Saying the government should lead by example, President Barack Obama is ordering the federal government to nearly triple its use of renewable sources for electricity by 2020. Obama says the plan to use renewables for 20 percent of electricity needs will help reduce pollution that causes global warming, promote American energy independence and boost domestic […]
Power Electronic Tips
50-watt DC/DC converter offers 4:1 input
[[{“fid”:”35264″,”view_mode”:”default”,”fields”:{“field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]”:””,”field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]”:””},”type”:”media”,”attributes”:{“height”:300,”width”:300,”style”:”float: right; margin: 5px;”,”title”:”TMX Series”,”class”:”media-element file-default”}}]]ConTech announces the “TMX” Series of DC/DC converters. The TMX Series offers up to 50 Watts of fully regulated output power with an industry standard 2 x 1” footprint. The series offers a 4:1 input range with nominal input voltages of 24VDC and 48VDC. Single outputs offered are 3.3, 5, […]
CPV technology today and tomorrow
Modern CPV equipment consists of a metal pedestal cemented into the ground onto which a large metal frame is mounted on pivoting supports thus enabling it to move on an x-y axis with the help of a gear-drive assembly. Many CPV modules, mounted on the frame, contain a dozen or more highly efficient multi-junction interconnected […]
Turning the world’s biggest landfill into a NYC solar power plant
In a recent Engineering Update, we took a look at Japan’s largest solar power plant, which boasts the capability of powering 22,000 homes with its 313 acre facility. Now, we’re checking out New York’s newest solar project. This solar facility will be located at Freshkills Park on Staten Island and was, at one point, considered […]
DC/DC converter designed to bias avalanche photodiodes in optical receivers
[[{“fid”:”35091″,”view_mode”:”default”,”fields”:{“field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]”:””,”field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]”:””},”type”:”media”,”attributes”:{“height”:400,”width”:400,”style”:”float: right; margin: 5px;”,”class”:”media-element file-default”}}]]The LT3905 is a fixed frequency, current-mode step-up DC/DC converter designed to bias avalanche photodiodes (APD) in optical receivers. The LT3905 features high side APD current monitoring with over five decades of dynamic range and better than 2% relative accuracy over the 3µA to 3mA range. The maximum APD current is […]
DC/DC controller drives over 250W of LED power
[[{“fid”:”34992″,”view_mode”:”default”,”fields”:{“field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]”:””,”field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]”:””},”type”:”media”,”attributes”:{“height”:400,”width”:400,”style”:”float: right; margin: 5px;”,”title”:”LT3797″,”class”:”media-element file-default”}}]]Linear Technology Corporation announces the LT3797, a triple output DC/DC controller designed to drive three independent channels of LEDs. Its fixed frequency, current-mode architecture delivers constant, accurately regulated LED current over a wide range of supply and output voltages. Its 2.5V to 40V input voltage range with transient ride through to […]
Medical desktop switcher features up to 94% efficiency
[[{“fid”:”34971″,”view_mode”:”default”,”fields”:{“field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]”:””,”field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]”:””},”type”:”media”,”attributes”:{“height”:300,”width”:300,”style”:”float: right; margin: 5px;”,”title”:”APS250EMG”,”class”:”media-element file-default”}}]]Advanced Power Solutions (APS) announces the release of the APS250EMG series of medical approved desktop switching power supplies with up 94% efficiency and <0.5W No Load Power Consumption for compliance to Level V standards. The APS250EMG series consists of 3 standard models offering single outputs of 12V @ 20A / 24V […]
Bio-based solar cell
RUB researchers generate electricity rather than biomass with photosynthetic proteins Researchers at the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB) have developed a bio-based solar cell. They embedded the two proteins photosystem 1 and 2, which in plants are responsible of photosynthesis, into complex molecules developed in-house, thus creating an efficient electron current. Headed by Prof Dr Wolfgang Schuhmann […]
Solar-powered battery woven into fabric overcomes hurdle for ‘wearable electronics’
Though some people already seem inseparable from their smartphones, even more convenient, wearable, solar-powered electronics could be on the way soon, woven into clothing fibers or incorporated into watchbands. This novel battery development, which could usher in a new era of “wearable electronics,” is the topic of a paper in the ACS journal Nano Letters. […]
A superconductor-surrogate earns its stripes
Berkeley Lab study reveals origins of an exotic phase of matter Understanding superconductivity – whereby certain materials can conduct electricity without any loss of energy – has proved to be one of the most persistent problems in modern physics. Scientists have struggled for decades to develop a cohesive theory of superconductivity, largely spurred by the […]