ABSOPULSE Electronics′ DIO 120 Series of DC/DC converters were developed for powering electronic circuits floating on several kilovolts of operating voltage. They are typically used for high power gate drivers and similar applications in oil and gas, mining, railway and industrial environments. The 120-W converters accept a single input 24 VDC or 48 VDC and […]
Power Electronic Tips
Engineer pushes environmental approach in processes
REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. — Words like green and sustainability are often used to refer to recycling, taking better care of the Earth, and new or alternative forms of energy, such as solar- or wind-power. Army engineer Gregory Harris would say it’s much more than that and is working to make that point to the Army […]
Corn-Feds: Army plans to power plants with plants
PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. — Picatinny has formed a partnership with private industry to develop a fuel cell that runs off ethanol, which could potentially power the Army’s ammunition facilities as an environmentally friendly energy source. A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that converts a fuel source into electricity. “The fuel cell technology would allow […]
Smart grid sensor market set to double in size by 2014
The market for smart grid sensors in North America is expected to grow dramatically during the next two years, according to a new study published by IMS Research, now part of IHS. The report, entitled “The North American Market for Smart Grid Sensors – 2013,” shows a major change is occurring in the feeder line […]
Japan set to become world’s largest solar revenue market in 2013
Japan’s solar installations surged by a stunning 270 percent (in gigawatts (GW)) in the first quarter of 2013, positioning the country to surpass Germany to become the world’s largest photovoltaics (PV) market in terms of revenue this year. Although Japan is forecast to install fewer GW than China (which is forecast to be the largest […]
Stanford scientists develop high-efficiency zinc-air battery
Stanford University scientists have developed an advanced zinc-air battery with higher catalytic activity and durability than similar batteries made with costly platinum and iridium catalysts. The results, published in the May 7 online edition of the journal Nature Communications, could lead to the development of a low-cost alternative to conventional lithium-ion batteries widely used today. […]
New technique to improve quality control of lithium-ion batteries
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Researchers have created a new tool to detect flaws in lithium-ion batteries as they are being manufactured, a step toward reducing defects and inconsistencies in the thickness of electrodes that affect battery life and reliability. The electrodes, called anodes and cathodes, are the building blocks of powerful battery arrays like those […]
Batteries that bend and flex will transform electronics, transportation
Imagine a TV screen that hangs on the wall like a poster and rolls up like a window shade — or a smartphone that can fold up and fit into a pocket. It may sound like science fiction, but those technological marvels are moving closer to reality, thanks to advances toward development of flexible batteries […]
40-Watt, 2” x 1” DC/DC converter offers a 4:1 input
ConTech announced the “TMF” Series of DC/DC converters. The series offers up to 40 W of fully regulated output power with an industry standard 2” x 1” footprint, and a 4:1 input range with nominal input voltages of 24 VDC and 48 VDC. Single outputs are 3.3, 5, 12, 15, and 24 VDC. Dual outputs […]
NREL and Stanford team up on peel-and-stick solar cells
Devices could charge battery-powered products in the future It may be possible soon to charge cell phones, change the tint on windows, or power small toys with peel-and-stick versions of solar cells, thanks to a partnership between Stanford University and the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). A scientific paper, “Peel and […]