the catalyst, the borohydride in the water-based solution reacts with water to form hydrogen gas.
The gas leaves the hydrogen generator by moving across a special membrane separating the generator from the fuel cell component. The hydrogen gas then combines with oxygen inside the fuel cell to generate water and electricity, which can then be used to power the portable electronic device. Commercialization of a practical version of this fuel cell could take as many as three to five years, Gervasio says.
http://www.newstarget.com/020961.html
The generator uses a special solution containing borohydride, an alkaline compound that has an unusually high capacity for storing hydrogen, a key element that is used by fuel cells to generate electricity. In laboratory studies, a prototype fuel cell made from this generator was used to provide sustained power to light bulbs, radios and DVD players, the researchers say.
The fuel cell system can be packaged in containers of the same size and weight as conventional batteries and is recharged by refilling a fuel cartridge, they say. Research on these battery replacement fuel cells, which they claim are safer for the environment than regular batteries, was described today at the 232nd national meeting of the American Chemical Society.
"We're trying to maximize the usable hydrogen storage capacity of borohydride in order to make this fuel cell power source last longer," says study leader Don Gervasio, Ph.D., a chemist at the University's Biodesign Institute, Center for Applied NanoBioScience. "That could lead to the longest lasting power source ever produced for portable electronics."
One of the challenges in fuel cell development is finding hydrogen-rich compounds for the fuel source. Many different hydrogen sources have been explored for use in fuel cells, including metal hydride "sponges" and liquids such as gasoline, methanol, ethanol and even vegetable oil.
Recently, borohydride has shown promise as a safe, energy-dense hydrogen storage solution. Unlike the other fuel sources, borohydride works at room temperature and does not require high temperatures in order to liberate hydrogen, Gervasio says.
Gervasio and his associates are developing novel chemical additives to increase the useful hydrogen storage capacity of the borohydride solution by as much as two to three times that of simple aqueous sodium borohydride solutions that are currently being explored for fuel cell development. These additives prevent the solution from solidifying, which could potentially clog or damage the hydrogen generator and cause it to fail.
In developing the prototype fuel cell system, the researchers housed the solution in a tiny generator containing a metal catalyst composed of ruthenium metal. In the presence of the catalyst, the borohydride in the water-based solution reacts with water to form hydrogen gas.
The gas leaves the hydrogen generator by moving across a special membrane separating the generator from the fuel cell component. The hydrogen gas then combines with oxygen inside the fuel cell to generate water and electricity, which can then be used to power the portable electronic device. Commercialization of a practical version of this fuel cell could take as many as three to five years, Gervasio says.
http://www.newstarget.com/020961.html
Plastic circuitry breakthrough may revolutionize electronics industry
(NewsTarget) Researchers from the University of Cambridge's Cavendish Laboratory have a chance to revolutionize the electronics industry if they can develop plastic semiconductors.
The idea is to replace the silicon wafers in standard microchips with layers or circuitry on plastic substrates. While the concept of plastic semiconductors may seem like a pipe dream, Cambridge-based startup Plastic Logic has been talking about commercializing the technology since 2000. The company is putting money where it's mouth is, too, as it has more than $100 million worth of investment funds for a factory that it plans to open in Dresden, Germany.
The technology has "tremendous potential," said Morry Marshall, vice-president for strategic technologies at Phoenix semiconductor research group Semico, adding that it was a "breakthrough that is waiting to happen."
The final product should be a plastic sheet roughly the same size as a piece of A4 sized paper, being produced at a rate of about 2.2 million a year. They will be composed of polyethylene terephthalate -- the same type of plastic used to make soft drink bottles -- and initially supplied to other companies as the basis for pieces of "electronic paper," which can display the pages of thousands of books.
We hope to make it as easy to carry around large amounts of written information using devices based on our technology as it is now to have easy access to large amounts of music using an iPod or MP3 player," said Hermann Hauser, one of Plastic Logic's founders and a Cavendish Laboratory alumnus.
The proposed plastic semiconductors will have one disadvantage compared to traditional silicon-based substrates: There is between 5 and 10 micrometers (1 micrometer is 1 millionth of a meter) between adjacent circuitry lines in the plastic semiconductors, whereas the same space in traditional semiconductors is measured in nanometers (1 nanometer is a billionth of a meter). However, Plastic Logic Chief Executive Officer John Mills said that they are developing plastic circuits with only 60 nanometers between adjacent circuitry lines.
