Media report that researchers at the University of Chicago and Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) have developed a new optical storage technology that could surpass the density limitations of traditional optical disks, achieving ultra-high-density storage.

In the past, a key challenge for traditional optical storage was the diffraction limit of light. Since the size of each data unit cannot be smaller than the wavelength of the read-write laser beam, there is an upper limit to the density of current optical storage.

The researchers proposed a method to circumvent this limitation by using wavelength-division multiplexing. They embedded rare-earth emitters, such as magnesium oxide crystals, within the material. Each emitter uses a slightly different wavelength, allowing more data to be stored within the same physical space.

The report states that researchers initially modeled and simulated the physical principles of this technology and designed a theoretical solid material containing rare-earth atoms. This material can absorb and re-emit photons, while nearby quantum defects can capture and store these photons. One significant discovery was that when defects absorb narrow-wavelength energy from nearby atoms, their spin state flips. Once the spin state flips, it is nearly impossible to revert, which means these defects can store data for an extended period.

The report emphasizes that, although this is a promising initial test, there are still some key issues to address before commercialization. For instance, the durability of these emitters needs to be verified. Additionally, the researchers have not provided specific capacity estimates, merely suggesting the potential for “ultra-high density.” Despite these challenges, the researchers are optimistic about the future of this technology, calling it a major advancement in storage technology.

 
 
(Photo credit: IBM)

According to a report from South China Morning Post, Huawei Technologies founder and CEO Ren Zhengfei stated that he admires the “openness and inclusivity” of the U.S. tech community. However, Huawei “had no choice” but to build its own tools because of U.S. sanctions.

The report quoted a transcript of Ren Zhengfei’s recent conversation with students and academics from the website of the International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC), stating Huawei should learn from the open culture of the U.S., which has enabled the country to achieve significant advancements in science and technology.

According to the report, Ren indicated that Huawei is “still struggling” and cannot confidently assert that it can survive, as the company is restricted from accessing better chips and technologies due to U.S. sanctions.

Used to call himself an “Apple fan,” Ren stated that “American technologies and tools are very good … [but] Huawei cannot use them; we had no choice but to create our own tools,” as the report noted.

According to the report, since May 2019, Huawei has been restricted from acquiring hardware, software, and services from U.S. manufacturers, as it was included in Washington’s trade blacklist. In 2020, the U.S. implemented stricter trade restrictions, restricting Huawei’s access to advanced semiconductors developed or produced using U.S. technology, regardless of where they were manufactured.

The report noted that Huawei has been a significant force in China’s self-sufficiency efforts, in areas from AI chips to operating systems. These include the launch of a series of smartphones featuring processors entirely manufactured in China, as well as the introduction of HarmonyOS Next, a domestic mobile operating system that no longer supports Android-based applications.

Regarding the AI trend, according to the report, Ren stated that the AI trend is unstoppable, and AI applications are creating the turning point of the times. According to another report from South China Morning Post, Huawei is said to initiate sampling of its latest AI accelerator, Ascend 910C, to Chinese customers, which is regarded as an upgraded version of the Ascend 910B and claimed to be comparable to NVIDIA’s H100 GPU, which cannot be directly sold in China.

The report noted that this is not the first time Ren has expressed admiration for the U.S.. He also encouraged employees to learn from the U.S. in terms of technology and science during an internal meeting in 2021.

Read more

• [News] Huawei Reportedly Begins Sampling of Ascend 910C to Rival NVIDIA
• [News] U.S. Reportedly Investigates TSMC on whether It Manufactured AI or Smartphone Chips for Huawei

(Photo credit: Huawei)

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) announced on October 31 that it would keep the policy rate unchanged at 0.25%, meeting market expectations. This decision marks the second consecutive meeting of rate stability following the BOJ’s rate hike in July.

In its quarterly outlook report, the BOJ forecast that core inflation for fiscal year 2024 will remain around 2.5% due to easing pressures from import prices, with a gradual decline toward 2% expected between 2025 and 2026 amid moderate wage growth.

Regarding economic growth, the BOJ stated that Japan’s GDP growth has the potential to exceed its potential growth rate (0.5-1%) under conditions of continued financial easing and modest overseas economic growth.

