Although we take it for granted, versatile and widely used heat shrink tubing is the result of advanced material science, and is available in a broad range of varieties and options. Part 1 of this FAQ looked at the basics of HST and its history. This part looks at the many variations and standard options […]
FAQ
The basics of heat shrink tubing, Part 1
Although we take it for granted, versatile and widely used heat shrink tubing is the result of advanced material science, and is available in a broad range of varieties and options. Along with duct tape ad nylon cable ties, heat shrink tubing is an essential element in the engineer’s toolkit as well as manufacturing, production, […]
Testing transistors with a voltmeter
A bad transistor can sometimes be detected by its partly burned or distorted appearance, but more often there is no visible indication. One approach to troubleshooting is to substitute a known good component, but that is a costly way to go. Also, it is not reliable because an outside defective component can instantly destroy the […]
Gravity Probe B, Part 4: Brilliant Science, incredible engineering, but mediocre results: Disappointment and competition
An audacious and very costly orbiting science experiment set out to verify a subtlety of General Relativity by pushing the boundaries of science and engineering but ended with inconclusive and frustrating results. This is the final part of a four-part series on Gravity Probe B. What is the outcome and lessons of the GP-B experiment? […]
Gravity Probe B, Part 3: Brilliant science, incredible engineering, but mediocre results: Implementation
An audacious and very costly orbiting science experiment set out to verify a subtlety of General Relativity by pushing the boundaries of science and engineering but ended with inconclusive and frustrating results. Gravity Probe B was intended to measure the unmeasurable. Part 1 explored the principle, and Part 2 explored the plan of the experiment […]
Gravity Probe B, Part 2: Brilliant science, incredible engineering, but mediocre results: The plan
An audacious and very costly orbiting science experiment set out to verify a subtlety of General Relativity by pushing the boundaries of science and engineering, but ended with inconclusive and frustrating results. Gravity Probe B was intended to measure the unmeasurable. Part 1 explored the principle. This part explores the plan of the experiment and […]
Gravity Probe B, Part 1: Brilliant science, incredible engineering, but mediocre results: The principle
An audacious and very costly orbiting science experiment set out to verify a subtlety of General Relativity by pushing the boundaries of science and engineering but ended with inconclusive and frustrating results. On April 20, 2004, a Boeing Delta II rocket launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base carried Gravity Probe B into orbit and so […]
Will 5G make earth-bound radio telescopes impractical?
Though 5G is a promising technology, astronomers and Earth scientists are worried that 5G frequencies could interfere with the scientific use of previously quiet parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. The Federal Communications Commission recently came out with rules allowing experimental devices to use frequency bands between 95 GHz and 3 THz. Scientists see several problems […]
Applying large banks of supercapacitors
It pays to know techniques for mitigating leakage current and over- voltages in uses where several supercapacitors work in parallel. Michele Kinman Advanced Linear Devices Inc. In applications requiring rapid charge/discharge cycles or short-term energy storage, you’ll often find supercapacitors connected in series or parallel. However, there’s a potential problem when supercaps are wired together […]
Hot topic: Electric vehicle components get more sophisticated thermal models
The high electrical currents of fast charging are forcing designers to invent standard techniques for predictably modeling heat and cooling. Dr. Michael Ludwig, T&C Core Technologies TE Connectivity The only way electric vehicles (EVs) will ever catch on is if consumers can charge them up quickly. Consequently, manufacturers are developing high-power charging (HPC) schemes which […]