Up 150,000 MW of new wind and solar power is predicted for North America in the next decade. Power Engineering says this presents problems because the renewable power sources are variable and unpredictable. Modern gas and diesel generators are one solution for reserve generation because of their quick and reliable response.

To reduce the system average interruption duration index, Orangeburg, SC's Department of Public Utilities implemented a self-healing feeder solution. T&D World says the utility needed a cost-effective, scalable, and interoperable solution. The answer: automatic circuit reclosers and switches linked to centralized monitoring and control.

Programmable logic controllers (PLCs) are flexible, but often too complex and expensive for many applications. When a PLC is overkill, a programmable relay can be the answer. The relay is programmed at the factory. The resulting custom product is more powerful than a standard relay and cheaper than a PLC.

Need to terminate multiple lines of ultra-fine coaxial cable? Try this solution. Nano-miniature ruggedized connectors use a proprietary process of terminating signals and grounds on separate contact pairs. This design allows replacing multiple bulky single contact RF style connectors with a single multi-conductor coax connector.

Hot PCs run slower and fail more frequently, especially in large data centers where multiple machines can compound heat problems. Sensors magazine suggests cost-effective selective cooling. Wireless sensors hung from a data center ceiling relay temperature information to a centralized controller that delivers cool air where needed.

Large fireworks shows like the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular must closely control access to the pyrotechnics command center. RFID devices attached to badges provide authorized personnel an elegant access control solution. The attachments allow quick access, while alerting security to attempted unauthorized entry.

GPS systems work best outdoors with no overhead obstructions. Indoor and urban canyon positioning doesn't work as well. Determining height within buildings is a particular weakness. Small Times says one solution uses a MEMS-based digital barometric pressure sensor to determine height to ±0.25 m and also improves horizontal positioning.

MEMS-based accelerometers will drive up to one third of mobile phones by 2010; a market worth $1.6 billion in 2013. TG Daily says the iPhone 3GS uses a three-axis MEMS accelerometer, and the Palm Pre uses a MEMS accelerometer and inclinometer. The sensors enable features like automatic adjustment from portrait to landscape view.

Troubleshooting an intermittent problem can vex even the brightest techie. This EDN column recounts how one engineer solved a particularly tough problem by breathing on a printed circuit board component and causing it to fail. After testing a large number of failed and failing boards, he suspected that the cause of the problem was moisture. By breathing on a switch, the film of condensed water molecules from the engineer's breath proved the catalyst for problem resolution.

Lots of people just talk about the best way to attract young people to electrical engineering. But these electrical engineering students at Bucknell University decided to do something about it. Taking the ever popular and catchy theme songs from TV shows Happy Days, The Brady Bunch, Gilligan's Island, and Cheers — the students created their own words and fashioned some entertaining videos. The singing is surprisingly good, as is the camera work and video editing.

Your Greatest Troubleshooting Feat

Troubleshooting an intermittent problem can challenge your testing creativity. What's the toughest technical problem you ever solved, and what was the key that unlocked your solution?