Articles (Page 2) | Meridiano

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Inside China Tech: Beijing to sharpen country’s R&D focus

(Science & Research - South China Morning Post / 2020-10-09 22:00)

China is shifting its national research and development focus from the quantity of published papers to the quality and relevance of technological projects. This policy refinement occurs despite ongoing US-China tech tensions and follows record-high R&D spending and a massive new tech infrastructure investment plan. The Ministry of Science and Technology is leading the effort to evaluate researchers based on practical project outcomes.

The main topics covered are China's R&D policy shift, the US-China tech war context, and China's sustained high investment in technology.

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Global PC shipments see double-digit growth in third quarter as Covid-19 keep workers, students at home

(Science & Research - South China Morning Post / 2020-10-13 04:16)

Global PC shipments grew 14.6% year-on-year in the third quarter, reaching 81.3 million units. This marks a second consecutive quarter of double-digit growth, driven by sustained demand for remote work and online education during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The market growth could have been even higher, but was constrained by widespread component shortages and a backlog of unfulfilled orders. Lenovo remained the top vendor with 23.7% market share, followed by HP, as both companies posted over 11% shipment growth.

The main topics covered are the strong performance of the global PC market, the key drivers of demand (remote work/learning), and the supply chain challenges limiting even greater growth.

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Why tougher US visa rules for highly-skilled foreign workers could be America’s loss and China’s gain

(Science & Research - South China Morning Post / 2020-10-14 23:00)

The Trump administration's new H-1B visa rules impose higher wage requirements and stricter qualifications, making it more difficult for U.S. companies to hire skilled foreign workers. This is particularly impacting foreign graduates and those seeking entry-level positions, who are now often passed over for domestic candidates due to the increased cost.

As a result, talented individuals like Chinese computer science graduate Nora Xu are facing significant obstacles in securing U.S. employment, leading to frustration and uncertainty. Analysts suggest these restrictive policies risk driving global talent away from the United States, potentially benefiting economic competitors like China.

The main topics covered are changes to U.S. H-1B visa policy, the impact on foreign skilled workers and graduates, and the potential geopolitical and economic consequences for the U.S.

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China’s carbon neutral efforts to get boost from new ways to produce methanol, hydrogen

(Science & Research - South China Morning Post / 2020-10-16 11:00)

Chinese research institutes are leading new projects to produce methanol from solar power and generate hydrogen from methanol, aiming to boost renewable resources and improve the ecological environment. These efforts support China's broader pledge to become carbon neutral by the year 2060. One operational facility in Gansu province uses solar electrolysis to produce hydrogen, which is then reacted with carbon dioxide to create approximately 1,000 tonnes of methanol annually.

The main topics covered are China's carbon neutrality goals, advancements in renewable energy technology (specifically solar-to-methanol and methanol-to-hydrogen processes), and the current scale and demand within China's methanol market.

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Toshiba targets US$3bn revenue in quantum cryptography by 2030, as it searches for new growth drivers

(Science & Research - South China Morning Post / 2020-10-19 01:46)

Toshiba aims to generate $3 billion in revenue from its quantum key distribution (QKD) technology by 2030, viewing it as a key future growth driver. The company forecasts the global QKD market will reach $12 billion in a decade, driven by the need for cybersecurity that can resist attacks from advanced quantum computers.

Toshiba is pursuing partnerships with telecom carriers like Verizon and BT to tap into this demand and is noting China's aggressive expansion in QKD infrastructure. This strategic shift follows years of restructuring and now focuses on resilient public infrastructure businesses.

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Robots will destroy 85 million jobs over next five years as pandemic speeds up workplace changes, WEF says

(Science & Research - South China Morning Post / 2020-10-21 03:10)

A World Economic Forum report warns that 85 million jobs may be destroyed over the next five years as the pandemic accelerates workplace automation and digitization. This shift is slowing job creation and reversing employment gains, with technology replacing roles in areas like data entry and administration.

While job destruction accelerates, the report projects over 97 million new roles will emerge in fields like AI, the care economy, and content creation. For workers who remain in their roles, nearly half will require new skills, as employers are expected to divide work equally between humans and machines by 2025.

The main topics covered are technological automation, pandemic-driven workplace changes, future job displacement and creation, and the growing need for workforce reskilling.

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No rocket science: for China to beat US in tech, it must boost R&D investment and cultivate world-class talent

(Science & Research - South China Morning Post / 2020-10-24 01:30)

China urgently needs to boost its technological self-reliance amid heightened tensions with the United States. Senior officials are meeting to set new five-year economic goals, with a focus on significantly increasing R&D investment and cultivating world-class scientific talent. President Xi Jinping has emphasized the critical need for higher-level self-reliance and specifically highlighted winning the race in quantum science as a key priority.

The main topics covered are the China-US tech rivalry, China's economic planning and five-year goals, and the national focus on boosting R&D and scientific talent.

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What semiconductors are and why China needs to make them itself

(Science & Research - South China Morning Post / 2020-10-29 04:50)

Semiconductors are advanced microchips critical to modern electronics, with smaller nanometer manufacturing processes like 7nm offering better performance and lower power consumption. China is a major importer of chips but remains technologically behind, with its top foundry SMIC at the 14nm node while global leaders produce at 5nm and 7nm.

