Applications
DoD cancels “participation trophy” for drone pilots
April 16, 2013 4:03 pm | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | Blogs | CommentsThe DoD has finally backed down. And I applaud their decision. Following months of negative feedback, the DoD has officially scuttled the Distinguished Warfare Medal. The DWM — intended for drone operators — would’ve ranked ahead of the Bronze Star and Purple Heart (two combat decorations) in the order of precedence.
Researchers devise X-ray approach to track surgical devices
April 16, 2013 11:34 am | by NC State University | News | CommentsResearchers from North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) have developed a new tool to help surgeons use X-rays to track devices used in “minimally invasive” surgical procedures while also limiting the patient’s exposure to radiation from the X-rays.
Why the government should ban cellphones while driving
April 16, 2013 10:28 am | by Kasey Panetta, Managing Editor | Blogs | CommentsThis term “nanny state” is an interesting one. It’s a term people throw out when they feel the government is infringing on their right to do something stupid. Frankly, if people could be trusted to police themselves, we wouldn’t have any laws at all.
UCLA engineers craft new material for high-performing 'supercapacitors'
April 16, 2013 9:33 am | by EurekAlert! | News | CommentsTaking a significant step toward improving the power delivery of systems ranging from urban electrical grids to regenerative braking in hybrid vehicles, researchers at the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science have synthesized a material that shows high capability for both the rapid storage and release of energy.
ORNL leading study focused on afterlife of electric vehicle batteries
April 16, 2013 9:25 am | by EurekAlert! | News | CommentsOnce they've finished powering electric vehicles for hundreds of thousands of miles, it may not be the end of the road for automotive batteries, which researchers believe can provide continued benefits for consumers, automakers and the environment.
Glasses read to the blind
April 16, 2013 9:14 am | Videos | CommentsA unique pair of eyeglasses developed by a Florida International Univ. (FIU) student team could revolutionize the lives of the blind, enabling them to walk into a library or a store, pick up any book or a can of soup and read it. The Eyetalk concept, initially conceived for a student competition in social entrepreneurship...
VCO operates at 6400 MHz with a tuning voltage range of 0.3 Vdc to 4.7 Vdc
April 15, 2013 4:30 pm | Product Releases | CommentsCrystek’s new CVCO55CXT-6400-6400 Coaxial Resonator Oscillator (CRO) is a coaxial-based VCO with an internal proprietary frequency doubler. The CVCO55CXT family’s frequency doubling, 2X fundamental technology reaches new performance levels of lower phase noise and much lower harmonics over the competition, while achieving lower current consumption in the process.
Network cube enclosure available in compact size
April 15, 2013 4:16 pm | New Age Enclosures | Product Releases | CommentsNew Age Enclosures announces the release of a sleek new enclosure called “The Network Cube”. Identified as part number S-202010, the compact design measures just 2.0” in length, 2.0” in width, and 1.0” in height. The term Network Cube was chosen as its size is an ideal fit with coaxial plugs, Ethernet interface, and as an RF interface node.
Connection system protects the user from DC arcing during mating and unmating
April 15, 2013 3:49 pm | Anderson Power Products | Product Releases | CommentsAnderson Power Products announces the launch of the Saf-D-Grid Ultra Short Receptacle. The Saf-D-Grid connection system protects the user from DC arcing during mating and unmating. This innovative design enables the safe connection of DC electronic devices to a DC micro grid powered by high efficiency DC sources.
Power supply features maximum output voltage up to 280VDC
April 15, 2013 3:06 pm | Product Releases | CommentsThe series of constant current (CC) models of the high-voltage output (maximum output voltage up to 280VDC) with IP65/67 design for customers’ choices and with the efficiency up to 91%. This series are built-in two-stage PFC circuit to achieve the EU harmonic interference limited of lighting products requirements EN61000-3-2 Class C (load> 50 to 55%)....
Compact IRED ideal for gesture detection
April 15, 2013 2:37 pm | Osram Opto Semiconductors | Product Releases | CommentsThe new infrared (IRED) Oslon black SFH 4716S from Osram Opto Semiconductors is one of the most powerful IREDs on the market, with an optical output of 1030 milliwatts (mW) and a beam angle of 150 degrees. It offers perfect illumination at a range of a few yards/meters and is ideal for gesture detection systems....
LED roof-mount light includes manual controls
April 15, 2013 2:16 pm | Larson Electronics Llc | Product Releases | CommentsLarson Electronics Magnalight released the RFM-LED-7 roof mounted, pan and tilt LED light. Equipped with a handle and shaft suited for most standard vehicles, this roof mounted LED light can be positioned quickly and easily by operators from inside their vehicle.
We all need Google Fiber
April 15, 2013 1:16 pm | by Joel Hans, Managing Editor, Manufacturing.net | Blogs | CommentsAlmost a year ago, Google launched its first broadband internet network, Google Fiber, in Kansas City (the Kansas and Missouri versions both), with speeds that severely overshadowed currently-available cable and DSL providers for a fraction of the cost. Consumers were able to sign up for 1 gigabit download speeds for a mere $70 a month.
