Links to leading research and development bodies yield top results

The Weifang Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone is encouraging companies to partner with leading research and development institutes to strengthen their technological innovation capabilities.

Weifang Wanlong Electric Co Ltd, a traditional electrical products manufacturer in the zone, on April 3 joined forces with the Chinese Academy of Sciences to launch a new institute aimed at speeding up its work on thermoacoustics - a type of energy generation using heat to create sound, and sound to create electricity - and the commercialization of that technology.

On the same day, Wanlong also obtained 1 million yuan ($156,156) in funding from the zone to support its recruitment plans for the institute.