If they could be made smaller, plastic microchips could be used for tasks for which it would not be cost-effective to employ silicon microchips. For example, a toy could have a surface where it could display its own instruction manual.
"Plastic electronics could lead to a fundamental revolution in the way the electronics industry evolves", said Mr Hauser, who also said he would not be surprised if Plastic Logic's chief scientist Henning Sirringhaus was awarded the Nobel Prize for his work in the field.
The Cavendish Laboratory has been lauded for it's discoveries during the past 136 years, including the genetic building blocks known as DNA and the electron.
http://www.newstarget.com/021424.html
The idea is to replace the silicon wafers in standard microchips with layers or circuitry on plastic substrates. While the concept of plastic semiconductors may seem like a pipe dream, Cambridge-based startup Plastic Logic has been talking about commercializing the technology since 2000. The company is putting money where it's mouth is, too, as it has more than $100 million worth of investment funds for a factory that it plans to open in Dresden, Germany.
The technology has "tremendous potential," said Morry Marshall, vice-president for strategic technologies at Phoenix semiconductor research group Semico, adding that it was a "breakthrough that is waiting to happen."
The final product should be a plastic sheet roughly the same size as a piece of A4 sized paper, being produced at a rate of about 2.2 million a year. They will be composed of polyethylene terephthalate -- the same type of plastic used to make soft drink bottles -- and initially supplied to other companies as the basis for pieces of "electronic paper," which can display the pages of thousands of books.
We hope to make it as easy to carry around large amounts of written information using devices based on our technology as it is now to have easy access to large amounts of music using an iPod or MP3 player," said Hermann Hauser, one of Plastic Logic's founders and a Cavendish Laboratory alumnus.
The proposed plastic semiconductors will have one disadvantage compared to traditional silicon-based substrates: There is between 5 and 10 micrometers (1 micrometer is 1 millionth of a meter) between adjacent circuitry lines in the plastic semiconductors, whereas the same space in traditional semiconductors is measured in nanometers (1 nanometer is a billionth of a meter). However, Plastic Logic Chief Executive Officer John Mills said that they are developing plastic circuits with only 60 nanometers between adjacent circuitry lines.
If they could be made smaller, plastic microchips could be used for tasks for which it would not be cost-effective to employ silicon microchips. For example, a toy could have a surface where it could display its own instruction manual.
"Plastic electronics could lead to a fundamental revolution in the way the electronics industry evolves", said Mr Hauser, who also said he would not be surprised if Plastic Logic's chief scientist Henning Sirringhaus was awarded the Nobel Prize for his work in the field.
The Cavendish Laboratory has been lauded for it's discoveries during the past 136 years, including the genetic building blocks known as DNA and the electron.
http://www.newstarget.com/021424.html
When old electronics meet their end, much ends up becoming toxic waste in China
NewsTarget) Old computers and other used-up appliances are creating polluted environments in Asia, the final resting place for much of the world's electronic goods, reports the China Daily newspaper.
Known as "e-waste," more than 75 percent of televisions, computers and other home electronics discarded by the developed world end up bound for Asia. Up to 90 percent of the old electronics goes to China, according to the Beijing-based Science and Technology Daily, the official newspaper of China's Ministry of Science and Technology.
However, only 10 percent of the electronics that go to China are recycled for reuse. The rest gets burned, destroyed or otherwise reduced to poisonous end-products.
Inside computers and other electronics are gold, copper and other reusable precious metals. This makes the 90 percent of discarded electronics not recycled a viable enterprise for people looking to extract those precious metals. However, many of these "electronics harvesters" use simple and environmentally unfriendly processes to get the metals out, such as putting the machines through acid baths.
The result is that lead, mercury and other chemicals are released into the atmosphere – through toxic gasses – and put into lakes and rivers through wastewater systems. The harvesters are burning the plastic cases, melting lead-based monitor glass and simply tossing out the undesirable by-products of precious metal extraction.
In some cities that are hotspots for the metal extraction business, pollution levels are much higher than American or European standards.
In the Guiyu area, an agricultural sector in south China that many e-processers have set up shop, the groundwater became so contaminated that drinking water had to be brought in from an area 18 miles away, according to a 2001 report from the Seattle-based toxic trade watchdog Basel Action Network.
Sediment samples from the area showed that the groundwater had so much lead in it that it would have been considered 212 times more toxified than acceptable standards if it came from Europe's Rhine River.
"Tin was found at levels 152 times the EPA threshold. Chromium in one sample was at levels 1,338 times the EPA threshold level," the report added.
