Blogs
The Tin Foil Hat Brigade Strikes Again
August 17, 2009 12:33 pm | by by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | CommentsIn what’s sure to encourage conspiracy nuts worldwide, Britain has released the government's complete file on the "Rendlesham Forest Incident" of December 1980. The 191-page document was released as part of a larger cache of British “UFO files” covering the years 1981-1996. Lacking a concrete explanation, the government had nonetheless determined that the UFO spotted in Rendelsham posed no threat.
Simple Light Load Control Meets the New Energy Efficiency Standards
August 17, 2009 7:36 am | by Kevin Turchin, FAE Manager, ROHM Semiconductor USA | CommentsEnergy efficiency standards have typically concentrated on two ends of the spectrum – full load efficiency and standby power. As a result, popular PWM buck regulators available today demonstrate high efficiency at full load (>80%) levels and incorporate standby circuitry to comply with the <1W and lower initiatives. Improved efficiency at all operating points is an important concern in the design of next generation “green” products.
A Bold Claim: Chevy Volt Gets 230 MPG
August 11, 2009 6:53 am | by by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | CommentsFool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice….well, you know the rest. When Raser Technologies claimed their re-jiggered Electric Hummer got 100 miles per gallon, I thought they fudged a few numbers. But for GM to claim 230 MPG for the Volt…well, that’s taking a trip to fantasyland, with magical goblins and unicorns.
July sees big jump in fuel efficiency of new cars
August 11, 2009 6:22 am | by Seth Borenstein, AP Science Writer | CommentsCars and light trucks sold in July got more miles per gallon than those sold in previous months, say researchers, who credit the Cash for Clunkers program. The average mileage for new vehicles rose from 21.4 miles per gallon in June to 22.1 mpg in July. That may not sound like much, but it's
Printable Solar Panels on the Cheap
August 6, 2009 12:40 pm | by by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | CommentsOne of the hottest trends in power is “conductive ink”—that is, ink that conducts electricity. Thus, we’ve seen the emergence of ultra-thin power solutions such as Fraunhofer Research Institution's silk-screened batteries. One of the variants is printable solar cells, a technology still in its infancy. But the US Air Force, in conjunction with Plextronics, has developed what they purport to be a “significant step forward in printing inexpensive solar cells.”
Industry groups sue over NYC e-waste recycling law
July 30, 2009 6:27 am | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | CommentsThe Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) have filed a legal challenge against a New York City law mandating door-to-door collection of e-waste. Local Law No. 13, taking effect July 31st, forces all electronic manufacturers doing business in NYC to provide free door-to-door collection services for covered equipment.
Nissan Unveils New E-Car Prototype
July 28, 2009 9:19 am | CommentsNissan Motor today previewed its electric vehicle (EV) platform on a Tiida-based prototype. It also showcased a sophisticated EV-IT system developed to support electric driving 24/7. The dedicated EV platform is comprised of a highly rigid body, high-performance motor, compact lithium-ion battery with high power output and energy capacity.
North Carolina Town Going Green With LED Technology
July 22, 2009 5:58 am | CommentsPhilips Lumec has been chosen by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of western North Carolina to light their downtown streetscapes with their environmentally responsible LED lighting solutions. In doing so, they clearly place this town of 14,500 residents, located on the South end of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, in the vanguard of communities choosing environmentally responsible LED lighting technologies.
LED Controller Features 'In-Situ' Temperature Compensation
July 22, 2009 5:42 am | CommentsLeadis Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: LDIS), an analog and mixed-signal semiconductor developer of LED drivers for consumer electronic devices, today announced sample availability of the LDS9001 and LDS9003, two new LED controllers featuring Leadis' patent pending LED-Sense(TM) Temperature Compensation engine. This innovative feature allows for direct in-situ monitoring of the LED junction temperature without the need for an external temperature sensor
Institute Unveils OLED that is 75% More Efficient
July 20, 2009 1:37 pm | by by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | CommentsThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has purportedly created an Organic Light Emitting Diode that is 75% more efficient than previous models. Led by Prof. Kyung-Cheol Choi, the KAIST team discovered a new type of surface plasmon enhanced OLED. KAIST explains their finding thusly: “For surface plasmon localization, silver nanoparticles were thermally deposited in a high vacuum on cathode.
GE Targets Net Zero Energy Homes by 2015
July 17, 2009 5:21 am | CommentsGE announced today that by 2015 it is developing a turn-key product portfolio that will empower consumers to build — both new home builders and existing homeowners — to efficiently consume, manage and generate electricity to enable an overall net zero annual energy.
Coming Soon: Silk-Screened Batteries
July 14, 2009 10:36 am | by by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | CommentsWho knew those shady vendors hawking silk-screened t-shirts at tourist traps were leading the tech revolution? Actually, that claim belongs to the Fraunhofer Research Institution, but who’s keeping track? The German institute has developed a printable battery that is produced using a silk-screening process similar to that used in t-shirts.
IMEC announces new partnerships and a new pilot line for its solar cell research program
July 14, 2009 7:29 am | CommentsIMEC announced that it has established new partnerships with solar cell material and equipment suppliers. These companies, including MEMC Electronic Materials Inc., Leybold Optics Dresden GmbH, Roth & Rau AG, and Mallinckrodt Baker B.V., have concluded joint-development agreements with IMEC in the frame of IMEC’s newly launched wafer-based silicon photovoltaics industrial affiliation program (IIAP).
Survey Reveals Contractors as Influencers for Adoption of LED Lighting
July 13, 2009 10:04 am | CommentsA recent survey of electrical and lighting contractors demonstrates their importance in the specifying and recommendation of LED lighting products for building projects. According to the survey respondents, contractors are involved in recommending LED lighting more than 70% of the time. Yet a majority of respondents said they would be interested in receiving more training on product installation, benefits, and layout
World's first fuel cell aircraft takes off in Germany
July 7, 2009 7:35 pm | CommentsThe world's first piloted aircraft capable of taking to the air using only power from fuel cells took off in Germany Tuesday, producing zero carbon dioxide emissions, its makers said. "We have improved the performance capabilities and efficiency of the fuel cell to such an extent that a piloted aircraft is now able to take off using it," said Johann-Dietrich Woerner from the German Aerospace Center (DLR).
