I think it would help to cite a bit more of the reported detail here; for me, it provided relevance to the HN context and a reason for some albeit unconfirmed s

I think it would help to cite a bit more of the reported detail here; for me, it provided relevance to the HN context and a reason for some albeit unconfirmed suspicion: His parents said they believed their son had been murdered over his work at the Institute of Microelectronics (IME), which is part of [A-STAR]. IME carries out research on microelectronics to help develop the industry in Singapore. Some areas of focus include miniaturised medical devices, sensors and circuits. Dr Todd, who was trained as an engineer, worked for the institute between December 2010 and May last year and, according to the FT, led a team specialising in a next-generation semiconductor material called gallium nitride (GaN). The material can withstand extreme heat and power levels well beyond the more traditionally used silicon. An external hard drive discovered by Dr Todd's parents in his home after his death contained apparent plans between the institute and Huawei, a Chinese telecoms giant, to develop a device known as a GaN amplifier, which has many commercial uses, the FT said. But the GaN amplifier could also be used in electronic warfare to jam signals and weapons, and to create high-powered radar systems to boost military capabilities, said experts consulted by FT. The involvement of Huawei would be problematic because the firm has been deemed a security risk by governments, the FT said. Last year, a United States government intelligence committee said, after an 11-month investigation, that it suspected communications equipment made by Huawei could be used for spying. The committee's report cited analysts' concerns that Huawei has links to and is influenced by the Chinese government, despite it claiming to be a private company. Huawei has denied these suspicions, although it admitted in a US government report that an internal Communist Party committee does exist within the company, as required by law... According to FT, Dr Todd's parents said that their son had seemed increasingly stressed in the months before his death. "I am being asked to do things with a Chinese company that make me uncomfortable," Mrs Todd recalled her son saying. "He said he felt he was being asked to compromise American security," she added.