Applications
Hybrid capacitor characteristics, performance, and applications
May 16, 2013 2:15 pm | by David A. Evans, Evans Capacitor Company, www.evanscap.com | Articles | CommentsAn electrolytic capacitor has two electrodes, one with a dielectric, that relies on electrostatic charge storage. A battery has electrodes that store energy faradaically in electrochemical reactions involving the electrodes and electrolyte. A hybrid capacitor is the combination of two electrodes, one that stores charge electrostatically, and the other storing charge faradaically.
Smart electronics reduce energy consumption and improve performance of piezoelectric ultrasonic motors
May 16, 2013 2:10 pm | by David Henderson, co-CEO, New Scale Technologies, Inc., www.newscaletech.com | Articles | CommentsPiezoelectric ultrasonic motors (piezo motors) are a distinct class of rotary and linear actuators requiring unique driving circuits to achieve practical, reliable, precise and efficient operation. A piezo motor uses the ultrasonic vibrations (greater than 20 kHz) of a “stator” structure that is frictionally coupled to a moving slide or rotating shaft. Piezo motors with operating frequencies from 40 to 700 kHz are commercially available.
Simplifying BLDC motor control: A tailored solution delivers precision and efficiency
May 16, 2013 2:04 pm | by Wen Chien, Fairchild Semiconductor www.fairchildsemi.com | Articles | CommentsFrom the small vibrating motors in cell phones to the more complex motors used in household washing machines and air conditioners, motors have become everyday fixtures in the consumer world. The energy consumed by all these motors is significant...
Welcoming grandma into our virtual future
May 16, 2013 1:27 pm | by Joel Hans, Managing Editor, Manufacturing.net | Blogs | CommentsA virtual reality (VR) headset by the name of Oculus Rift made a big splash on Kickstarter, raising a stellar $2.43 million to get development kits into the hands and on the noggins of game developers. And now that the units have started to ship, people in the gaming community are getting treated to video after video of people wearing the goggles and trying to explain just how floored they are....
IDC connectors intended for harsh commercial, industrial, and energy applications
May 16, 2013 12:54 pm | Avx Corporation | Product Releases | CommentsAVX Corporation has introduced the latest iteration of its wire-to-board (WTB) insulation displacement contact (IDC) technology. Designed to provide a gas-tight, plated through-hole WTB termination, the new 9177-600 Series is compatible with the rugged power boards used to handle larger wire gauges and more amps per contact....
Transistor series is presented as highest power for radar and communications systems
May 16, 2013 10:08 am | Product Releases | CommentsM/A-COM Technology Solutions introduced a series of GaN in Plastic packaged power transistors for high-performance civilian and military radar and communications systems. The family scales to peak pulse power levels of 100 W, which is asserted to be the
Space not the final frontier for viewing movies
May 16, 2013 10:01 am | by SETH BORENSTEIN, AP Science Writer | News | CommentsThe crew of the International Space Station is boldly going where no one has gone before - to see the new "Star Trek" film. The three astronauts were offered a sneak peak of "Star Trek Into Darkness" days before it opens Thursday on Earth, seeing it not in 3-D, but Zero-G.
Google's products dig deeper into people's lives
May 16, 2013 9:56 am | by MICHAEL LIEDTKE, AP Technology Writer | News | CommentsIn the latest display of its technological prowess and sweeping ambition, Google is rolling out another wave of products and services that will test how much more people want computers to control their lives and enhance their perceptions of reality.
Experts: Smartphones another avenue for hackers
May 16, 2013 9:38 am | by TONY WINTON, Associated Press | News | CommentsSmartphones are increasingly popular not only with consumers, but also with thieves who see the devices as another way to tap into bank accounts and other sensitive information, experts say. Many consumers simply don't realize how vulnerable their Androids, iPhones and other devices can be. An April study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta said threats are proliferating....
