The Knowledge to Decide

As China aims to shift from quantity to quality economic growth in 2018, it aims to foster high-quality job creation in fields like robotics and artificial intelligence (AI), while forestalling global financial risks. Will 2018 still see China regain its old dominance of global growth? Leon Perera, Chief Executive Officer of Spire Research and Consulting, shared his insights in China Daily – Asia Weekly. The world economy is poised for an upturn. This is not only due to China’s economic success. Perera remarked that the decrease in the headline US corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% – one of the lowest in the developed world; and Japan’s economic reforms under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe are some of the contributing factors to the improved global economic outlook in 2018. Moreover, disruptive technologies such as drones and AI will give rise to employment opportunities globally in new sectors, compensating for eliminated traditional jobs. However, this movement depends on ho

Chinese researchers from Jiangnan University (in November 2016) made a recent break through by adding melanin in small quantities to polyurethane (a polymer), making the material sturdier. Melanin is the natural protein found in the skin, hair and the iris of animals that gives color as well as protects them from ultraviolet rays. On the other hand, Polyurethane is a polymer used in materials to manufacture products such as tires, wheels and foam seating to name a few. Will skin pigments in polyurethane revolutionize materials used in manufacturing? https://www.spireresearch.com/newsroom/spirethoughts/skin-pigments-to-strengthen-sofas/

How can Singapore defend its electronics manufacturing hub position in the face of stiff regional and global competition? Leon Perera, CEO of Spire Research and Consulting shared his thoughts in The Business Times – Views from the Top section on 2 October 2017 on Singapore’s evolving role in the global electronics sector. To thrive in the global electronics supply chain, Singapore should focus on raising its game in terms of engineering, data science, cultural studies and professional services. Perera opined that Singapore needs constant innovation in terms of production and design, so as to meet the needs of producing complex electronics devices with short product life cycles. Today’s electronics products contain a large element of embedded services and software, which are prone to frequent upgrades. Singapore should work on creating a conducive environment for enterprises to recruit inter-disciplinary teams that can launch breakthrough electronics products. Such tea