In November 2024, the 28th Annual Conference on Voltage Dependent Resistor (VDR) Technology, hosted by the Sensor and Microsystems Division of the Chinese Institute of Electronics, was held grandly in Nanchang, Jiangxi. Boarden Electronics attended the conference to promote the localization and multi-sector application of high-energy surface mount varistors (SMD MOVs).
The event brought together more than 220 leading experts, scholars, and industry representatives from across China. Distinguished attendees included Mr. Ji Youzhang (Advisor of the VDR Committee), Mr. Lin Sheng (Chairman of Guangdong Hongzhi), Mr. Huang Zhangqing (Chairman of Huage Electronics), Mr. Fei Zihao (General Manager of Guiyang Yige), and Mr. Cheng Xinchang (Deputy GM of Hongzhi).
Academic experts like Professor Yao Zheng from Shanghai University, Professor Lu Zhenya from South China University of Technology, Researcher Li Guorong from Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, and Chief Expert Zhang Junfeng from Shaanxi Huaxing were also invited to share their insights.
Conference Highlights
The agenda covered key areas of varistor technology including material formulation, manufacturing processes, electrical performance, electrode pastes, surge protection strategies, and industry standards. Experts delivered keynote speeches and engaged in interactive discussions to share the latest research outcomes and practical experience.
A highlight of the event was the release of the official conference proceedings, including 29 academic papers contributed by researchers nationwide.
Boarden’s Technical Contribution
Boarden Electronics, represented by Dr. Li Jixiao, gave a dedicated presentation titled “Characteristics and Applications of High-Energy Surface Mount Varistors”. Dr. Li introduced Boarden’s technological breakthroughs in low-temperature co-fired ceramics and shared the company’s progress in promoting high-energy SMD MOVs in mass production.
Dr. Li emphasized that the miniaturization, SMD packaging, and high-energy design of varistors are vital to the current industry trend toward smaller, lighter components. Most varistors today remain in through-hole form, while SMD versions have vast growth potential—particularly given the low SMD adoption rate in China’s electronic component market.
Compared with conventional leaded MOVs and even TVS diodes, Boarden’s SMD MOVs demonstrate better repeatability, surge clamping consistency, and superior thermal stability at 125°C, making them strong candidates for replacing TVS in high-temperature, high-voltage SMD applications.
Dr. Li illustrated typical applications of high-energy SMD MOVs, highlighting LED lighting as a key use case. As the lighting industry transitions from switch-mode power supplies to linear drivers, Boarden’s MOVs have addressed critical circuit protection bottlenecks, supporting the sector’s development.
Additional application cases covered by Dr. Li included domestic substitution efforts in communication and security systems, as well as broader uses in industrial control, automotive electronics, smart homes, and consumer electronics.
He concluded by encouraging the entire industry to deepen R\&D and accelerate the adoption of high-energy SMD MOVs—key national-level strategic components essential to raising the technological level of China’s electronics industry.
Boarden’s Outlook
The conference affirmed Boarden’s leadership in the field as the first company to scale production of high-energy SMD MOVs. The strong response from attendees reflected the industry’s recognition of Boarden’s role, and Boarden left the event further inspired and motivated. Moving forward, Boarden remains committed to innovation, collaboration, and advancing surge protection technology across wider applications and greater technical depth.
