Articles
The capabilities of mixed signal scopes
The complexity of today's embedded systems designs is growing as engineers increase the use of advanced, high-speed micro-components in circuits to deliver smarter products to users in the computer, communications, defence and semiconductor industries
[ + ]Polymer processing could give cheaper displays
By chemically attaching a difficult-to-process solid-state fluorescent material to a universal polymer backbone, researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have built what may be a foundation for a new generation of optoelectronic display devices
[ + ]Shielding and surge voltage protection
In modern industrial plants, each part of the installation is subjected to a number of influences that may adversely affect the functioning and reliability of the entire facility
[ + ]Sensors coming to detect bioterror
In this time of the chronic threat of terrorism and with an adversary who may be armed with biological weapons, high on the wish list of security agencies is a quick and easy way to detect the presence of dangerous biological agents
[ + ]New system recovers and re-uses electronic wastes
Concern is rising among governments worldwide about electronic wastes - discarded computers, televisions, mobile phones, audio equipment and batteries - leaching lead and other substances that may seep into groundwater supplies
[ + ]Battery design for powering tiny devices
Though many people have never heard of them, the emerging realm of micro-scale devices - called microelectromechanical systems, or MEMS - could change the medical, automotive and aerospace industries, except for one thing
[ + ]New materials bring new reliability issue
Semiconductor device reliability can generally be broken into two parts: infant mortality failures and wearout mechanisms
[ + ]'Dirty little secret' threatens Moore's Law
Today's state-of-the-art chips have transistors roughly a micrometre in overall length. But this very success has brought the chipmakers to the brink of a steep, new obstacle to further gains in performance
[ + ]Strong copper that retains ductility
Combining old-fashioned metal-working techniques with modern nanotechnology, engineers at The Johns Hopkins University in the US have produced a form of pure copper metal that is six times stronger than normal with no significant loss of ductility
[ + ]Quantum-dot LED may be screen of choice for future electronics
MIT researchers have combined organic materials with high-performing inorganic nanocrystals to create a hybrid optoelectronic structure
[ + ]Speeding up the manufacture of super small-scale devices
Building a computer chip is a painstaking process. Once a chip is designed, a mask, or template, is created and used to transfer the fine circuit patterns to the surface of a silicon wafer
[ + ]Is the 'smart' battery a help or deterrent?
The battery has the inherent problem of not being able to communicate with the user. Neither weight, colour, nor size provides an indication of the battery's state-of-charge and state-of-health. The user is at the mercy of the battery
[ + ]Mass flow sensing for high accuracy measurement
Accurate flow measurement impacts process safety, throughput, recipe, quality and cost, affecting bottom line profit or loss. Obtaining accurate flow measurement begins with selecting the best flowmeter technology for the specific application media
[ + ]High temperature resistant
The trend to produce printed circuit boards (PCBs) using surface mounting technology (SMT) is becoming increasingly prevalent. One requirement for this technology is the provision of the majority of components built in a suitable way
[ + ]Thermal Overcurrent Circuit Breakers
ETA's 1410 is a single pole press-to-reset thermal circuit breaker with fast overload switching performance (R-type TO CBE to EN 60934). It is available with a single hole threadneck, PCB or integral mounting with a choice of designs. Its miniaturised construction minimises PCB real estate.
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