Blogs
Counting once, counting twice...
May 22, 2012 1:09 pm | by Screaming Circuits | CommentsLet's say you have two options: First, you could send in your PC boards for assembly as individuals. Second, you could send them in a panel. That's all fine and dandy. For a few, send individuals. For a bunch, panels...
Elephant Underpass in Kenya
May 21, 2012 11:32 pm | by Curious Cat Science and Engineering Blog | CommentsElephant Underpass Reuniting Kenya Herds The first of its kind for elephants, the underpass will ideally provide a safe corridor for the large mammals to move throughout the Mount Kenya region, where highways, fences, and farmlands have split elephant populations… … Continue reading →
Simple Summer Savings
May 21, 2012 12:26 pm | by Energy Savers Blog | CommentsIt's officially summer! Well, no, it isn't, but we are so close!
How Do You Save Energy With Your Electronics?
May 18, 2012 1:57 pm | by Energy Savers Blog | CommentsEarlier this week, Elizabeth talked about a study on how much energy the United States used in 2010 powering videogame consoles that weren't being used. But games aren't the only thing that's easy to leave on more than you need.
Goodbye, watts. Hello, LUMENS!
May 17, 2012 2:21 pm | by Energy Savers Blog | CommentsFor years, I bought light bulbs based on watts, or energy use. Like many light bulb consumers, I looked for a traditional 40, 60, 75, or 100 watt incandescent bulb. Now that stores today carry more and more energy efficient lighting choices, I wanted to replace my old incandescents with new bulbs to save energy and money on my electricity bill. But in shopping for the right bulb, I came across a challenge in looking for bulbs based on watts. Since these newer bulbs use less energy, I found bulbs that use 8, 15, or 26 watts. The wattages are pretty close to each other, but the brightness levels of each of these bulbs can vary a lot! Sound confusing? No worries. Read on, because there is a light at the end of this tunnel (pun intended)…
Modeling Weight Loss Over the Long Term
May 17, 2012 8:06 am | by Curious Cat Science and Engineering Blog | CommentsResearchers at the National Institutes of Health have created a mathematical model of what happens when people of varying weights, diets and exercise habits try to change their weight. The findings challenge the commonly held belief that eating 3,500 fewer … Continue reading →
Fiddling with fiducials again
May 14, 2012 5:46 pm | by Screaming Circuits | CommentsI recently posted a note about fiducials but I didn't have any images. Here's a couple of examples: This first example shows what IPC would like to see. If this is an individual board, this would be it. If it...
Dear 30% of gamers: Here's an easy way to save some money
May 14, 2012 5:21 pm | by Energy Savers Blog | CommentsA couple of years ago, I wrote an incredibly nerdy post about videogame consoles and energy. (I'm still stupidly proud of that lame Castlevania reference in the first line. Seriously.)
Repair cafes in the Netherlands
May 13, 2012 1:13 pm | by Curious Cat Science and Engineering Blog | CommentsRepair Cafes in The Netherlands Give Life Back to Broken Objects A new brand of DIY self-sufficiency is spreading across The Netherlands. Skilled craftswomen, mechanics, seamstresses, and handypersons are banding together to resist disposable consumer culture. It is the rise … Continue reading →
Do you have your own tips for saving fuel?
May 11, 2012 1:37 pm | by Energy Savers Blog | CommentsEarlier this week, Amanda shared a checklist on Fueleconomy.gov that helps you keep your car well maintained. Keeping your car well maintained is one way to make sure that it's not using more gas than it needs to.
A few simple steps for better gas mileage
May 9, 2012 3:20 pm | by Energy Savers Blog | CommentsLast week I went home for a family reunion. Visiting my family was great, and one of my favorite things was hanging out with my dad in the garage while he works on the car. When my siblings and I began to drive and own cars, my dad continually reminded us of the need to keep our cars on a regular maintenance schedule. With warmer spring weather here, and summer just around the corner, it’s a great time to get these things done. To make things easy, we have a checklist for you so it’s easy to remember what needs to be done.
Largest Google summer of code ever
May 8, 2012 6:53 pm | by Curious Cat Science and Engineering Blog | CommentsGoogle summer of code allows college students to work on open source software projects during the summer and get a $5,000 stipend from Google. Google Summer of Code 2012 by the Numbers This 8th year of Google Summer of Code … Continue reading →
The future of video inspection system products looks bright
May 8, 2012 4:04 pm | by Jim Norton, President, Custom Products & Services | CommentsIn recent years, many electronics manufacturers have been adopting the use of video inspection systems. These systems utilize digital cameras to perform many of the visual inspection functions formerly performed with optical microscopes. Digital camera technology has improved to the point where the image quality now rivals that of optical instruments for many applications.
Good for the Community, Good for the Globe
May 7, 2012 10:58 am | by Energy Savers Blog | CommentsApril showers may be best known for bringing in May flowers, but in my D.C. neighborhood, they also bring in…a local farmers market! There's something about fresh produce that just tastes better - kale is a little spicier, strawberries a little sweeter, and tomatoes are completely different fruit than those watery things sold at the grocery store. And it's so nice to know that I'm supporting my local farmers and economy by buying at the farmers market.
Using Nanocomposites to Improve Dental Filling Performance
May 6, 2012 8:14 am | by Curious Cat Science and Engineering Blog | CommentsAfter a dentist drills out a decayed tooth, the cavity still contains residual bacteria. Professor Huakun (Hockin) Xu says it is not possible for a dentist to remove all the damaged tissue, so it’s important to neutralize the harmful effects … Continue reading →