Waterproof electronic enclosure family adds four new sizes
May 15, 2013 4:05 pm | Polycase | Product Releases | CommentsPolycase’s NEMA 4X rated WA, WC and WP Series of waterproof electronic enclosures has expanded to include four new enclosure sizes. Ranging from 2.28” x 2.52” to 14.12” x 7.84”, the plastic enclosures now host 17 different size options. The WA, WC, and WP Series are UL listed to UL508-4X and meet
Intelligent sensor hub integrates programmability, precision in a single package
May 15, 2013 3:40 pm | Freescale Semiconductor | Product Releases | CommentsFreescale Semiconductor is introducing a new Xtrinsic intelligent sensor hub that serves as an advanced sensor fusion platform. The Xtrinsic FXLC95000CL sensor hub integrates an on-board accelerometer with capability to manage multiple external sensors. The solution provides
Much ado about nothing: The impact of the medical device excise tax
May 15, 2013 1:32 pm | by Michael Lewis, Writer, Money Crashers Personal Finance | Blogs | CommentsStudents of military strategy learn quickly the advantages of choosing when and where to fight, rather than wasting resources on trivial issues. An impartial observer would wonder about the wisdom of the excessive rhetoric, over-the-top hyperbole, and political posturing surrounding the medical device excess tax.
MOSFETs deliver benchmark on-state resistance for improved system efficiency in heavy load applications
May 15, 2013 12:31 pm | International Rectifier | Product Releases | CommentsInternational Rectifier introduced a family of automotive-qualified COOLiRFET MOSFETs delivering benchmark on-state resistance (Rds(on)) for heavy load applications including electric power steering (EPS), braking systems and other heavy loads on internal combustion engine (ICE) and micro hybrid vehicle platforms.
Embedded vision system allows remote switching of PoE status
May 15, 2013 10:57 am | Adlink Technology Inc. | Product Releases | CommentsADLINK Technology announced the release of its new EOS-1220 GigE Vision-compliant embedded vision system, featuring 3rd generation Intel Core i7 quad-core processors, four independent PoE (power over Ethernet) ports, full compatibility with GigE Vision cameras and support for smart PoE APIs, allowing remote switching of PoE status.
Controllers designed for applications greater than 15 Amps
May 15, 2013 10:39 am | Oven Industries, Inc. | Product Releases | CommentsOven Industries is now offering a high-powered temperature controller mounted on a heat sink that creates a seamless transition between heating and cooling devices, as it serves as the commander of thermoelectric modules. With a bi-directional or unidirectional H-bridge configuration, the controller has many benefits.
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)
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.
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).
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.
Controller designed for aerospace, industrial, and laboratory applications
May 14, 2013 10:44 am | Highland Technology | Product Releases | CommentsHighland Technology announces the release of the V120 VME PCI Express Crate Controller for aerospace, industrial, and laboratory application. The V120 is a VME bus master crate controller, usable as a crate slot 0 arbiter or as a secondary controller. Each PCI Express cable driver board, in a PC backplane, can drive one or two V120s over standard, flexible PCI Express cable assemblies....
Astronaut exits space station with music video
May 14, 2013 9:27 am | by Marcia Dunn, AP Aerospace Writer | News | CommentsIn a high-flying, perfectly pitched first, an astronaut on the International Space Station is bowing out of orbit with a musical video: his own custom version of David Bowie's "Space Oddity." It's believed to be the first music video made in space, according to NASA. Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield's personalized rendition of "Space Oddity" was posted on YouTube on Sunday....
Big 4 cellphone carriers unite on anti-texting ads
May 14, 2013 9:18 am | by PETER SVENSSON, AP Technology Writer | News | CommentsThe country's four biggest cellphone companies are set to launch their first joint advertising campaign against texting while driving, uniting behind AT&T's "It Can Wait" slogan to blanket TV and radio this summer. AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint and T-Mobile will be joined by 200 other organizations backing the multi-million dollar ad campaign.
Combo MEMS inertial sensors motor their way to brisk growth in the automotive market
May 13, 2013 3:55 pm | News | CommentsCombo microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensors for automotive applications are off to another exhilarating ride this year as revenue continues to climb, spurred by rapidly accelerating use in car safety systems, according to an IHS iSuppli MEMS & Sensors Report from information and analytics provider IHS
Universal, digital sensor output driver includes 3.3-V sensor supply
May 13, 2013 3:22 pm | Product Releases | CommentsThe icHaus universal digital output driver iC-DX3/DXC3 enables compact sensors to be equipped with NPN, PNP, push-pull, and IO link-compatible output driver options. From an input voltage of 8 V to 30 V an integrated linear regulator provides the sensor electronics with a stable +3.3 V voltage and 10 mA
