Future of Green Technology

Nowadays, Green Technology is a talk around the world. I'll provide some of current technology related to Green Technology.

1. Solar Power - Lead by 5 Mega solar company, solar power is one of the new resource for green technology. With abundant supply of sun rays, the usage of other option of electricity generation will be reduce. Currently, the best efficiency recorded for solar panel is up to 33% of its penetration can produce energy.

2. LED - The high luminance technology can replace the conventional light bulb and florescent tubes in the light industry. The raw material is basically 'sand' and power consumption is much more lower.

3. Water - 2/3 of Earth is cover with water. New research has been undertook around the world to use water as the alternative power supply. Forecast, this technology should be release into the market within this decade.

4. Power Inverter - Technology that can regenerate energy while using them. More and more new products in the market is equipped with such technology to support the current concern.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

Flip-Chip Packaging Becomes Competitive

Sally Cole Johnson, Contributing Editor -- Semiconductor International, 5/1/2009

Looking back 15 years ago, nearly everything was wire bonded. Today, flip-chip packaging is taking over. The basic flip-chip concept is to take a chip, place conductive bumps on the connection points, flip it over, put it face down and directly attach it to the circuit. Flip-chips eliminate excess packaging, while providing highly desirable benefits such as miniaturization, high-frequency operation, low parasitics and a high I/O density.

Flip-chips can be found in nearly every hot consumer gadget from cell phones and pagers to MP3 players and digital cameras. In the server space, virtually all logic modules are flip-chip packaged. And most ASICs, gaming, graphics processors, chipsets, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and digital signal processors (DSPs) are now also flip-chip modules.

The cost of gold bonding wire has been on the rise the past few years — making flip-chip even more appealing. "If we look at the cost two to three years ago, flip-chip was inherently more expensive," said Raj Pendse, vice president of flip-chip and emerging products at STATS ChipPAC (Singapore). "Flip-chip substrates typically cost two to three times the amount of a wire bond substrate, but the rising gold costs have evened out the differential in package costs. The flip-chip is becoming more cost-effective over a broader range of applications. In the past, it was used in the 1000 pin count range. It's becoming cost-effective in the 200–700 pin count range.".

2009 New Market - LED and Solar

For 2009, LED and Solar Module is predicted to get a higher demand. Both of the items can save energy, by using low power and by producing power with help of nature, have been popular since the awareness of environmental issues.

LED - Light Emitting Diode. It can be classed into several types. Currently, tycoons all around the worlds is racing to produce cheapest, brightest, safest and most efficient LED ever. In conjunction with the "Banning the Incandescent Light Bulbs" campaign around the world, LED is the best solution. Consumer can regain their cost just not more then 2 years by saving the energy only. Plus, the LED is known for long lasting. Usually, a LED can even last for up to 15 years.

Solar Modules. This technology is known for many years before but only have further developed around 5 years back. This technology is known for safe power generator/producer. In some country, power from solar panels are sold back to the government to help reduce the unhealthy power generation. Many 'Giants' has establish in this field and mostly from Europe. Sun is our unlimited source of power. Via using solar energy, ones can save more money while save the earth.

Malaysia Electronics Industry 2008

The effect of world recession has arrived to Malaysia. The most affected industry are E&E seen most of its player is from the centre of the crisis, USA.

Starting from early 2008, many company start having problem with supply and demand. Since the collapse of Lehman brothers, investors became more careful in what they invest in. Follow by the decrease of value for 3 automotive tycoon in August. In November, Citibank has declared 50% drop of its share in the market. More issues grow even the Presidential Election has over. Can Obama change the situation (as per his campaign)?

In Malaysia, the country was first shocked by the shut down of a toy company in Penang, Nikko Electronics. More then 900 workers is unemployed. The latest is, Western Digital in Sarawak has seizzed its operation and more then 1500 workers is out of work.

Many economist predict that the worst is still not here. 2009 was said to be the peak of the slowdown. What it has to do with us? Well, government got income from these MNCs. They were source of income for our nation. Without them, the unemployment rate will rise, and the national income will go down.

Pentax - New Digital Definition for Starters

What would you choose for cheap camera with high quality.

Canon, Nikon, Sony and more are world famous for their digital imaging and camera. A Japan originate company - PENTAX, has reached its international level since 1962 but has caught recognition lately via their digital imaging products.

PENTAX Optio E60, latest of E series, has offered real value for money. With 10.1 megapixels, multifunction, face and smile recognition, video capture, use AA battery for power and more intereting features, has offered a good bargain for someone who wish to enter digital imaging world. The price, RM450++, has scored the lowest price for high quality camera (more then 7 megapixels).

C902 - 2008 Real Value For Money

C902 (July 2008) - was promoted in 2008 James Bond movie, Quantum of Solace, and for sure it's a cool gadjet suit for a spy. It has all function needed as a hand phone (only w/o wi fi).

This version is an upgrade version from its previous model, K850i (Dec 2007) and C702 (early 2008). With 5 mega pixels camera, bluetooth, 3 G function and also touch screen, this model is a real value for money. On release, it was RM1499. Currently you can have it for RM1200 (RM950 for AP phone - limited waranty). Click here for more info.

For now, the only competitor its have for value is Nokia N95 8GB (Nov 07) - RM2500.

Malaysia Semiconductor Supply Chain

Moving into 2008, Malaysia had succeed to create many cluster toward emerging technologies. In Electronics industry sector, year 2007 has noted investment of more then RM13 billion, RM3 billion more then targeted earlier. This ids due to stability of the nation and constant consultation from various agencies.

One of Malaysia main cluster is Semiconductor. This cluster comprised of companies from USA, Japan, Korea, Europe and more. The supply chain that was dream before now a reality since the whole supporting industry is available locally. From ingots grower to packaging.

Well, even thought the current situation of low trade and investment in first half of 2008, the second half seem to promise more and better inflow.