Presentations from major players in the polymer industry will allow electronic and electrical supply chains to learn more about new materials, manufacturing processes and application requirements when they meet at the first Rapra Technologies International Conference on Polymers in Electronics in Munich 30–31 January, 2007.

Ferroelectrets, electrically charged polymer foams that can switch on thin film transistors, could have a future being incorporated into sensitive textiles.

A contract to design and develop a component device for a highly advanced, mobile secure communications system, has been awarded to Christchurch-based, Bluewater Systems.

Intelligent Systems Australia (ISA) is the master distributor for AICSYS Advanced Industrial Computer Systems products in Australia.

The electrotechnology industry still has a long way to go in accepting and encouraging female workers, with women making up only 7% of the total industry workforce and 1.6% of tradespeople, according to Frances Regan, project manager for the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA).

In an effort to provide safer and more reliable components for aircraft, researchers have invented a fibre-optic on/off switch that can replace electrical wiring for controlling elevators, rudders and other flight systems on aircraft.

Cornell Dubilier has launched its capacitor website www.cde.com that features access to 10 technical papers, three capacitor life-temperature calculators, a new thermal modelling applet and access to capacitor types by dielectric, application or type letter.

The National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) has introduced an associate member program, sponsorship initiative that will provide opportunities for all levels of the electrical and communications industry to engage with the association.

Universal Display Corporation together with Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation and Mitsubishi Chemical Group Science and Technology Research Center will collaborate on developing materials for phosphorescent OLED displays that can be processed through solution or ‘wet’ processing methods, such as ink jet printing.

A method of improving battery power and extending its charge holding capacity has been developed by chemists in Britain.

Osram is intensifying its research and development work on organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) with the aim of applying this technology also to general illumination.

Designers of electrical and electronic components have a wide choice of polymers at their disposal.

Cutter Electronics has been appointed the Australian and New Zealand representative for Nuhertz Technologies.

Digi-Key Corporation and Future Designs, Inc (FDI) have signed a global distribution agreement.

Greenpeace has launched the 'Guide to Greener Electronics', which ranks companies on their use of harmful chemicals and electronic waste recycling.