Two-Watt UV LED promises energy and space savings
April 15, 2013 10:13 am | by Lumex, TitanBrite, UV, LED, solid state lighting | Lumex Inc. | Product Releases | CommentsLumex announced the launch of its TitanBrite 2W UV LED. Available in a standard 405nm wavelength (purple), it is asserted to provide twice the power output of standard high power LEDs for a wide range of applications. The TitanBrite 2W UV LED (SML-LXL8047UVC Series) is said to
Computers are the new Freud of dreams
April 15, 2013 9:25 am | by Stephanie Carmichael, Contributor | Blogs | CommentsWe use computers for just about everything: communicating, avoiding long lines at the mall, and even ordering pizza. Thanks to new research, their presence is extending beyond our waking lives. It might sound like something out of science fiction, but scientists have discovered a way to use computers to read people’s minds.
ADC offers excellent AC and DC performance with true bipolar input range
April 12, 2013 2:40 pm | Mouser Electronics, Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. | Product Releases | CommentsMouser Electronics is now stocking the industry's smallest true bipolar +/-5V, 18-bit analog-to-digital converter from Maxim Integrated. MAX11156 SAR ADC offers excellent AC and DC performance with true bipolar input range.
Bose-Einstein condensates for communicating among quantum computers
April 12, 2013 1:25 pm | by EurekAlert! | News | CommentsQuantum computers promise to perform certain types of operations much more quickly than conventional digital computers. But many challenges must be addressed before these ultra-fast machines become available, among them, the loss of order in the systems, which worsens as the number of bits in a quantum computer increases.
Low-profile, surface-mount power inductors suit high-frequency switching applications
April 12, 2013 12:47 pm | Murata Power Solutions Inc. | Product Releases | CommentsMurata announced the Murata Power Solutions 3000A and 3000B series of low-profile power inductors for use in noise reduction circuits of high-frequency and high-current switching power supplies, DC-DC converters, and voltage regulator modules.
Ionizing gun designed for safe, effective contaminant removal for industrial applications
April 12, 2013 10:04 am | Product Releases | CommentsNRD is pleased to announce the launch of the new Clean Room Ionizing Gun, model P-2021-5942. Designed, assembled and packaged for use in a wide variety of clean room applications, the Clean Room Ionizing Gun utilizes NRD’s proprietary Alpha Ionizing technology, providing safe, durable and highly effective static and contaminant removal.
The nanny state should loosen its grip on cell phones
April 11, 2013 3:24 pm | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | Blogs | CommentsWe’ve written a lot on ECN about automotive safety and its intersection with cutting-edge technology. Texting, Facebooking, and web surfing pose an existential concern for distracted drivers (not to mention pilots, train conductors, and boat captains), but the nanny state has really overreached on this one: A California court recently found a motorist guilty of distracted driving for checking a map on his iPhone.
Goodbye fluorescent bulb? Philips says yes.
April 11, 2013 2:09 pm | by Toby Sterling, Associated Press | News | CommentsIf you've worked in an office, you're probably familiar with the soft glow of fluorescent tubes drifting from the ceiling. If Europe's Philips brand is right, those lamps could soon be history. Royal Philips NV, the Dutch consumer appliances giant, said Thursday that it has developed an LED light that will soon be far more efficient than the best fluorescents on the market.
Engineering Update #8: Glasses-free 3D and a near replacement for Knight Rider
April 11, 2013 10:04 am | Videos | CommentsA new screen protector from Nanovue, called the EyeFly, gives mobile devices a glasses-free 3D display. Made out of a thin, transparent film, the nano-engineered EyeFly is essentially a piece of plastic film with thousands of finite lenses on the surface that use nano-imprinting technology.
Who’s the fool? – Profound discoveries or elaborate pranks
April 11, 2013 9:44 am | by Chris Fox, Associate Editor, PD&D | Blogs | CommentsWe all know the old adage that surrounds the first day of April. We’ve all taken part in or fallen victim to an April Fools prank at some point. In the contemporary realm, April Fools has taken on an entirely different persona. April 1 used to be a day where the bully in school could yell out the hallmark and get away with tripping you in the hallway (kind of)....
Power analyzer enables precise current measurements on real-world signals
April 10, 2013 5:01 pm | Product Releases | CommentsTektronix announced its new precision multi-phase Power Analyzer. Featuring the industry’s first Spiral Shunt design (patent application submitted), the Tektronix PA4000 Power Analyzer gives power electronics engineers stable, precise current measurements even on highly distorted power waveforms common in many applications.
Processor blade delivers telecom-grade performance with optimum cost efficiency
April 10, 2013 3:17 pm | Adlink Technology | Product Releases | CommentsADLINK Technology rolls out the newest member of its AdvancedTCA blade family, the aTCA-9300. The aTCA-9300 delivers high performance, high-throughput connectivity, versatile and rich I/O, reliability at a cost-effective price, and is suitable for high-end applications such as network monitoring or media streaming.
