LOCAL scientists are developing an in-flight wireless entertainment system allowing airline passengers to use cell phones onboard, experts said yesterday.

Currently, commercial aircraft use heavy cables for entertainment systems onboard and there are restrictions on cell phones, said officials of the Shanghai Advanced Research Institute under the Chinese Academy of Sciences at Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park.

But in a joint project between the institute and Boeing, these problems could be solved within three years, SARI officials said.

The institute said this is an example of it developing new technologies based on market demand through cooperation with business. To achieve this, SARI has departments focusing on integrated science and new materials, information technology, space and marine technology, energy and environment, life sciences and an industrial technology center.

At present, only 5 percent of domestic research achievements make it to industrial use; the institute aims to achieve a 30 percent target by 2015.

SARI will also set up a research-oriented university in 2020, recruiting 2,000 students for bachelor degrees and 6,000 for masters and doctorate degrees, said Feng Songlin, the institute director.

Yesterday, SARI signed agreements on joint laboratories with 12 enterprises and work began on a 700 million yuan (US$105 million) key scientific center on protein research. (ShanghaiDaily)