Blogs
Is Apple changing its mind on touch panel structures?
January 18, 2013 9:33 am | by Calvin, Senior Analyst at DisplaySearch | Display Search | CommentsRecently, the supply chain has been buzzing about potential changes in the touch technologies used for future iPhones and iPads, in particular involving LCD suppliers rather than touch panel makers. First came a report that Innolux had delivered TOD (touch on display) samples for the iPhone....
Would these “smart” ice cubes change how you drink?
January 17, 2013 2:24 pm | by Kasey Panetta, Associate Editor | CommentsSometimes great technology comes out of bad life experiences. Like the time Dhairya Dand from MIT Media Lab was so intoxicated he blacked out, and came up with an idea for a technology that would prevent people from drinking too much.By placing a smart LED inside molds of waterproof, edible jelly...
Texas’ light bulb law: Not the brightest bulb on the tree
January 17, 2013 12:13 pm | by Karl Stephan, Consulting Engineer, Texas State University, San Marcos | CommentsEach January brings with it a slew of laws scheduled to take effect on the first of the year, and 2013 is no exception. As of Jan. 1, for example, it is now illegal to make or sell new 100-watt and 75-watt light bulbs that do not meet the efficiency standards of the federal Energy Independence and Security Act (nicknamed ERISA).
More cautionary tails
January 16, 2013 10:07 am | by Screaming Circuits | CommentsI recently wrote about the horrors of LED marking variations. Unfortunately, LEDs aren't the only place to find inconsistencies in our world. Another part to keep a close eye on is the ubiquitous three-terminal voltage regulator. For just short of...
Are we running out of wind?
January 15, 2013 8:53 am | by M. Simon, Technical Contributor | CommentsThe first mate gave me a heads-up about about the state of wind energy locally. Gamesa USA is pulling out of a proposed wind farm development in Ogle County, Illinois. saukvalley.com reports....
4k2k: Are we underestimating its value?
January 14, 2013 11:31 am | by Paul Gray, Director of European TV Research, DisplaySearch | Display Search | CommentsWith the predictable run of 4k2k announcements this CES, most comments have sensibly focused on content availability. This was undoubtedly the single greatest factor in the failure of 3D to create a revival in the TV market.
Delving into superconductors
January 14, 2013 8:29 am | by M. Simon, Technical Contributor | CommentsEver since Polywell Fusion caught my attention, superconducting magnets have been a large side interest of mine. I keep track of papers published in the field through IOP Science - Superconductor Science and Technology. They post a list of papers every month which are freely available for personal use for the first month after publication.
Could this circuit board prevent 2,000 infant deaths per year?
January 11, 2013 9:23 am | by Editor | CommentsSIDS is the leading cause of death among infants between the ages of one month to one year. The most recent statistics put the number of deaths at about 2,226 per year, nearly seven infants per day.In hopes of lowering the number of infants who succumb to SIDS,
This flashlight can operate on any battery
January 10, 2013 9:23 am | by Kasey Panetta, Associate Editor | CommentsPicture this: You’re sitting in front of the television one night watching Ax Men when suddenly the power goes out. Stumbling over to the hall closet, you rummage around on the shelves for a flashlight. Finally, after nearly strangling yourself with a scarf, you locate the light only to discover it needs batteries.
2012 Gordon Prize for Innovation in Engineering and Technology Education
January 10, 2013 7:02 am | by Curious Cat Science and Engineering Blog | CommentsI have posted on the Olin College of Engineering several times. I really like what they are doing. Innovation in engineering education will pay high dividends, especially providing a focus on the nexus of engineering and entrepreneurship. Olin College of … Continue reading →
How NOT to mark a diode
January 9, 2013 10:00 am | by Screaming Circuits | CommentsA while back, I wrote about ambiguity in the markings on electrolytic capacitors. In doing that, I cobbled together a little image to illustrate how surface mount electrolytics are marked. Take a look at the image below: Note how I...
RFID Technology – Taking Notes from Orwell
January 8, 2013 3:01 pm | by Chris Fox, Associate Editor, PD&D | CommentsRadio-frequency identification (RFID) technology has been a controversial issue for quite some time, but for one reason or another, nobody seems to be talking about it – at least not very loudly. Consider this my mountain-top proclamation.
Quick Webcast With a Few Interesting Science Facts
January 7, 2013 9:19 am | by Curious Cat Science and Engineering Blog | CommentsInteresting facts: I didn’t know that we require 13 minerals or that alcoholic beverages contain amounts of all the minerals we need. An amazing fact: the average person walks the equivalent of 3 times around the earth in a lifetime. … Continue reading →
It's BAAACK: Ready or not, here comes RoHS 2
January 3, 2013 10:42 am | by Ken Manchen, Director of Safety & Environmental Affairs, Newark element14 | Newark | CommentsEvery North American electronics company that trades in the EU should make at least one New Year’s Resolution: to learn how RoHS 2 will impact them, because ready or not, this regulation takes effect January 2, 2013.
How corn syrup might be making us fat
January 3, 2013 3:38 am | by Curious Cat Science and Engineering Blog | CommentsHow Corn Syrup Might Be Making Us Hungry–and Fat by Katherine Harmon …Glucose lowered the activity of the hypothalamus but fructose actually prompted a small spike to this area. As might be expected from these results, the glucose drink alone … Continue reading →
