Long-life pacemakers powered by plutonium-based thermal decay were implanted beginning in the 1970s, but better battery technology, safety concerns, and regulatory issues made them obsolete within a few decades. The long-term implications Q: Assuming the RTG version works well, what happens when the patient passes away? A: That’s when the RTG saga gets even more […]
Power Electronic Tips
SMD power inductor targets digital audio applications
Sumida Corporation, a leading manufacturer of electronic components and materials, has announced the launch of its new CDRH80D50 SMD Power Inductor. Inductance values range from 10 to 100µH, permitting a diverse range of circuit applications. The CDRH80D50 SMD Power Inductor is a ferrite drum core construction device with an air-gapped magnetic shield that reduces EMI, […]
A nuclear-powered cardiac pacemaker? Yes, but…. (Part 2)
Long-life pacemakers powered by plutonium-based thermal decay were implanted beginning in the 1970s, but better battery technology, safety concerns, and regulatory issues made them obsolete within a few decades. The technology Q: What did the nuclear pacemaker look like? How is it identified? A: The unit’s electronics are embedded in epoxy, with the plutonium power […]
FAQ on creepage and clearance: Part 3
Regulatory creepage and clearance requirements are increasingly affecting mainstream designs; understanding and meeting them is a complicated, multifaceted process. The final part of this article looks at an IC pair specifically designed for an enhanced creepage and clearance value, tools for helping with design, and also provides some “pre-electronics” perspective on the subject. Q: Are […]
Relay provides arc-flash protection in compact packages
The AF0025 series arc-flash relay is a cost-effective and OEM-focused solution that provides innovative arc-flash protection in a compact package. The relay significantly reduces arc-fault damage in AC and DC compartments by detecting the light from an arc flash using one or two optical sensors, and rapidly providing a trip signal. The compact design means […]
A nuclear-powered cardiac pacemaker? Yes, but…. (Part 1)
Long-life pacemakers powered by plutonium-based thermal decay were implanted beginning in the 1970s, but better battery technology, safety concerns, and regulatory issues made them obsolete within a few decades. Recently, I was surfing through my free over-the-air (OTA) TV channels and stumbled across a show from the 1970s called “To Tell the Truth” (there is […]
Schottkys in DPACK footprint offer drop-in improvements in power density, thermal performance.
Taiwan Semiconductor announces its new ThinDPAK family of ultra-fast-recovery Schottky rectifiers. ThinDPAK devices have the same footprint as standard DPAKs – but come in a thinner (1.33mm) package and offer superior power density and thermal performance. Fully AEC-Q qualified with a maximum operating temperature (Tj, max) of 175°C and typical reverse-recovery time of 25ns, ThinDPAKs assure […]
SiC Schottky barrier diodes deliver 5 A to 10 A
Bourns, Inc. announced it has expanded its 650 and 1200 V Silicon Carbide (SiC) Schottky Barrier Diode (SBD) product family with 10 new models. The 10 new models added to the Bourns SiC SBD line are designed to address the increasing power density requirements in the latest transportation, renewable energy, and industrial systems. Bourns’ expanded wide […]
Medical grade dc-dc converter now released
CUI Inc, a Bel group company, announces the release of its PTP15 Series — a 15 W, 5 Pin DIP isolated DC-DC converter, specialized for medical instrumentation and home medical supplies. Offering 4000 Vac isolation or 5600 Vdc isolation with a 2:1 input voltage range, the series is compliant with the IEC/EN 60601-1 and EN […]
Board-mount AC-DC converters cover 3 W to 40 W applications
XP Power announces the release of a family of single output, PCB mounting AC-DC power modules with power ratings from 3W to 40W that offer easy integration into BF (body floating) applications. Primarily, applications such as medical/surgical equipment, patient treatment/monitoring, and dental equipment will benefit from these new, compact solutions. The new MCE family comprises four […]