(Source: BOJ)

In the post-meeting press conference, BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda remarked that, if economic and price trends evolve as anticipated, the central bank would respond by raising rates. Ueda also noted that factors contributing to market volatility, such as weak U.S. economic data, are gradually fading and that market stability has improved. While the upcoming U.S. election poses a potential risk, the BOJ would not require extended time to monitor market conditions.

Ueda’s comments reinforced his traditionally hawkish stance. According to Bloomberg, the majority of economists now believe that the probability of a rate hike in January has increased, with market expectations for a January hike rising from 19% in September to 32% in October.

 

Read more at Datatrack

• Outlook for Economic Activity and Prices
• Ueda Indicates BOJ Still on Track for More Rate Hikes After Hold

According to a report from MoneyDJ, citing the Reuters, as Chinese display manufacturers have been actively expanding their production capacity and aggressively capturing market share in recent years, it has raised concerns in the U.S. about potential dependence on China for a critical component in military technologies, posing significant security risks.

The Reuters referenced an upcoming report titled “Displays are the New Batteries,” by author Joe McReynolds, who emphasizes that displays are becoming increasingly crucial in computerized military equipment, including fighter jets and augmented reality systems that enable troops to overlay digital information on their battlefield view.

The Reuters pointed out that China’s subsidies for display manufacturers could drive competitors out of the market, potentially leaving the U.S. reliant on China. As a consequence, the market suggests that China’s display industry will be the next target of U.S. sanctions, as the report from MoneyDJ mentiond.

The rapid growth of China’s display industry is largely driven by significant subsidies from the Chinese government, which include low-interest loans, favorable tax rates, and discounted land purchases. It is estimated that these subsidies cover 50% to 70% of the costs associated with display factories, as the report from the Reuters pointed out.

According to the report from MoneyDJ, China has made significant national efforts to support its display industry, gradually surpassing South Korea, which has long dominated the industry.

Due to intense price competition from China, Samsung Display completely exited the LCD industry in June 2022, while LG Display shut down its South Korean LCD TV production line at the end of 2022, as indicated by the report in MoneyDJ.

Read more

• [News] BOE Looking to Become OLED Panel Leader, Rumored to Have a 50% Capacity Expansion
• [News] BOE Reportedly Set to Close the Gap with Korea Competitors in OLED Panel Technology to One Year

(Photo credit: BOE)

China’s manufacturing PMI rebounded into expansion territory, ending a five-month contraction, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics on October 31. The October manufacturing PMI reached 50.1, up by 0.3 percentage points from the previous period, exceeding market expectations of 49.9 and signaling an initial recovery in manufacturing activity.

Among sub-indices, all components saw improvements. The production index remained in expansion, rising 1 percentage point to 52, and the new orders index increased from contraction at 49.8 to 50.0. However, inventory, employment, and supplier delivery time indices continued in contraction.

Additional indicators reflected varied conditions, the new export orders index dipped slightly to 47.3, indicating slower global demand, while the producer price index rose 5.9 percentage points to 49.9, reflecting higher raw material costs and a recovery in domestic demand. The raw material purchase price index climbed 8.3 percentage points to 53.4, and the Operation expectations index improved by 2 percentage points to 54.

Read more at Datatrack

In the non-manufacturing sector, October’s PMI came in at 50.2, up by 0.2 percentage points from the prior period. While most key indices improved, only the input prices index reached expansion, with new orders, sales prices, and employment still in contraction territory.

Industry-specific analysis showed the construction sector’s business activity index declined by 0.3 percentage points from the previous month to 50.4, while services edged up by 0.2 percentage points to 50.1. Transportation, capital market services, and public utility management sectors had business activity indices above 55, whereas accommodation, software and IT services, and real estate sectors remained in contraction.

Read more at Datatrack

Overall, large-scale equipment upgrades and policies promoting consumer goods replacement are gradually supporting a recovery in manufacturing. Accommodative monetary policies also bolster manufacturing and services to some extent. China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee is set to convene from November 4 to November 8, and the strength of any new policies released will be crucial for sustaining demand recovery and meeting the 5% annual GDP growth target.