Surge protection 101
26 March, 2014 by Mike Smyth, specialist technical writerSurges or sudden bursts of voltage and current can be disastrous to electronic and electrical equipment and to the cables feeding them. Surge protectors limit the voltage getting through to equipment and often the feed lines, either by blocking it or diverting to earth voltages above a predetermined level.
A breathing battery
19 March, 2014Most electrical vehicles won't take you farther than 160 km on one charge. Japanese researchers are working towards increasing the range to 480 km or more with the help of a breathing battery that could one day replace the lithium-ion technology of today's EVs.
Imec achieves OPV cell efficiency of 8.4%
13 March, 2014Micro- and nanoelectronics research centre Imec has achieved 8.4% conversion efficiency in fullerene-free organic solar cells. The achievement is said to be an important step to bring organic photovoltaic cells to a higher level in the competitive thin-film photovoltaics marketplace.
Smart EV charging
10 March, 2014Researchers are incorporating a mix of renewables into the design of a smart grid for Germany's largest charging station where up to 30 electric cars can be recharged at a time.
The struggle for power and glory
05 March, 2014 by Mike Smyth, specialist technical writerTwo names representing two different technologies stand out like beacons among the thousands of names and inventions that were such a feature of the 19th century. These two, like boxers in a ring waiting for the contest to start, sparred and weaved in bids to make their beliefs the one the world would accept. But the two were not the inventors of the technology they so passionately believed in and strangely they are better remembered today as the inventors of the gramophone and the vacuum braking system used on trains throughout the world.
Eaton 5E UPS range
15 February, 2014 | Supplied by: Eaton Electrical (Australia) Pty LtdEaton has launched the 5E UPS, a range of power protection products designed for workstations, business telephony, routers and point-of-sale equipment. The unit is available in five models, ranging from 650 VA/360 W to 2000 VA/1200 W.
New technology provides super listening to hearing impaired
14 February, 2014Australian researchers have developed Super‐directional Beamformer technology which cuts though background noise to provide super listening to hearing impaired.
Researchers develop wirelessly rechargeable cochlear implants
11 February, 2014MIT researchers have developed a new, low-power signal-processing chip that could lead to a cochlear implant that requires no external hardware. The implant would be wirelessly recharged and would run for about eight hours on each charge.
Magellan Power iMCRII battery charger
07 February, 2014 | Supplied by: Magellan PowerThe iMCRII is an improved version of the MCRII battery charger from Magellan Power. Rugged, industrial and built for the harsh Australian climate, the MCRII can be customised to fit the requirements of a variety of projects. The iMCRII comes in a compact, modular form. The single plug-in module can be easily removed and sent back for serviceability.
Vishay Intertechnology TMBS 45 and 50 V rectifiers
07 February, 2014 | Supplied by: Braemac Pty LtdVishay Intertechnology has expanded its offering of TMBS (Trench MOS Barrier Schottky) rectifiers with seven 45 and 50 V devices. For automotive and commercial applications, the high current density rectifiers offer current ratings from 3 to 8 A and low forward voltage drop in the low-profile, surface-mount DO-221BC (SMPA) package.
Chewing gum-like material improves Li-Ion batteries
06 February, 2014Washington State University researchers have developed a chewing gum-like battery material that could dramatically improve the safety of lithium-ion batteries.
Composite paper leads to breakthrough in rechargeable batteries
31 January, 2014A Kansas State University engineer has developed a composite paper that can be used as a negative electrode in sodium-ion batteries.
Tektronix PA1000 power analyser
30 January, 2014 | Supplied by: element14element14 is the master reseller of the Tektronix PA1000 power analyser. The product provides highly accurate power measurements on single-phase power-electronic products.
Proton flow battery advances hydrogen power
24 January, 2014RMIT University researchers have developed a concept battery by combining the best aspects of hydrogen fuel cells and battery-based electrical power.
New hybrid anode could quadruple battery life
21 January, 2014 by Frances White, PNNLA hybrid anode made of graphite and lithium is expected to quadruple the life span of lithium-sulfur batteries.
