Serving the Electronic Design Community Since 1956
Canada's Singing Astronaut
May 15, 2013 10:04 am | by Screaming Circuits | Blogs | CommentsIf you're going to exit, you may as well exit in style and I can't think of a better example than Commander Chris Hadfield's "good by" from the International Space Station on Monday (May 13). Thank you, Astronaut Hadfield. Since...
Space Oddity
May 15, 2013 9:01 am | Videos | CommentsA revised version of David Bowie's Space Oddity, recorded by Commander Chris Hadfield onboard the International Space Station. This is believed to be the first music video recorded in space (and as Internet memes go, it sure beats silly cat videos). Captioning kindly provided by CHS (www.chs.ca)
Google poised to show off latest devices, services
May 15, 2013 1:22 am | by MICHAEL LIEDTKE - AP Technology Writer - Associated Press | News | CommentsGoogle is expected to use its annual software developers' conference to showcase the latest mobile devices running on its Android software, while also unveiling other features in its evolving product line-up. The gathering, scheduled to begin Wednesday morning in San Francisco, provides Google...
Secret of efficient photosynthesis is decoded
May 14, 2013 5:42 pm | by Massachusetts Institute of Technology | News | CommentsPurple bacteria are among Earth’s oldest organisms, and among its most efficient in turning sunlight into usable chemical energy. Now, a key to their light-harvesting prowess has been explained through a detailed structural analysis by scientists at MIT.A ring-shaped molecule with an unusual ninefold symmetry is critical, the researchers found. The circular symmetry accounts for its efficiency in converting sunlight, and for its mecha...
Open innovation spurs ultimate American success
May 14, 2013 4:35 pm | by Louise Rainone, Vice President of Marketing, PCDworks | Blogs | CommentsUnder Armour is always a great example of innovation as a whole. The company began with an idea, a need and pure hunger to be the best, and it has become the ultimate American success story. UA has a candid approach to roundtable conversations. They sit down and talk about a technology’s strengths and weaknesses; ponder the potential length of time-to-market; and have heart-to-heart conversations to explain the contract.
Digital multimeter features ultra-competitive price
May 14, 2013 4:15 pm | Product Releases | CommentsRigol Technologies introduces the DM3058E digital multimeter, designed with 5 ½ digits resolution and dual-display at an industry-leading price of $449. As the first 5 ½ digit digital DMM in the industry to be LXI certified, the DM3058E can also enable system integration, fitting the needs of high-precision, multifunction and automatic measurement applications.
Test leads assess lightning protection in wind turbine blades
May 14, 2013 4:03 pm | Product Releases | CommentsMegger now offer a new series of test leads for use with wind turbines. The unique KC series are long enough to be used for assessing the continuity of lightning protection conductors in wind turbine blades. Developed and designed in conjunction with key wind turbine manufacturers, the KC series is the first commercially available product of its kind to have been specifically designed for wind turbine applications.
LIN communication devices include integrated voltage regulation & watchdog functionality
May 14, 2013 3:44 pm | Melexis | Product Releases | CommentsThe local interconnect network (LIN) bus continues to see widespread adoption in the automotive world. This robust, cost-effective communication protocol allows implementation of many basic networking functions in sub-systems previously considered to be uneconomical for smart actuators and controls.
25 MBd digital optocoupler device achieves 3,750 VRMS signal isolation
May 14, 2013 3:06 pm | Product Releases | CommentsAvago Technologies announced a new dual-channel bi-directional 25 MBd digital optocoupler device, the ACSL-7210. The device is a dual-channel high speed digital optocoupler optimized for bi-directional industrial communication networks using high speed protocols such as PROFIBUS fieldbus and Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI).
PCAP LCDS ideal for rugged industrial-strength applications
May 14, 2013 2:55 pm | Product Releases | CommentsSharp Microelectronics of the Americas (SMA) announced the addition of multi-touch PCAP (Projective Capacitive Touch) displays to its all-LED backlit TFT LCD line up. The two new panels are 7.0-inch and 10.4-inch diagonal, with additional sizes expected in the future, including a 4.3-inch (diagonal).
Silicon diodes offer ‘soft’ switching and low reverse recovery charge
May 14, 2013 2:44 pm | Power Integrations | Product Releases | CommentsPower Integrations introduced the LQA200 series of 200V diodes. The company’s Qspeed high-performance silicon diodes are based on merged-PIN technology that offers ‘soft’ switching and low reverse recovery charge (Qrr). This unique balance of features enables high-frequency operation and permits the use of small, inexpensive magnetic components....
50 watt dimmable LED power supplies feature a universal 100- 277VAC input
May 14, 2013 2:28 pm | Calex Mfg | Product Releases | CommentsGreen Watt Power announces the introduction of the GLCD 50 Watt constant current dimmable LED power supplies. The dimming options for the GLCD 50 include 0-10V, PWM and external potentiometer. All models feature a universal 100-277VAC input with nominal output current values of 500mA, 700mA, 1.05A, 1.4A, 1.75A, 2.1A and 2.8A.
Three X-class flares in 24 hours
May 14, 2013 12:29 pm | by NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center | News | CommentsThe sun emitted a third significant solar flare in under 24 hours, peaking at 9:11 p.m. EDT on May 13, 2013. This flare is classified as an X3.2 flare. This is the strongest X-class flare of 2013 so far, surpassing in strength the two X-class flares that occurred earlier in the 24-hour period.
Solar panels as inexpensive as paint? It’s possible
May 14, 2013 12:10 pm | by University at Buffalo | News | CommentsResearchers are helping develop a new generation of photovoltaic cells that produce more power and cost less to manufacture than what’s available today. One of the more promising efforts involves the use of plasmonic-enhanced organic photovoltaic materials.
Yale psychiatrist: Get the most out of life — get out of your own way
May 14, 2013 12:00 pm | by Yale UniversityYale University | News | CommentsThose moments in life when you are most fully engaged have a common element — you let go of all concerns, resentments, and thoughts of yourself, says Yale psychiatrist Dr. Judson Brewer, who asserts that people can improve their performance and even quit smoking through a technique called neurofeedback....
