by Koji Ikeda, Sanken Electric Co. and K.C. Nishio, Allegro Micro Systems Over-temperature can be a problem in high-performance switching supplies. New power rectifier diodes build in safeguards…
A close look at the Level VI power supply spec
by Jeff Schnabel, CUI Inc. DOE power supply efficiency specifications target a broader array of power supplies to save energy and reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. Market enthusiasm for new…
Basics of designing with permanent magnets
by Stan Trout, Owner/Metallurgist, Spontaneous Materials It can be tricky to correctly specify magnetic materials for power circuits and actuators. An understanding of definitions and common properties serves…
Fear of Magnetics
by Leland Teschler, Executive Editor, @DW_LeeTeschler Does it really take a voodoo practitioner to design a switching power supply? You might think so judging by the “black art”…
Teardown: What’s inside a Phillips Sonicare electric toothbrush
by Leland Teschler, Executive Editor A novel ac rectification and coil-driving scheme may characterize the electronics found in this widely used oral hygiene instrument. The Philips Sonicare Elite…
Researchers 3D-print supercaps with aerogels
Super-compact ultracapacitors could come out of work now progressing at the Lawrence Livermore National Lab where researchers are extruding graphene aerogel on a special 3D printer. The 3D-printing…
Who are EEs likely to marry? A chart shows the probabilities
Back in the dark ages when I was in engineering school, there was a common perception that engineers were mostly likely to marry nurses. Thanks to work by…
Ametek acquires power protection supplier ESP/SurgeX
Ametek, Inc. says it has acquired ESP/SurgeX, a supplier of energy intelligence and power protection solutions. ESP/SurgeX provides on-site and remote power protection products used by industries to…
Now there’s a UL certification for hoverboards
The testing agency UL, once known as Underwriters Labs, says it will now accept self-balancing scooters, also known as hoverboards, as candidates for a new certification called UL…
Let’s all watch batteries blow up
Exploding batteries have been in the news lately. Here are five examples of what can happen to high-energy cells if things go bad. When a hoverboard battery goes…