US sanctions cutting off Huawei's access to advanced chips have significantly accelerated Beijing's push for semiconductor self-sufficiency. However, experts believe achieving this goal is extremely difficult and could take decades due to the complex technology and manufacturing expertise required.

The main topics covered are the basic technology and importance of semiconductors, the global manufacturing landscape and China's position within it, and the impact of US sanctions on China's drive for self-reliance in chip production.

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Smartwatches powered by wearers: CUHK researchers aim to harvest energy from human movements

(Science & Research - South China Morning Post / 2020-11-04 00:15)

Researchers at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) have developed a compact generator that can be embedded in smartwatches to harvest energy from human movement, such as arm swings.

This technology aims to allow users to power their devices simply through daily motion, thereby eliminating the need to remove the watch for charging and preventing gaps in continuous health data tracking.

The main topics covered are the development of the energy-harvesting generator, its potential to enable perpetual wearable device power, and the problem of data interruption during conventional charging.

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With Singapore emerging as space technology hub of Southeast Asia, we talk to scientists, inventors and ‘astropreneurs’ in the Lion City

(Science & Research - South China Morning Post / 2020-11-18 23:15)

Singapore is emerging as a significant space technology hub in Southeast Asia, driven by tech start-ups and entrepreneurs rather than just government superpowers. The global space economy is seeing massive investment and growth, with commercial potential estimated to reach up to US$1.1 trillion by the 2040s.

The article highlights the rise of local "astropreneurs," scientists, and inventors in Singapore, supported by investor funding. As an example, it cites the start-up Zero-Error Systems, which recently secured US$1.85 million in funding from investors including Airbus Ventures.

The main topics covered are the commercialization and democratization of the space industry, Singapore's role as a regional hub, and the investment flowing into space tech start-ups.

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Lift-off for China’s Chang’e 5: the first chance since 1976 to bring lunar samples back to Earth

(Science & Research - South China Morning Post / 2020-11-24 07:28)

China has launched its Chang'e 5 mission, the world's first attempt since 1976 to retrieve and return lunar samples to Earth. The highly complex mission involves an 8-tonne spacecraft with four separate components designed to land, drill, collect, and return the samples.

Chinese space authorities acknowledge the mission faces significant new technical challenges, with much that could go wrong. The success of this mission would mark a major milestone for China's ambitious space program.

The main topics covered are the launch and objectives of the Chang'e 5 mission, its technical complexity and challenges, and the historical context of lunar sample return missions.

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China tops world in AI patent filings, surpassing the US for the first time

(Science & Research - South China Morning Post / 2020-11-26 11:30)

China has surpassed the United States in annual AI patent filings for the first time, submitting over 110,000 applications last year. This development strengthens China's position in the global AI market and reflects its push for technological independence.

The milestone was announced by a Chinese official amid an ongoing tech rivalry between the two nations across fields like AI, 5G, and quantum computing. The surge in Chinese AI activity has contributed to U.S. actions, such as trade blacklists, aimed at restricting China's access to key American technology.

The main topics covered are the U.S.-China technological competition, China's lead in AI patent applications, and the resulting geopolitical and trade tensions.

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China pivots to state-corporate partnerships in drive for technology self-reliance

(Science & Research - South China Morning Post / 2020-12-01 00:00)

China is shifting towards state-corporate partnerships to achieve technological self-reliance, identifying it as a strategic pillar in its new five-year plan. This involves creating innovation consortiums between private companies and scientific institutions to drive research, particularly in basic science.

The push is partly driven by the massive cost of importing semiconductors, which neared total national R&D expenditure. Key fields like semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing are prioritized for state-sponsored research.

The strategy represents an overhaul of China's R&D approach, emphasizing a greater role for the private sector from basic research to application. This effort is central to Beijing's contest with the US for global technological leadership.

Main Topics: China's technology self-reliance strategy, state-corporate partnerships, semiconductor import dependency, prioritization of key tech fields in the five-year plan, shifting R&D model towards private sector.

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DeepMind AI breakthrough helps solve how diseases invade cells by predicting protein structures

(Science & Research - South China Morning Post / 2020-12-01 01:52)

Google's AI unit, DeepMind, has made a major breakthrough by developing an AI system called AlphaFold that can accurately predict the 3D structures of proteins. This achievement was recognized at a prestigious scientific competition, solving a critical biological problem likened in importance to mapping the human genome.

Understanding protein structure is vital for biological research, including studying how diseases like Covid-19 invade cells, designing enzymes, and improving agriculture. DeepMind aims to apply its advanced AI to complex scientific challenges, having previously used it for tasks like improving energy efficiency and medical diagnostics.

Main topics: DeepMind's AlphaFold AI, protein structure prediction, implications for disease research and biotechnology.

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After Britain, US could be next to approve Pfizer and BioNTech’s coronavirus vaccine for use

(Science & Research - South China Morning Post / 2020-12-02 16:15)

Britain has become the first country to grant emergency approval for the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine.

The United States could be next, with its FDA vaccine advisory committee scheduled to meet on December 10 to review the vaccine for authorization.

BioNTech officials state they are engaged with regulators globally, including in the EU, and are prepared for a rapid rollout following further approvals.

The main topics covered are the regulatory approvals of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in the UK and pending decisions in the US and EU, along with the logistical preparedness for distribution.