The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has 22 applications that could lead to 33 nuclear generating units. The next-generation U.S. nuclear power plants include standardized designs and modular containment vessels. This Power Magazine article notes that modularized construction has many advantages, but may not guarantee quicker construction or reduced costs. Key considerations include on-site space for prefabrication and available lifting capabilities. The modular approach offers benefits of a controlled fabrication environment, with reduced workspace competition and site coordination. Detailed engineering to critical tolerances, as well as extensive coordination among all parties, is demanded earlier in the engineering phase.

Multi-Contact offers special products and custom solutions for aeronautics, e.g. special mass connectors for aircraft maintenance. These connectors allow for immediate contact to the landing gear without intermediate piece, providing stable contact even at an angle. Suitable for various aircraft platforms. Visit www.multi-contact.com or contact Multi-Contact USA for more details.

The IMT40 is Imego's latest inertial measurement unit. Its 6000°/s and
500 g range make it ideal for high-dynamic applications requiring high accuracy such as crash testing, rocket-motion tracking, and sports. This IMU can be customized to fit your application. Learn more.

As the premium provider of precision CNC manufacturing services for the aerospace, military, medical, telecom, industrial, and transportation sectors, Loutech is looking to serve your needs. With over 22 years of experience, AS 9100 certification, and unsurpassed quality and pricing, we are there for you.

Industrial Test Equipment Co. manufactures power supplies, gas detectors, identification (ID) tags, and engraved nameplates. We can customize to meet all your requirements. Please visit us at www.industrialtest.com for more info.

Could smart devices interoperate on the smart grid the same way plug-and-play devices work with PCs? Electric Light & Power says Microsoft has taken a second step into the smart grid arena with its Smart Energy Reference Architecture (SERA). SERA is intended as a basis for integrating all aspects of smart energy technology.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has allocated $2.2 billion in the form of Clean Renewable Energy Bonds. The New York Times says money is available for solar, wind, hydropower and biomass projects. More than 800 power providers are the recipients, with California and Washington getting about $600 million of the total.

Many variables play a role when designing industrial signal connection systems. Cost and environment are obvious, and reliability is mandatory. But what about speed of installation and prevention of mis-mating? Can you minimize mis-wiring and delays during installation? This Connector Supplier article looks at 10 aspects to consider.

EE Times reports that Intel may delay supporting USB 3.0 in PC chip sets until 2011. Without chip set support, PC system makers must use separate controllers at higher cost. This could delay implementing the emerging technology. It also would cause problems for developers of products taking advantage of the high-speed interface.

If a standard power supply does not meet your requirements, use the online System Builder. We'll modify the specs, ratings, and configuration of a supply, combine several power supplies into a Multiple-Output Power System with the operating features you specify, and ship it within nine days!

ULTRALINE^® Allied Moulded's new line of fiberglass reinforced polyester enclosures. The ultimate in non-metallic enclosures, ULTRALINE^® was designed with an aesthetically pleasing modern cover to base contour and optional clear polycarbonate covers for instrumentation and automation applications where critical electronic equipment must be visible and protected from corrosive environments.

The H5 Active Line Conditioner actively monitors the load current, reacting to changes in load almost instananeously, while returning the true power factor to near unity. This dual-duty product accomplishes both objectives immediately upon installation without the need for a special commissioning process. Learn more.

Modified/customized standard enclosures and total custom enclosures at low cost, quick delivery, and excellent quality.

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The repeated maintenance cost of battery replacement for wireless sensors can be a drawback. Technologies under development can harvest milliwatts of power from sources including solar, vibration, thermal, and radio frequency (RF) waves. Sensors says that RF energy harvesting has potential for powering indoor building sensors.

Design News survey respondents say all engineers benefit from understanding sensors and electronics. Many engineers purchase microcontroller-based equipment, specify sensors, and are involved with software configuration. Fortunately, software programming and debugging tools have improved greatly in the last decade.

A MEMS accelerometer offers smaller size and lower power consumption, says PCWorld. The developer claims the sensor is 1,000x more sensitive than those in today's consumer devices. Visionary applications include installing sensor arrays on bridges and buildings to monitor the structures or even movement of the Earth itself.

Liquid processing methods offering massive throughput could apply to nanotube processing. Science Daily reports on Rice University research on how to dissolve large quantities of nanotubes in an acidic solvent. One challenge is developing processes to produce just one type of nanotube in bulk, instead of various configurations.

Xiamen SET can provide a wide range of Thermal Cutoffs from 0.5 A to 25 A rating currents which have been certified by UL, TUV, VDE, KTL, PSE, CCC, etc. SET can give customers many more options either in new product design or existing product improvement.

General purpose, power and high current, panel and DIN-rail mount single and three phase solid state, timing, electronic, 300 and 600 V sockets, optocouplers, DC power relays, PCB, programmable relays with and without displays, alternating, monitoring and protection, terminal block style, safety relays and modules, machine tool relays, electromechanical and solid state contactors, and more.

According to ISA's InTech, recent months have shown a small increase in demand for temporary and contract staffing. Engineers 'starting over' may need to consider this route by actively seeking out contractor jobs instead of traditional full-time employment. While contracting can offer rewarding pay, challenges and flexible hours — the downside is often increased travel and reduced stability. The American Staffing Association also suggests ways to build your brand by networking in the hidden job market.

This video shows a 400 ft warship, one of two designs under consideration, undergoing recent trials in the Gulf of Mexico. Both Littoral Combat Ships feature diesel engines and gas turbines capable of powering them at very high speeds up to 45 knots (52 mph). They also make use of steerable water jets for maneuverability in shallow waters. Their configuration is well suited for chasing down modern-day pirates. The Associated Press says that the U.S. Navy intends to pick one of the designs and build up to 55 ships.

Slide Back to Basics?

If you traveled back in time a century, how much technology could you recreate from first principles? What types of basic skills need to be preserved in the engineering field?