A major source of this e-waste are unsuspecting good Samaritans in America thinking they are helping the environment: Much of the old electronics donated by people and businesses for recycling in the U.S. instead gets exported into the world market.
"Informed recycling industry sources estimate that between 50 to 80 percent of the e-waste collected for recycling in the western U.S. are not recycled domestically," according to the BAN report.
From there, the supply market takes over, and often metal extraction companies win.
The supply market of old electronics sways in favor of these shops because they often offer higher prices for the goods than recycling outfits can.
The supply is good, too: the volume of e-waste from the United States is "estimated at 5 to 7 million tons," the report said.
In China alone – excluding the e-waste that is brought into the country – "about 150 million television sets, washing machines, refrigerators, air-conditioners and computers are discarded every year in China," the China Daily reported, using statistics from the China Home Electronics Association.
For the American market, the BAN report from 2001 posited that e-waste numbers would rise by 2006 thanks to the proliferation of High-Definition Television – flat-screen TVs – obsolescing old television technology, and the fact that most computers bought today are replacements for an old one that must be thrown out.
The world market for e-waste is one that is mostly unregulated, but a limited number of other countries are involved. Outside of China, other countries in the metal extraction business include India and Pakistan. The Middle Eastern country of Dubai is another major collector of discarded electronics, but it acts as a middleman: most of what it receives is re-exported out to China and other countries.
http://www.newstarget.com/021578.html
Known as "e-waste," more than 75 percent of televisions, computers and other home electronics discarded by the developed world end up bound for Asia. Up to 90 percent of the old electronics goes to China, according to the Beijing-based Science and Technology Daily, the official newspaper of China's Ministry of Science and Technology.
However, only 10 percent of the electronics that go to China are recycled for reuse. The rest gets burned, destroyed or otherwise reduced to poisonous end-products.
Inside computers and other electronics are gold, copper and other reusable precious metals. This makes the 90 percent of discarded electronics not recycled a viable enterprise for people looking to extract those precious metals. However, many of these "electronics harvesters" use simple and environmentally unfriendly processes to get the metals out, such as putting the machines through acid baths.
The result is that lead, mercury and other chemicals are released into the atmosphere – through toxic gasses – and put into lakes and rivers through wastewater systems. The harvesters are burning the plastic cases, melting lead-based monitor glass and simply tossing out the undesirable by-products of precious metal extraction.
In some cities that are hotspots for the metal extraction business, pollution levels are much higher than American or European standards.
In the Guiyu area, an agricultural sector in south China that many e-processers have set up shop, the groundwater became so contaminated that drinking water had to be brought in from an area 18 miles away, according to a 2001 report from the Seattle-based toxic trade watchdog Basel Action Network.
Sediment samples from the area showed that the groundwater had so much lead in it that it would have been considered 212 times more toxified than acceptable standards if it came from Europe's Rhine River.
"Tin was found at levels 152 times the EPA threshold. Chromium in one sample was at levels 1,338 times the EPA threshold level," the report added.
A major source of this e-waste are unsuspecting good Samaritans in America thinking they are helping the environment: Much of the old electronics donated by people and businesses for recycling in the U.S. instead gets exported into the world market.
"Informed recycling industry sources estimate that between 50 to 80 percent of the e-waste collected for recycling in the western U.S. are not recycled domestically," according to the BAN report.
From there, the supply market takes over, and often metal extraction companies win.
The supply market of old electronics sways in favor of these shops because they often offer higher prices for the goods than recycling outfits can.
The supply is good, too: the volume of e-waste from the United States is "estimated at 5 to 7 million tons," the report said.
In China alone – excluding the e-waste that is brought into the country – "about 150 million television sets, washing machines, refrigerators, air-conditioners and computers are discarded every year in China," the China Daily reported, using statistics from the China Home Electronics Association.
For the American market, the BAN report from 2001 posited that e-waste numbers would rise by 2006 thanks to the proliferation of High-Definition Television – flat-screen TVs – obsolescing old television technology, and the fact that most computers bought today are replacements for an old one that must be thrown out.
The world market for e-waste is one that is mostly unregulated, but a limited number of other countries are involved. Outside of China, other countries in the metal extraction business include India and Pakistan. The Middle Eastern country of Dubai is another major collector of discarded electronics, but it acts as a middleman: most of what it receives is re-exported out to China and other countries.
http://www.newstarget.com/021578.html
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