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California Breaks the Law
 As reported in POWERnews, a bizarre new law in California could put the state in violation
of federal interstate commerce regulations. California not only doesn't
want to generate the power it loves to consume, it now wants to make
sure the power it buys from out-of-state producers is not generated
from coal.
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Using Cheap Fuel
 To be economically viable, power from biomass requires low-quality fuel. ISA reports that a new Belgian power plant will burn wood residue
with moisture content as high as 55%. The wood residue is to be
supplied by the local forestry industry, reducing the need for disposal
of same.
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Connectors Strechhhhhhh
 Researchers from Belgium have recently designed and fabricated
elastic interconnections that can stretch to more than twice their
original lengths. Expected uses are clothing and biomedical applications which
will require all connections to stretch like rubber bands while
maintaining conductivity. Biomedical applications include implantable
devices and smart band aids that measure physiological parameters.
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IC Extends Relay Life
 A patent pending integrated circuit from Hendon Semiconductors protects and extends relay life. As reported in Electronics Talk, the IC bypasses relay contacts with
a controlled triac and suppresses transients caused during relay
switching operation. This ensures contacts are not exposed to excessive
arcing present during switching and contact bounce.
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Acopian
AC-DC and DC-DC Power Supplies
Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Acopian manufactures AC-DC power supplies and DC-DC converters, programmable, wall mountable, DIN rail mountable, power systems, redundant systems, rack mountable, and high-voltage power supplies. Find every voltage from 0 v to 30 kV, and up to 1200 W.
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Littelfuse, Inc.
The Right Answer for Resettable Overcurrent Protection
Littelfuse has expanded its line of resettable PTCs, introducing new rating and packaging options that provide even more choices for resettable overcurrent protection.
A wide variety of surface mount and radial leaded devices with additional current and voltage ratings are now available in a broad range of applications. |
CWIEME Ltd.
Coil and Transformer Manufacturing
The largest gathering in the Americas of Coil & Transformer Manufacturing &
Repair Equipment, Components and Materials — Chicago CWIEME 2008. You
will see more manufacturers and supplies in three days than you would
see all year. You can also educate yourself at the new walk-in,
walk-out Inductica Conference.
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Connectors Unlimited, Inc.
Conductive and Static Dissipating Connectors and Components
Black Beauty(B2) utilizes static electricity-dissipating plastic to protect equipment and users from static discharge. A conductive plastic is also available which provides thermal or electrical properties. Both Black Beauty(B2) plastics can be custom molded to specifications. Connectors Unlimited has over a dozen patents in the connector market and custom manufactures high-quality interconnects for major OEMs.
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Easing RFID Integration
 Integrating an RFID reader into existing or new automation and information systems is difficult. MoreRFID reports on a new product from Siemens that addresses the integration issue by including multiple functions in one product.
The multi-tasking abilities include RFID reading, advanced event
triggering, pre-processing/filtering of RFID readings, wireless
networking, PLC control, and optical data matrix reader interfaces.
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"World's Most Sensitive Sensor"
 ScienceDaily reports that researchers have used the world's thinnest material to create sensors that can detect a single molecule of
a toxic gas. Expected advantages include a level of sensitivity
millions of times higher than any other gas detector. Typical
applications could be the detection of hidden explosives at airports
and deadly carbon monoxide in homes.
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Hope for Hard Disks
 If one could predict the dynamics of magnetic materials, it might be
possible to improve the performance of magnetic field sensors, magnetic
recording media, and similar electronic devices. Damping, for example,
is associated with noise and signal loss. That's why researchers at the
Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology are looking to quantify the
damping rates of iron, cobalt, and nickel. [Choose "Changing the Rings: A Key Finding for Magnetics Design."]
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Coming: Piezo Transformers
They're smaller in size and lighter weight; they can be mass
produced; and they welcome integration. In many ways, piezo
transformers look good compared to the coil-and-iron variety. As EE Times Europe reports, one German company has pushed the technology "beyond the stage of research." |
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VENKEL LTD.
Tantalum Chip Capacitors
VENKEL LTD. offers a full line of Tantalum Chip Capacitors.
This product line consists of two different series: Standard (TCM) and
Low ESR (TCR). Available in case sizes A through E, 4 V-50 V, in 0.1 µF
through 1000 µF. Contact VENKEL LTD. today.
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Okaya Electric America, Inc.
Okaya Releases New 4.3 in. TFT
Okaya introduces 480 x 272 pixel, 4.3 in. digital TFT with Built-in
VCOM, VGL, VGH circuits, integrated touch panel, and high-brightness
white led.
Contact sales@okaya.com for more information, or visit our Web site at www.okaya.com.
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HVR Advanced Power Components, Inc.
Resistors for High-Stress Applications!
Bring us your resistor problems! Our bulk resistor technology provides:
• Surge Energy
• High Voltage
• Non-Inductance
Our scalable technology ranges fractional watts to megawatts, standard parts or custom designed to your system.
• Medical electronics
• Industrial controls
• Pulsed Power
Visit us at http://www.hvrapc.com for the full story!
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Burns Controls Company
Contactors
3 & 4 Pole with AC & DC Operating coils. 9 to 780 AMPS rating Control Relays— 4 Pole — Overload Relays — Full range — UL — CSA — CE approved.
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Dice
Re-Engineer Your Career
DiceEngineering.com
offers thousands of high quality engineering jobs at top technology and
engineering companies — jobs for Electrical Test Engineers, Board Level
Designers, and Electronic Technicians.
At DiceEngineering.com, you can:
- Find jobs in your area of expertise
- Post your resume and let employers find you
Search now.
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Creative Producer or Commodity Provider?
 Your company and career may depend on how well you perform and manage innovation. Control magazine reports on a recent presentation by noted author Geoffrey Moore in which he explains why commodity providers "don't enjoy high margins." Key message: spend time and money on new ideas instead of focusing on current products.
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 Under the Xbox Hood
Game consoles drive many of the advances in personal computers, PDAs, and even cell phones. Join EDN magazine as they peer under the hood of
the new Microsoft Xbox 360 Elite. Manufacturing of key Xbox IC chips is
managed directly by Microsoft. Could the software giant start dabbling
further into hardware?
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